Too Much Noise in “The Library”

May 9, 2014

in Odds & Ends Stories

My wife and I were looking for a quiet pub to have monthly casual dinners with another couple. Most of the so-called pubs in the city were actually sports bars, with large screen TVs in each dining area. Sometimes this was not a problem, but during hockey season (this was in Canada) the noise level made conversation difficult.

So we were delighted when we heard about a pub which had a separate room without a TV, an area they called “The Library.” Before we took our friends we decided to try it ourselves and went for dinner, specifying we wanted that room.

Unfortunately, while there was no television, there were speakers playing music. Loud music. The volume was so high that we had to nearly shout to hear each other across a very small table. We asked our waiter if the sound could be turned down; he said he’d ask and left.

A couple of minutes later a manager came to our table and told us condescendingly that they would not change the volume. The reason? It was a pub and they had to “maintain the ambiance.”

We crossed that pub off our list. It would be nice if there were more people on the planet who understood that ear-splitting music and a good time were not always synonymous.

{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

lnelson1218 May 13, 2014 at 2:25 pm

It does seem to be harder and harder to find a place where the noise level is minimal and you can actually have a conversation.

If I want to watch a game I will go to a sports bar. If I want quiet, then I am challenged to find a place. I swear that they keep the noise loud to guarantee turnover.

But of luck in your search.

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Jack May 20, 2014 at 12:56 pm

Of course the manager should have lowered the sound. However if you’re looking for a quite place to dine, why would you choose a “pub”. I’ve never been in one that’s not noisy. Many of the patrons go just to let of steam, drink, and talk loud. When you add in music and/or TV the sound level can go over the top. Try to find a nice mom & pop place, not a chain, request a quite spot, and enjoy your friends.

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Rachel July 24, 2014 at 9:45 am

Ugh, I hate that kind of 'ambiance.' How are you supposed to socialize in those places? I once lost my voice for 2 days trying to scream over the music at my friends at one such bar.

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jenis bisnis rumahan July 25, 2014 at 5:15 am

I will go to a sports bar. If I want quiet, then I am challenged to find a place. I swear that they keep the noise loud to guarantee turnover.

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steph November 3, 2015 at 11:19 am

what? did you just copy that from lnelson? I am so confused

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Nicole September 4, 2014 at 6:34 pm

Was it in a college town? Because in the US, establishments called "the Library" are geared for college students who want a place to party. Not somewhere I would go to expect a quite space.

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James September 5, 2014 at 9:48 am

I dined at a restaurant in Aptos, CA, in 1991 called "The Library." It was an old mansion converted to a restaurant, with seating in the mansion's library.

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