Noisy Restaurants

My Wife and I went to a new local restaurant tonight to give it a shot, see if it was any good. As soon as I walked in I noticed that it had one of those trendy, black-painted unfinished ceilings that have become popular around here. The restaurant was not all that busy so noise should not have been too much of a problem. The thing is, the noise made by these few people having normal conversations was incredible. The acoustics (apparently caused by the ceiling design) were such that there was a loud, constant din of voices and normal eating sounds made by silverware on plates. We walked out without ordering because it was extremely distracting and there was no way we would be able to have a conversation while eating. I have noticed the bad acoustics in other places due to construction but never to the point of having to leave. If we wanted noise, we would have gone to a bar/restaurant.

Has anyone else noticed this? Would it keep you from enjoying a meal? Am I being an old fogy?

At least you know you're not deaf! :lalala: :p

I will not stay or frequent anywhere that is that acoustically challenged. If the music is too loud I leave immediately. The owners know what part of the ambiance they are guilty of violating. If it is made to be that way, hopefully they are not in business very long.

I don't mind a little more noise sometimes. It's not the thing for every date, though.

I completely fail to understand the appeal of communal eating with strangers in a room that makes an iron plant seem like a quiet zone. Around grandma's Thanksgiving table with cousins beating on each other in the background? Sure, them's good times.

Sorry, I find that story untrue, Jed.

You wanted to have a conversation? With your wife? Yeah, right.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IMGreat101

I will not stay or frequent anywhere that is that acoustically challenged. If the music is too loud I leave immediately. The owners know what part of the ambiance they are guilty of violating. If it is made to be that way, hopefully they are not in business very long.

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I agree.

That type of noise level in a restaurant is completely unacceptable.

i think maybe you are getting to old and sensitive.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JLK

i think maybe you are old and sensitive.

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There you go, JLK. Fixed it for you. :)

thanks

Noisy restaurants drive me nuts, too. I want to be able to have a conversation with the folks at my table without having to yell...

I tried a highly recommended yuppie eatery in Nice, Calif just off CA-20. (Lake County). Menu looked OK and prices reasonable. After ordering the "entertainment" began. This "band" went past my pain treshold for db level, over 120. We doggy bagged the remainder of a good dinner and left. Our waitress just then quit for the noise level and followed us out the door.

Another noisy place in Yachats OR, last time I asked if the band was going on, got the affirmative, and reversed course for the place across the street. The owner was bitching about the noise from across Hwy 101.

Shitty bands play loudest. So much for ambiance, and listening for the message in the music.

I can understand going into a place with live music, a bunch of kids, etc. In those places, you expect noise, but I swear I think this "unfinished ceiling" thing is to blame for my bad experience. I've noticed in similar places. Buffalo Wild Wings is the absolute worst. Trying to hear a sporting event in there is impossible.

We have a few places with those unfinished ceilings, and all of them are louder than an indoor basketball game if even a quarter of the tables are occupied. I enjoy a couple of them and try my best to only go when they're slowest.