Does the music in pubs have to be so loud?

eviltimeban · 16-12-2013 11:01AM #1

Call me an old codger, but all my life I've had a problem with too-loud music in pubs. Clubs, sure, because you're there to dance, but pubs? I was in *a cool bar* last weekend, nice spot, pretty chilled out, and actually was some nice roots reggae music playing, but it was about 20% too loud to the point that everyone was shouting at each other. It meant you could only have a conversation with one person at a time.

I know there are "old man" pubs that have little or no music playing, but music does add atmosphere and I like it in the background. Key word: background. Anyone agree / disagree?

What's the argument for having shouting-level music in pubs?

gifted · 16-12-2013 11:05AM

Leave the pub

Dravokivich · 16-12-2013 11:06AM

Well yeah, sure, how'd I hear it over everyone talking?

SeaFields · 16-12-2013 11:08AM

Doctor Jimbob wrote: »

Less talking, more drinking = more money.

I know that's the theory but i think that when you are able to have the craic and banter amongst yourselves the pints start to flow.

Duggy747 · 16-12-2013 11:09AM

In my local there does be quite a battle on the jukebox with people mixing it up from dubstep to Kenny Roger to Pitbull to Garth Brooks.

It's like a setlist from hell.

spank_inferno · 16-12-2013 11:10AM

The music is louder so you cannot chat & therefore drink quicker.

We deserve a better brand of pub.

Links234 · 16-12-2013 11:12AM

Pick a different pub, I don't go into Bruxelles or the Gypsy Rose when I'm in Dublin to have a quiet pint, the music is a big draw for a lot of people, especially if it's a specific genre of music as it can be a fantastic experience to be immersed in music you have a passion for. 90% of the time when I'm going for a drink though, I'll go somewhere quiet, but there's plenty of choice for all out there.

pawrick · 16-12-2013 11:12AM

Had same problem last xmas in a pub. 20 of us on a work night out left after repeatedly asking for the music to be turned down a little so we could at least hear the person next to us. Their loss in the end for not compromising, obviously they didnt need our custom so we took it elsewhere.

greenflash · 16-12-2013 11:12AM

Keep the music turned up I say. Since the smoking ban we can smell everyone's Guinness farts, there's no need to hear them too.

Links234 · 16-12-2013 11:14AM

Duggy747 wrote: »

In my local there does be quite a battle on the jukebox with people mixing it up from dubstep to Kenny Roger to Pitbull to Garth Brooks.

It's like a setlist from hell.

I like to troll places like that by putting on Tom Waits, one time I put on What's He Building In There? and the barman was about ready to murder me to death :pac:

eviltimeban · 16-12-2013 11:16AM

I don't frequent the louder ones generally, in this case it was a meeting point that someone had chosen. I prefer a quieter pub but in fairness I don't want a dead place so a bit of atmosphere and cool music is always good!

The summer is great because you can stand outside - even in winter, some pubs are good for that. As are smoking sections, they're a bit of a godsend in fairness as the music tends to be not heard and its a little more chilled! Ever notice that that's where people go to have a chat? If only it weren't so smokey!

eviltimeban · 16-12-2013 11:17AM

Links234 wrote: »

I like to troll places like that by putting on Tom Waits, one time I put on What's He Building In There? and the barman was about ready to murder me to death :pac:

My old local had the white album, of course "Revolution 9" got played... plus any long Pink Floyd song!

irish_goat · 16-12-2013 11:17AM

Links234 wrote: »

I like to troll places like that by putting on Tom Waits, one time I put on What's He Building In There? and the barman was about ready to murder me to death :pac:

A few of the Vengaboys top hits is also a nice evil thing to do. :pac:

gobnaitolunacy · 16-12-2013 11:23AM

An Elfin' Safety check on decibel levels would quieten them, I'm surprised that they can get away with industrial grade noise.

When you see bar staff wearing ear plugs, it's a sign the place is too loud,

Links234 · 16-12-2013 11:26AM

irish_goat wrote: »

A few of the Vengaboys top hits is also a nice evil thing to do. :pac:

A while back I saw Devin Townsend live, not this year, but the time before that. Normally at a metal gig, before the show they'll be playing some random metal songs before the bands come on stage, but good old Devy had better ideas and had them play the cheesiest pop music imagineable... queue a venue packed full of metalheads bouncing around to this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zbi0XmGtMw

That was fun :pac:

iDave · 16-12-2013 11:28AM

eviltimeban wrote: »

Call me an old codger, but all my life I've had a problem with too-loud music in pubs. Clubs, sure, because you're there to dance, but pubs? I was in *a cool bar* last weekend, nice spot, pretty chilled out, and actually was some nice roots reggae music playing, but it was about 20% too loud to the point that everyone was shouting at each other. It meant you could only have a conversation with one person at a time.

I know there are "old man" pubs that have little or no music playing, but music does add atmosphere and I like it in the background. Key word: background. Anyone agree / disagree?

What's the argument for having shouting-level music in pubs?

I'm 28 and I'm in total agreement.

anncoates · 16-12-2013 11:35AM

eviltimeban wrote: »

Does the music in pubs have to be so loud?

Yes.

Yours sincerely,

Young People

dan1895 · 16-12-2013 11:38AM

Myself and the wife like to head to one of our locals on the occasional Sunday evening, usually for a late dinner if I've been working late and she's been shopping all day. Its nice and relaxed, mellow background music, not too many people there, very easy going. Until 10 o'clock when, no matter what kind of crowd is in, the music changes to pop and dance music and played at full blast. That's our cue to finish our drinks and head home.

Cienciano · 16-12-2013 11:38AM

Doctor Jimbob wrote: »

Less talking, more drinking = more money.

The flip side is that people leave because it's too loud.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 16-12-2013 11:40AM

Cienciano wrote: »

The flip side is that people leave because it's too loud.

old people
then they can fit more attractive young people in

eviltimeban · 16-12-2013 11:43AM

Ah yes but when I was younger I still didn't like it - in your early 20s you still can't hear what anyone is bloody saying.

Agree with getting attractive people in. But then you have to shout at them if you wanna chat them up! :-)

kowloon · 16-12-2013 11:44AM

I can't hear people in pubs any more. Loud music is responsible for a lot of the damage in the first place. People just assume I'm quiet, but the reason I sit there and nod is my complete inability to make out anything they say.

Legs.Eleven · 16-12-2013 11:47AM

Duggy747 wrote: »

In my local there does be quite a battle on the jukebox with people mixing it up from dubstep to Kenny Roger to Pitbull to Garth Brooks.

It's like a setlist from hell.

I've got **** hearing, so find it difficult to follow conversations in groups in pubs so have to do a lot of pretending I understand. If I speak to someone, they have to shout right into my ear for me to understand them and I do the same to them forgetting that not everyone is as hard of hearing as myself. People must find me very intense. Used to be better when I smoked and I'd hang around the beer garden most of the night.

Obviously it made perfect sense that I decided to move to the city with the loudest bars in the world (fact). I can't hear a bleedin' thing anyone is saying EVER!

cantdecide · 16-12-2013 11:59AM

Links234 wrote: »

especially if it's a specific genre of music as it can be a fantastic experience to be immersed in music you have a passion for.

I'll never understand why people with a lip for generic music get to call the shots in mainstream pubs.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

old people
then they can fit more attractive young people in

What about us old attractive people? I got my zimmer frame chromed specially for impressing the yungwans but my hearing aid just blares

/sits and rests with Werther's Originals

renegademaster · 16-12-2013 03:10PM

eviltimeban wrote: »

Call me an old codger, but all my life I've had a problem with too-loud music in pubs. Clubs, sure, because you're there to dance, but pubs? I was in *a cool bar* last weekend, nice spot, pretty chilled out, and actually was some nice roots reggae music playing, but it was about 20% too loud to the point that everyone was shouting at each other. It meant you could only have a conversation with one person at a time.

I know there are "old man" pubs that have little or no music playing, but music does add atmosphere and I like it in the background. Key word: background. Anyone agree / disagree?

What's the argument for having shouting-level music in pubs?

if you have to shout to be heard and only by one person at a time then the music is too loud and i'd have no problem protecting my hearing by demanding it be turned down a little!!

renegademaster · 16-12-2013 03:11PM

Doctor Jimbob wrote: »

Less talking, more drinking = more money.

it's like the sun and the wind trying to blow the coat off your man, sometimes the more subtle approach works best

Santa Cruz · 16-12-2013 03:12PM

eviltimeban wrote: »

Call me an old codger, but all my life I've had a problem with too-loud music in pubs. Clubs, sure, because you're there to dance, but pubs? I was in *a cool bar* last weekend, nice spot, pretty chilled out, and actually was some nice roots reggae music playing, but it was about 20% too loud to the point that everyone was shouting at each other. It meant you could only have a conversation with one person at a time.

I know there are "old man" pubs that have little or no music playing, but music does add atmosphere and I like it in the background. Key word: background. Anyone agree / disagree?

What's the argument for having shouting-level music in pubs?

Shockin altogether/ And as for dem young wans with the short skirts, if it wasn't for dem I wouldn't go near the place

renegademaster · 16-12-2013 03:17PM

anncoates wrote: »

Yes.

Yours sincerely,

Young People

what? what ya say there? we can't hear you cos of all the years of loud pubs before you lot got out of nappies lol

eviltimeban · 16-12-2013 03:20PM

My hearing's wrecked from all the acid.

anncoates · 16-12-2013 03:26PM

renegademaster wrote: »

what? what ya say there? we can't hear you cos of all the years of loud pubs before you lot got out of nappies lol

I'm old too. :pac:

I was merely phrasing my post in the manner of Getting Down With The Youth.

Bog Standard User · 16-12-2013 03:38PM

the vfi should be see this thread.

they complain pubs are empty.

so here is how you fill them again

1. lower prices
2. lower the volume of the music
3. better food
4. cleaner toilets

Does the music in pubs have to be so loud?

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