Manchester, NH Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Approval authority
- Chief of Police or designee
- Who's covered
- Businesses licensed to sell alcohol
- Approval form required
- Must be in writing
- Ordinance adopted
- December 3, 1996
- Penalty basis
- § 130.99, fine per RSA 47:17
Summary
Manchester bars any business that sells alcoholic beverages from offering exotic or unusual entertainment, including exotic dancing, wet T-shirt and body contests, unless the Chief of Police first approves it in writing.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any business entity that sells alcoholic beverages to the general public to offer or allow exotic/unusual entertainment without first having received written approval from the Chief of Police or his designee. (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage or participate in any exotic/unusual entertainment in any location where alcoholic beverages are served to the general public unless that business entity has first received written approval from the Chief of Police or his designee.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-25: current through Ord. passed 6-3-2025).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 130.12, a business entity licensed to sell alcohol to the public may not offer or allow "exotic/unusual entertainment" without prior written approval from the Chief of Police or his designee, and performers likewise may not take part in such entertainment at any alcohol-serving location absent that same written approval. The code defines exotic/unusual entertainment broadly to include male and female exotic dances, swimsuit contests, wet T-shirt contests, hot legs contests, best/hard body contests, tattoo contests, and toga parties. The section, adopted by ordinance on December 3, 1996, ties the requirement to protecting property values and public morals near alcohol-serving establishments.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 130.12 is punishable under the General Offenses chapter's penalty section, § 130.99: a fine up to the maximum allowed by RSA 47:17 or other law. Both the business and any performer who proceeds without written Chief-of-Police approval can be cited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Manchester require a permit for exotic dancing at a bar?
What counts as "exotic/unusual entertainment" in Manchester?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manchester
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Adult Entertainment in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle adult entertainment.