Obnoxiously loud bar - is there anything that can be done?

Pen Rua

I was at a friend’s house this past weekend. They live in a part of Galway with several bars and noisey spots.

Over the last few weekends, one particular venue has had incredibly loud music each Friday and Saturday night.

My friend says this is consistent each weekend. The music is louder than any of the other venues and goes on longer than any other. The others are bearable but this one goes OTT.

In short, is there a possible solution? Is there scope for the city council to do something? Or better to go direct to the particular venue? She understands she lives in a busy part of the city, but this venue is just going way too far.

ben.schlomo

Pen Rua wrote: »

I was at a friend’s house this past weekend. They live in a part of Galway with several bars and noisey spots.

Over the last few weekends, one particular venue has had incredibly loud music each Friday and Saturday night.

My friend says this is consistent each weekend. The music is louder than any of the other venues and goes on longer than any other. The others are bearable but this one goes OTT.

In short, is there a possible solution? Is there scope for the city council to do something? Or better to go direct to the particular venue? She understands she lives in a busy part of the city, but this venue is just going way too far.

Same as I said earlier today in another thread, email the relevant dept in the council, if it's outside of what the venue is allowed then they'll enforce whatever the guidelines/rules are.

godfrey

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Same as I said earlier today in another thread, email the relevant dept in the council, if it's outside of what the venue is allowed then they'll enforce whatever the guidelines/rules are.

Noise complaints are tricky, as a nuisance is subjective. First of all, no one has a right to silence, and of course I understand this isn't what's being mentioned here. As a result, noise complaints are judged by several factors, one being the nature of the noise (animals, industrial, music, and so on) and another being the level of the noise above normal, ambient noise, eg: traffic. The time of day and the pattern is also taken into consideration.

In order to successfully bring a noise complaint, it has to be measured and proven, scientifically that there is a real nuisance. Metering, measurement at appropriate times and locations by a qualified person, and a report submitted. Unfortunately, the onus is on the complainant to produce evidence of a nuisance. This can be costly, and there is no guarantee of a successful outcome.

The reason I'm going to the trouble to write this is I have professional experience in this field and I hope people benefit from my experience. There are many myths about noise complaints, and everyone is 'an expert' with many more opinions on the matter. The council is the place to start. They will hopefully put you in contact with someone sympathetic in the appropriate department.

Possible outcomes include remedial work to the premises from which the noise emanates, like double glazing, porches, treatment of their roof or walls, to reduce the noise measured at the boundary of their premises.

Any external loudspeakers may be limited to a certain level, or even switched off.
Bands playing inside or outside may be limited, or not allowed play at all.

Another outcome may be installation of improved glazing in adjacent premises, to control the noise experienced by neighbours.

I do not take on noise complaint work any more, but there are specialists all over the country who do.

I hope you have a successful outcome.

g

ben.schlomo

godfrey wrote: »

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Same as I said earlier today in another thread, email the relevant dept in the council, if it's outside of what the venue is allowed then they'll enforce whatever the guidelines/rules are.

Noise complaints are tricky, as a nuisance is subjective. First of all, no one has a right to silence, and of course I understand this isn't what's being mentioned here. As a result, noise complaints are judged by several factors, one being the nature of the noise (animals, industrial, music, and so on) and another being the level of the noise above normal, ambient noise, eg: traffic. The time of day and the pattern is also taken into consideration.

In order to successfully bring a noise complaint, it has to be measured and proven, scientifically that there is a real nuisance. Metering, measurement at appropriate times and locations by a qualified person, and a report submitted. Unfortunately, the onus is on the complainant to produce evidence of a nuisance. This can be costly, and there is no guarantee of a successful outcome.

The reason I'm going to the trouble to write this is I have professional experience in this field and I hope people benefit from my experience. There are many myths about noise complaints, and everyone is 'an expert' with many more opinions on the matter. The council is the place to start. They will hopefully put you in contact with someone sympathetic in the appropriate department.

Possible outcomes include remedial work to the premises from which the noise emanates, like double glazing, porches, treatment of their roof or walls, to reduce the noise measured at the boundary of their premises.

Any external loudspeakers may be limited to a certain level, or even switched off.
Bands playing inside or outside may be limited, or not allowed play at all.

Another outcome may be installation of improved glazing in adjacent premises, to control the noise experienced by neighbours.

I do not take on noise complaint work any more, but there are specialists all over the country who do.

I hope you have a successful outcome.

g

This obviously isn't the case in all instances, I produced no evidence whatsoever. Sent an email, council replied, speaker was removed a couple of weeks later. Nothing like what you're saying.

Rows Grower

ben.schlomo wrote: »

This obviously isn't the case in all instances, I produced no evidence whatsoever. Sent an email, council replied, speaker was removed a couple of weeks later. Nothing like what you're saying.

Going from my own past experience, your case would be very unusual, and Godfrey is bang on the ball.

ben.schlomo

Rows Grower wrote: »

ben.schlomo wrote: »

This obviously isn't the case in all instances, I produced no evidence whatsoever. Sent an email, council replied, speaker was removed a couple of weeks later. Nothing like what you're saying.

Going from my own past experience, your case would be very unusual, and Godfrey is bang on the ball.

Maybe different council's are more proactive. I contacted Gcc for two issues and had a resolution on both.

Rows Grower

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Maybe different council's are more proactive. I contacted Gcc for two issues and had a resolution on both.

That is a very pertinent point which I did not consider and on reflection is quite probably correct.

Discodog

First keep a diary & I would record the sound on a phone app - one that stores the recording with a date & time. Then go & see the Council to find out what they are & are not allowed to do.

If you get nowhere you could suggest, to the offending premises, that you will oppose their license.