Does anyone actually enjoy sitting in a restaurant with loud music?

[QueenOfIce]

I realise that at 40 I'm now a classed by some as an old codger. In my youf I loved loud music but that was when it was appropriate in bars and clubs.

Sitting outside having a drink earlier and after about an hour they put some drum and bass on really bloody loudly. We left. Went for dinner more loud music. What is it with restaurants these days you can't sit down and enjoy an evening without being deafened by shitty music! I want to talk to the person I'm sitting with not shout. Am I old and unreasonable?

I hate pubs and restaurants with no music. Dislike the noise of background chat and noise and find it hard to make conversation in.

Music in bars, cafes and restaurants is invariably for the pleasure of the staff, not the customers

And their playlist is invariably shit. My DD who has worked in some chain burger places says management insist on it.

I loathe loud music when not at a gig, so will ask for it to be turned down, or leave.

If so many people dislike it why are we still having to endure it?

Frankie and Bennys is renowned for it. DREADFUL. The last time I went we expressed our sympathies to the staff who are forced to listen to the same 2/3 CDs on a loop, it must be torturous to work there

I hate it in the gym too. Half the time I have the volume on my phone turned right up and I still can't hear my podcast properly. Most of the other people in the gym have their headphone in so I don't know who the ridiculously loud music is supposed to be for.

I had a thread about noise yesterday and one of the top complaints was overly loud music in shops and public places.
I am very noise sensitive so would not be able to listen to that and enjoy a meal/chatting with friends if you have to bellow at each other.

Can we start a MN petition to stop the frigging music!

I’ll sign it, Queen! Drives me & DH mad.

I've never liked it. When I want to hear music I'll go to a club. If I'm meeting friends I can't bear loud music. Conscious of sounding like an old fogey though when commenting (moaning) !

Maybe you should just boycott the large restaurant chains where this is a feature? I’ve never had this problem in small independent restaurants. Probably because they’d go out of business if they drove away customers to that extent!
Usually they play very quiet background trad jazz or piano music, or appropriately ethnic music, eg quiet sitar music in Indian restaurants. Some have no music at all, just a pleasant low hum of chatter from the guests.
I suspect big junk food restaurants play fast paced noisy pop music to make people eat faster and leave quicker, so they can reuse the table. Faster turnover = higher profit.
I’m autistic and can’t stand it. I’ve never chosen to eat in one of those places, and have been in great discomfort on the few occasions when I’ve had to accompany others there.

I’m autistic and I struggle with loud music. I’ve left places before due to the noise, it’s a torment.

I don’t know why it has to be this way. If people need loud music everywhere they go, let them wear headphones.

I suspect it’s to keep the staff happy and entertained.

I 'll sign your petition Queen I just want a quieter life

It’s to be expected in a bar I think but definitely not in a restaurant. People generally go to a restaurant to sit and have a conversation. I would leave a restaurant with booming music.

It's also in shops. I'm sure it's for the staff in the shops. Always rubbish music too.

Maybe you should just boycott the large restaurant chains where this is a feature? I’ve never had this problem in small independent restaurants. Probably because they’d go out of business if they drove away customers to that extent!

We had a new one open recently, already a branch elsewhere so they were expanding. Little plants left on doorsteps with a money off card for the opening week. The menu looked good so we went. Service was good, friendly, nice food, but the noise was horrendous, people were shouting over the music, and more people were shouting over the other shouting, couldn't even hear the music, neither could we speak to each other.

Sadly we won't be doing it again, which is a shame because it is the kind of place that was needed, good choice of food,vegan,vegetarian options and dog friendly, but the noise!!

Toad, you should write a bad review on Tripadvisor. If enough people moan about the noise and say they won’t go back, the restaurant will have to take notice.