Does the music in pubs have to be so loud?

bobbygrant · 16-12-2013 03:22PM

Totally agree with the OP, I think bars seem to think customers want loud music or its what younger customers want but I am sure most dont, or maybe its because of the argument people drink more when the music is loud. The other thing is its usually mostly rubbish chart music.

I also hate when bands in pubs play their music too loud so you have to shout over them. No one came specifically to listen to them despite what they seem to think, they should only be in the background.

Napper Hawkins · 16-12-2013 03:37PM

cantdecide wrote: »

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

I'm not sure I understand you here, generic music is what makes the most money.

eviltimeban · 16-12-2013 04:20PM

Bog Standard User wrote: »

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

I would order it like this:

1. Lower the volume
2. Lower prices
3. Food
4. Toilets

Even with lower prices, if the volume is still too loud to have a conversation, then I'm going to stay away - I'll just go somewhere else or drink at home.

As for the music itself, it could be my favourite band, but I still don't want it on that loud. If I want to listen to music and not hear anything else, I'll put on earphones. It just struck me when I went to that pub recently (can I name it?) that, wow, I could only speak to one person and I had no idea what the others in the group were talking shouting about. I've nothing against loud music AT ALL (I used to be in a band, and I still listen to music too loud on my earphones), it just has its place. The pub isn't it.

Currently planning drinks with a few mates this weekend and not sure where to go - not only will everywhere be packed (expected and accepted), but I'm sure the music will be pumping as well.

Interesting that most people here are agreeing with the original post - no one here has said "no way man, I love it being so loud that I can't speak to anyone!"

eviltimeban · 16-12-2013 04:31PM

bobbygrant wrote: »

I also hate when bands in pubs play their music too loud so you have to shout over them. No one came specifically to listen to them despite what they seem to think, they should only be in the background.

Again, the fault of the venue as the band are playing through the venue's PA, and the sound engineer (normally employed by the pub) decides the level of the music. Not the band.

Chancer3001 · 16-12-2013 04:35PM

That's why the smoking room became so popular, even for non smokers

cantdecide · 16-12-2013 04:42PM

Napper Hawkins wrote: »

I'm not sure I understand you here, generic music is what makes the most money.

This kind of thing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSD4vsh1zDA

Puke. (151m views.... /shudder)

I'll elaborate:

What I mean to say is that in the history of humanity, we have had enough talent and produced and recorded enough music to keep every venue pumped with playlists that can keep the most and least discerning happy most of the time.

There's a place I go to regularly to play pool with some mates which isn't much of a music venue. One of the bar staff had a brilliant setlist of classic to modern pop and indie. Some really inspired choices in a cohesive order. Since she moved on, it's back to the pop chart dross played way too loud. We didn't realise how good we had it and have stopped going there as much now.

Links234 · 16-12-2013 04:55PM

bobbygrant wrote: »

I also hate when bands in pubs play their music too loud so you have to shout over them. No one came specifically to listen to them despite what they seem to think, they should only be in the background.

Actually, a lot of people do go to pubs that have live music specifically to experience live music. It is a big draw for a lot of people, and some pubs do their best business when they have bands playing because of this.

I don't get After Hours most of the time, you guys seem to complain that every pub isn't exactly the same, you complain about craft pubs not serving the usual lagers you get everywhere else. Either you seem to think your tastes should be the only ones catered for, or you don't realize there's a diverse market out there and lots of people have different tastes and some pubs try to attract those people. A lot of people go to pubs for music, be it live or a specific genre pub, and a lot of other people go for different reasons too.

There's plenty of pubs I hate, I can't stand the average 'Oirish' tourist trap, or pubs that have pool tables because they seem to attract a certain type, I hate gay bars, and so I go elsewhere because they're not my thing. I don't go complaining that every pub in the country should have Hogwarts Bukkake on tap, I go to a pub that suits me.

chakotha · 16-12-2013 05:47PM

It's always done my nut in when the music in a pub has to be roared over. Clubs are fine but not pubs. I'm not much of a live music fan really unless the band is f-in brilliant.

LOSTfan57 · 16-12-2013 05:51PM

Well if you dont like the music in a pub surely you can go to a pub you like????? Rather than expecting the pub to change to suit one complainer??? I dont think any publican will change what is obviously a winning formula for them. If you dont like loud pubs go to quiet pubs, if you dont like quiet pubs go to loud pubs? Surely this is easily solved????

bodhrandude · 16-12-2013 06:12PM

The problem with pubs and loud music is that some pubs just have cheap stereo systems or amplification, so when its blasted out the sound comes out distorted and irritable. There are certain pubs who get it right, the sound system in the Button Factory for instance, the incidental music being played before live acts come on, I found I could have a decent conversation with most folk while the music was blasting away, good solid state speakers where the sound balance is perfect.

The Blue Note in Galway has a decent sound system where music is pumping but there is a mixing desk involved where the sound is not compressed or distorted, it sounds clear and you can hear what the next person is saying to you quite clearly.

rubadub · 16-12-2013 06:28PM

LOSTfan57 wrote: »

Rather than expecting the pub to change to suit one complainer???

Just because people don't complain doesn't mean they are fine with it. Many people just grin & bear it, like they tolerate atrociously poor selections of drinks, 12 types of vodka, 1 stout :rolleyes: -pathetic.

I remember being in 1 a while ago with music blaring and commenting to my friend that I doubt there is a single person in this pub who would want the music at this level, let alone louder.

I stuggle to think of any time where I heard anyone I know complaining that music was too low.

LOSTfan57 wrote: »

I dont think any publican will change what is obviously a winning formula for them.

Is it winning though? have they really seen significant fall off in trade with it being lower. It would be interesting to see a study. I would certainly not trust the word of many idiot publicans, the type who are paying €35+ for a crate of heineken bottles and then claiming supermarkets are below cost selling. The same publican who has an off licence brimming with a huge selection of beers yet seemingly presume no customers what that when out. The ones who blindly copy all the other ones like sheep.

looking_around · 16-12-2013 06:39PM

I can't stand loud music(/sounds). I stay away from any pub blasting it and wear ear plugs to the disco.
Whatever about live bands, stereo music should be lower.
I'm not sure it's true that people drink more when they can' talk. Those that want to chat will just leave, if they stop in at all.

In saying that loud music pubs often seem the busiest, so maybe most people 'need' the excuse not to talk when out with their 'friends'.

Don't often come across pubs with the music level as background only.

wandatowell · 16-12-2013 06:41PM

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.

Ive often thrown this on the locals jukebox about 5 or 6 times in a row

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4Bl_VQ2inM

the confused looks on peoples faces in great craic

cloudatlas · 16-12-2013 06:42PM

I think they could at least turn the music down in the morning/afternoon so that people who want to come in and have a quiet pint and a read of the paper can do and then turn it up for the after work crowd.

dd972 · 16-12-2013 06:43PM

To prevent people talking about s**t that matters?

renegademaster · 16-12-2013 07:12PM

Links234 wrote: »

I don't get After Hours most of the time

if the skies opened up and jesus christ himself appeared if wouldn't be good enough for some people!!

enfant terrible · 16-12-2013 07:19PM

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:

Electric Six - Gay Bar

spiralism · 16-12-2013 07:38PM

I do like live music but it can be irritating that in every single pub at nighttime its near enough guaranteed to be loud as **** and my hearing isnt amazing (at 23, worryingly) so i tend to camp the smoking area most of the time, though i dont really smoke and have asthma. But it's hard to say that there shouldnt be live music...i dunno, it's probably on of the reasons why many around my age still prefer just to predrink instead

Mint Aero · 16-12-2013 07:50PM

I dont get this less talking means more drinking bollix, it does in me beautifully firm hole. If anything you spend more time crouched into someones face shouting HEH?! than drinking.

I've never ever gotten drunk in a club or a place with loud music...never. I have gotten drunk in normal pubs. It takes good convo to get the drink flowing imo. If I can't talk because of loud music, I'm not going to suddenly turn into a fish. By that logic I should be pissed right now since I'm sitting at home on me own with no one to talk to but no, I'm not, only had one whiskey.

Stupid nonsense so it is.

myfriendtom · 16-12-2013 08:03PM

I was in a certain "several floors of fun " bar in temple bar on Friday night and they had a lad on playing guitar and singing. It was so loud you literally couldn't hear the person sitting across from you and the place was packed with people sititing at table's, looking disgruntled. We left pretty quickly and I'm sure others did the same.
When you're in a bar rather than a night club, and you can't talk amongst your group, it's too loud

riclad · 16-12-2013 08:34PM

I go to pubs, to talk, have a drink,
i know some pubs have live music,gigs,etc thats for tourists or people who like live music, .
I do,nt see the point of going to a pub with loud music,
thats like going to a bakery and buying stale bread.
A bit of quiet backround music is ok.
if i,m in a pub with sky news on,or sport on the tv,
well i leave as quick as i can.
even small towns have 2 or 3 pubs,
move on if you don,t like it

IF YOU are looking for a quiet pub ,stay away from temple bar.
WELL theres plenty of pubs in dublin, that dont play loud music ,
or maybe have a tv on, but the sound is at a low level.

sparksfly · 16-12-2013 08:57PM

renegademaster wrote: »

if the skies opened up and jesus christ himself appeared if wouldn't be good enough for some people!!

Not if he made a whole lot of noise while appearing.

eviltimeban · 16-12-2013 09:57PM

LOSTfan57 wrote: »

Well if you dont like the music in a pub surely you can go to a pub you like????? Rather than expecting the pub to change to suit one complainer??? I dont think any publican will change what is obviously a winning formula for them. If you dont like loud pubs go to quiet pubs, if you dont like quiet pubs go to loud pubs? Surely this is easily solved????

Well that's the thing, I don't often get to choose the venue. Someone says "We're meeting in xyz bar" and you have to go. I know there are quiet pubs, I could go to the Palace or some old man's bar but that's not where I was. It is just a trend in certain places where the music is so so loud, especially if they have a "DJ" playing the tunes.

Now that's all well and good, I'm all for DJs and live music and club music and whatnot, and a great DJ in a good club is the best thing for a night out. But the particular place I was in was a reasonably cool place, at least, the people looked fairly chilled out, and it could've been a good place for a drink and a bit of craic. I've never been there before but the chances are I won't go again. It might have been a one off thing, but still. It happened that night and that coloured my opinion of the bar.

eviltimeban · 16-12-2013 09:58PM

And for the record I've never once asked any place to turn down the music. But this thread has suggested to me that I probably wasn't the only person in the place who would've liked the music quieter. It's just that we're so used to it, we say nothing.

The irony is I liked the music they were playing. It was just playing too loud.

IRLConor · 17-12-2013 12:20AM

eviltimeban wrote: »

And for the record I've never once asked any place to turn down the music. But this thread has suggested to me that I probably wasn't the only person in the place who would've liked the music quieter. It's just that we're so used to it, we say nothing.

FWIW, the few times that my friends have asked for the music to be turned down they got told no (mostly politely, but not always).

The only time I've had success in getting music turned down is in a taxi, and then only grudgingly. :rolleyes:

Does the music in pubs have to be so loud?

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