Zagat Survey Discussions

Thank you for raising this issue. It's actually the main criterion for my selections when we take my mother-in-law out for dinner. Her reduced hearing & the stress she experiences with too much stimuli outweigh the virtues of other aspects of the dining experience. There's a lot to be said for sound dampeners (drapes, stuffed chairs, carpeted surfaces).

In a place like Manhattan, finding refuge from the noise of the city is as important as any other aspect of the meal. I've left wonderful places (and avoided many more) because the noise inside was worse than on the street. Definitely support a noise rating -- I would prioritize it over the decor and service ratings for most meals.

I agree with the previous posts, but do want to add a comment about tables being close together, so that one hears the entire conversation from adjoining diners: tho' I usually find it offensive, I admit that on occasion, in great restaurants, the closeness of tables leads to great experiences in joining in conversations, and even making recommendations for ordering. E.g. at Avec, Bluebird and other places in Chicago I have had lots of fun with friendly people at the next table. However, the experience of hearing the conversation at nearby tables is more often an irritant, and usually reflects poorly on my assessment of the dinner. And if the ambient noise is too great, one can't hear your dining companion(s), or hear yourself thinking! At least one of the critics in Chgo includes noise levels in his newspaper reviews, and it is definitely a factor I use in selecting a restaurant.

I agree with all the posts on this subject, and support the idea of rating noise level in the restaurant reviews. I'd also like to address the problem of noisy patrons as well, though. Although noise absorbing materials on floors, walls and ceilings is certainly important, some groups of diners are just obnoxiously loud and don't seem to care that they are literally ruining other patrons' experiences. Hate to say it, but large groups of loud women will make me think twice before I am seated anywhere near them. I just wish people could be more conscious of the people around them.

Great idea!!

I'd appreciate a noise level rating. Hate having to scream at my dining partners.
Once at Roy's on Maui we complained of the extremely high decibel level and the manager came to our table and told us "That's the way Roy likes it".

My husband and I travel the world and enjoy fine dining. Actually we live for these special moments, exceptional food experiences, lovely atmosphere and the ability to have a discussion over the table. In Europe, yes it is possible to hear each other, but in the states??? Absolutely not. We are so disappointed in the decade trend of vaulted ceilings and hard floors, magnifiying sounds like the sounds of table clearing and serving. We have almost given up trying to have a discussion aside from a screaming match across the table. What is the matter with this industry?????? When did they stop understanding it is this quality of the evening that predicates the total exposure. 

I second all these comments. We are a wealthy couple who eat out 4-5 nights a week and for frequent lunches as well. We will not stay at a restaurant that deliveratly creates an ambiance of noise. We want to be able to visit comfortably with friends and are increasingly insulted by restauranteurs who don't take noise into account. Close off the kitchens - no one wants to watch, or hear, the cooks.

Please rate restaurnats on their noise level - the most important part of the dining experience - and thank you!

Sherey

I agree strongly. Recently my wife and I took another couple (new to the city) out to dinner - the goal was to get to know them and to have a substantive discussion about an institution of mutual interest. We went to a restaurant where we had dined several times before, but it had "re-invented" itself, put tables closer together, redecorated with more hard surfaces, and reached out to attract a different clientele. The noise was overwhelming. Real conversation was impossible. We will not return. We would pay close attention to a noise level rating.
Ben

I agree!!

Tables close together is a business decision based on serving more people to increase revenues. I understand that.

But if a restaurant is too dark for me to read the menu, or too loud for me to hear the person/people I'm with, I will never, ever return.

I wholeheartedly agree with Donald. There may be reasons for loudness (we used to call it noise) to raise the energy level or promote "buzz," and it certainly can help flip tables for people who don't appreciate it, but for this person, it's a reason to find another restaurant. Part of enjoying food is the atmosphere, and when it's frenetic, it's not condusive to enjoying food, maybe to getting drunk, yes.

The noise level has become a big problem. The "generation of the deaf"
are the result and the cause. We recently tried to eat at 8oz. on Melrose and were forced to gulp down a pretty good meal so we could avoid going crazy. When loud music is played in foreground, not quiet, pleasant, background, such places quickly become intolerable. We applaud any effort to send a message to offending restaurants to take whatever action is necessary to return to civility. Unless you're talking about country-western beer joints with juke boxes.

---

Better lucky than smart. (Mark Twain}

DanielR424186 is right on the mark. Why restaurants insit on having loud music that gets jacked up higher as the number of patrons increases is beyond me. I do find that it is often possible to get the music turned down (but never off) by a polite but firm request. 
 

Totally agree, when did background music give way to foreground music. I was in a pub in Chicago and I literally had to shout to the person sitting next to me. When we suggested to the Bartender the music was too loud, he turned it up. We walked out.

No one would tolerate the music levels in their home if they were diniing, why do restauranteurs think they need to blast disco volume music at us when we are out?

I have walked out of more restaurants because the din was excrusciating. 

Was just in Tunis and the restaurant had a Malouf singer - perfect dinner music...you could easily converse over him or stop and listen, at which time, he would get a bit louder in acknowledgement that we recognized his art.  It was lovely.