Frustration at noise

LegacyUser

Hello,
I'm not 100% sure this belongs in this section of boards, but it is something I have a problem with and would like to sort.

I have recently moved apartments. The new apartment that I am in, I love it, great place inside...except there is a slight problem...and at the time of seeing the place, I did not anticipate this as a big problem.

Whats going on outside.

2.00 saturday morning I was crying from frustration in the living room from all the distrubance that was coming from the pub close to the outside of the apartment.

Went to bed at 11. The bedroom is at the front of the apartment. Outside this pub, there is a covered section for smokers. The noise coming from there was unreal. Laughing, screaming and shouting (in a "happy" merry sense). I looked out at 2 and saw people still leaving the pub and some still standing outside smoking.

One woman kept singing over and over the same stupid loud song.

Thought I was going to go mad. I opened the window to shout at one stage but just as I was about to scream "please shut up!" I thought "these people will probably laugh etc if I start screaming from the window".

Am very worried about this. Anyone any solutions or stories of their own? Am beginning to regret renting this place. Is there anything I can do?

Thanks.

Beruthiel

AnyAdvice? wrote:

Is there anything I can do?

try ear plugs
if that doesn't work
move

D!ve^Bomb!

there's nothing you can do afaik.. did you not notice a pub when you looked at the place.. no offence, but it's your own fault..

But i suggest you buy a pellet gun and have lots of fun:D

monkeyfudge

My local family recreation centre had to make changes, because someone built a house across the road from it and didn't like the noise of people leaving the bar at night. So now everyone has to leave in the evening from a side door.

You can find out about the Noise regulations here

Noise Regulations in Ireland

LegacyUser

Thanks for that Monkeyfudge. Will check that out.

As far as moving, I will loose my deposit on the place and cannot afford to loose it and pay another deposit for a new place.

I saw the flat and I thought that the pub was a reasonable enough distance away from the flat to not cause any disturbance. But I was wrong. Ever been wrong divebomb?

I am looking for a solution to the problem or suggestions on what to do as it is causing me distress. Assigning blame right now doesnt help me I think as I already feel low and worried enough.

It also occured to me earlier, this is a pub with a restaurant up stairs. What are the closing hours on a Friday night for such a place?

Do I have reasonable points to confront the bar manager/owner on? i.e that his punters legally should not be making noise outside the pub?

Any pub owners with opinions/suggestions too?

Thanks very much.

WhiteWashMan

Beruthiel wrote:

try ear plugs
if that doesn't work
move

obvious troll.

irlirishkev

Dear God I know how you feel!
There's nothing more intrusive than noisy people when you're trying to sleep.
Unfortunately however, it's not up to them to keep quiet. All they're doing is enjoying themselves in their local pub.
As previously mentioned, try ear plugs, but if it's really that bad, you should start looking around for a new place.
Is it just at the weekend that the pub opens late? Is it okay during the week?

Kev.

cajun_tiger

if its your apt facing the pub or club then there are certain things that can be done you can get your landlord(who didn't state the noise level problem before letting it to you) to get double glasing to stop noise penitrating your room.


we have the same problem i live in a family estate which for me was great as a child and thought it would be just as great for my daughter.. the problem now is we have students living one house away and have partys late into the night which sets the dogs off barking which wakes the kids up which keeps parents and grandparents up which makes it difficult to live with each other (being narky all the time)

we talked very nicely to them but it lasted about a week... we(neighbours and my own family) don't want to involve the police but might just have to...

Heathen

WhiteWashMan wrote:

obvious troll.

not necessarily.. i worked permanent 12 hour night shifts for two years and lived next door to a young family with the loudest 2year old in the universe.... but i brought ear plugs home and after a day or two of getting used to wearing them i was sleeping perfectly through the day.....

hope it helps... if you value your sleep as much as i do :D

later
macker

DonWeNow

Thats a bitch all right. Seems to me that noise levels in pubs and by people leaving pubs probably must be tolerated but noise created because people insist on smoking outside until 2am? Hmmmm. I wonder - would the law feel that there has been an unreasonable increase in noise levels?

monkeyfudge

Even if the pub put up a sign requesting it's patrons to respect the peace and quiet of the people who live near by, then it might do some good.

Give the pub a call and let them know that there is a problem. You're fortunate as I think you have a better chance of success with a business than you would going up against noisey neighbours. It can cause alot of hassle if you create friction with neighbours.

And I personally don't think ear plugs are a good idea, how would you know if someone had broken into your house, or if there was a a fire?

cajun_tiger

you can always call the police once they are out side of the pub grounds

BaZmO*

irlirishkev wrote:

All they're doing is enjoying themselves in their local pub.

That's the thing though, they are not enjoying themselves "in" their local pub, they are making noise outside the pub in a residential area (I assume?) at an unreasonable hour. If it was me and I was bothered that much I'd make a visit to my local Garda station for a bit of advice on the matter.

Oh, and to the original poster. You live above a pub and you were in bed at 11 o'clock on a Friday!!! What is wrong with you man?? You must be about 100 or something, yeah?

B.

[CrimsonGhost]

WhiteWashMan wrote:

obvious troll.

Troll yourself.

Seriously. Drop into any motorcycle shop and pick up a set of ear plugs. Roll them between thumb and forefinger for about 30 seconds. with one hand around the back of your head grab your ear and pull backwards, this opens the ear a bit more making insertion easier. With the other quickly push in the plug, it'll expand and not fall out. May feel a little funny at first but you'll quickly forget about it. Repeat and rinse.

Try a few different ones. Different ones work better, and/or will be easier to insert etc. Try not to do it when you've to get up early the next day unless you've a very loud alarm. Also suggest putting a smoke alarm beside your bed. It'll be loud enough to wake you should the worst happen.

StupidLikeAFox

and always remember, if ya cant beat them, join em!

The_Conductor

If people were leaving the Pub at 2AM in the morning- it obviously has a late night licence.

What I did before was ring up the pub and told the person who answered the phone that I was a journalist and was writing an article on the pub and would like to interview the owner- could they tell me who the owner is and give me contact details (have used this one on behalf of a few different people).

When you have the name of the owner write a polite little note to him, advising that you are a resident in the area and that patrons of his establishment have caused you disturbance with their noise at unreasonable hours. State that you will personally oppose any applications that he/she makes in the district court for late night licences, unless he or she agrees to remedial action to minimise the public disturbance that his/her patrons are causing.

Be reasonable, but be firm. Offer to meet with the owner to discuss any proposals that they may have, and provide follow-up feedback directly to them.

At the end of the day, it is not in the owner of the pub's interest that local residents are hassled or disturbed, and I think that you will find they are amenable to reasonable discussion with you on the matter.

S.

neuro-praxis

I can't give you any more advice than has already been very sensibly provided. So, in the meantime, light sleepers recommend buying a CD of white noise. This is basically a static kind of sound that will block out all of the noises around you and allow you to get a peaceful nights sleep.

Good luck. I'm a periodical insomniac and I know how frustrating it can be to not be able to get to sleep. I haven't slept a full night in nigh on four months now.

Gordon

light sleepers use white noise? That's interesting. White noise is practically the same as the sound TV snow makes.* Personally I wouldn't want to sleep with that racket going on while I try to sleep.

I use ear plugs while living next to a busy main street but smccarick's advice is great.


*also a good snare drum if gated

bug

http://www.threshold.ie/page.asp?menu=70&page=160

see the section on noise, mainly applies to noisey neighbours...but no harm in contacting the local authorities with an explanation of whats going on.

I moved into an apartment which I was shown in the afternoon, seemed fine, a first floor apartment off a tiny street in the city centre.

When I moved in, I realised that this tiny little street was used in the mornings by every f*cker in a car to avoid the main road traffic, and also the fact that their was a wall accross the road the same height as my apartment block meant that the sound reverberated.
It was hell, it served as an alarm clock though during the week and at the weekends when I was off, I just wore earplugs.

As for noise from weekend punters in the city centre, a basin full of water bombs is yer only man..

Victor

[strike] Petrol bombs [/strike]... eh, oops, sorry, thinking out loud

You can get ear plugs for under €1 in your local pharmacy, I found the foam type the best. They will block out the majority of noise, but won't block out your alarmclock. Once you are asleep, even if they fall out it should take something really loud to wake you (like rugger buggers doing the "Haka" at 9am Saturday ).

Pubs and the like are responsible for the behavior of the customers (they can deny the smokers re-entry) and this nuisance needn't be tolerated. A note to the publican / local Garda station (nuisance, drunk & disorderly, breach of the peace, drunk on premises) / council / licensing court will have effects.

TwoShedsJackson

I have found earplugs a godsend - get them and try them.

HJ Simpson

Pubs are responsible for the noise of customer outside their premises if they are still using the premises. Ie if they aren't just coming and going. Check with your local council regarding noise pollution resulting from smokers outside the pub.
HJS

LegacyUser

Thanks for the replies and suggestions!!

There are 2 things about wearing earplugs:

1. They are not very comfy and I find they dont work very good (could be the way I put them in). Ive tried wax ear plugs too and that was painful.

2. I guess what Im trying to say is that why should I wear ear plugs, if that pub is breaking the law? Am definately going to confront the manager/owner but have to get "smart" about the situation. Hence asking if anyone had similar experience or suggestions about this (even in a legal way).

Anymore experiences/suggestions, please share them! Help me to a good nights sleep.

Thanks.

Capt'n Midnight

to get white noise a tv or fm radio not tuned to a station will do it.

the concept is that intermittant noise is more disconserting than continous noise of the same level, you get conditioned to the white noise which masks other noises , or so the theory goes..

LegacyUser

Another weekend of frustration....

Does anyone know what the offical/legal closing time is for pubs?

The_Conductor

10.30AM to 12.30AM in the summertime, and 10.30AM to 11.30PM in the wintertime.

Keep in mind- late licences are ten a penny- but have to be applied for on a case by case basis.

S.

LegacyUser

Thanks for that.

So all week, even weekends, the closing time is legally 11.30?

is it 11 closing with 30 mins drinking time?

BaZmO*

AnyAdvice? wrote:

Another weekend of frustration....

Yeah same here. Had to crack one off myself the other night!!!

B.

cajun_tiger

have you searched any sites for this??

are youu in an uban area is it built up??
i can inquire futher if i knew a bit more of your situation


http://www.antaisce.org/press/editorials.html?id=140

cajun_tiger

http://www.feargalquinn.ie/m/mcjpo.htm

LegacyUser

Thank for the links! The more info I gather the better.

I have done some searching but I find contradictory information.

Like info on closing hours for pubs (even without late night licences) is contradictory.

The pub is in a housing estate (there is a square with some shops etc in the housing estate, along with the pub. Above the shops etc are apartments). I had to be up on the road at 7 this morning - there were people leaving the pub at 1.00 in the morning making noise - and you know what is even "funnier" in the sad sad sense? The people "beeping" each other goodbye in their cars at 1.00 in the morning, as they head home to their house to get a good nights sleep.!

Would they like it if I was outside their house like that when they are sleeping?

BaZmO*

AnyAdvice? wrote:

Would they like it if I was outside their house like that when they are sleeping?

But unfortunately if you were to say that to them I'm sure the response would be that they didn't choose to live beside a pub!

B.

LegacyUser

Ok Bazmo - dont ever work in politics or local council or anything!

The law is that if there is unreasonable noise coming from the pub at an unreasonable hour then that is unjust and unfair for residents.

Unreasonable = 01.00 Monday morning people screaming/shouting/car horns beepings out side this pub etc.

I chose to live near a pub not the noise.

BaZmO*

AnyAdvice? wrote:

Ok Bazmo - dont ever work in politics or local council or anything!

Don't ever work at anything? Eh, ok?

AnyAdvice? wrote:

I chose to live near a pub not the noise.

I was telling you what response you would get if you asked a group of drunk people how would they like it if the shoe was on the other foot.

AnyAdvice? wrote:

The law is that if there is unreasonable noise coming from the pub at an unreasonable hour then that is unjust and unfair for residents.

Well then there you go. If the law is there you shouldn't have a problem sorting it out.

B.

LegacyUser

It was a joke.

I am not partial to people telling me that there is a pub beside me making crazy noise at crazy hours and that I have to put up with it because I live beside it!

Thats not the way it works!

Anyone any more experiences/ideas let me know here (I have already emailed the Dept of Environ as to what the next steps/procedures are but havent heard anything yet)!

Cheers!

Chipboard

Speaking as someone who has worked in pubs for half his life (the bad half) I am amazed you people think a publican could do anything about the noice level even if he wanted to. Have you ever tried to control or influence someone who was drunk. Come to think of it, have you ever even had a drink. Its not possible to do. If you dont believe me watch 'Cops' or 'Airport' and you'll see perfectly logical reasonable people (cops % airport check in desk staff) trying to reason with drunks - IT DOESN'T WORK.

Sorry its not the result your looking for, and I know its not fair but you simply have to move. That pub could be there 100 years and your moved in last Friday week and think your going to change things - not a chance.

On a brighter note, you may be able to get some of your deposit back as he didnt warn you about the noise but dont hold your breath - I'm sure your landlord has been through the mill on this one and he probably rues the day he bought the place.

Sorry.

DEmeant0r

I live in the town and squashed between many pubs left, right and straight ahead. I just learned to ignore the noises. Are your windows double glazed? I find that it helps in softening the noises outside.

Victor

Chipboard wrote:

Have you ever tried to control or influence someone who was drunk.

It is up to a publican to make sure his customers aren't drunk (merry is one thing, scuttered is another).

StupidLikeAFox

hahahahahahahaha, when have ya ever seen a publican say, "sorry sir, you can put your money away, i dont want you buying MY overpriced beer, wouldnt it be an awful shame if you were to become intoxicated in a pub, heaven forbid!"

My god, next thing theyll be telling us that publicans shouldnt be putting out the ashtrays after hours....

LegacyUser

I saw that there was a pub near me from the very beginning - that didnt frighten me-I can live with some noise.

But crazy noise at crazy hours just isnt good enough. Ignoring it isnt an option either!

The publican cannot stop noise but he can control it or prevent it.

He can control it by, like one of the posters said at the beginning, moving his exit door to another part of the pub so that people dont spill out of the one door all night screaming and singing.

He could also abide by the law and close at the right hour. This way, everone is happy. Pub get its money, people get to sleep at reasonable hours.

I reported last week in this thread that last sunday night the pub had people spilling onto the street at 01.00 in the morning and making lots of noise.

Well last night, 11.55 and the pub was closed/locked-not a person to be seen anywhere. My guess is that someone else/people also had a complaint.

The dept of environ emailed there a few days ago lots of information and forms I can fill out for bringing action against these guys.