I'm posting to this forum because I was searching the net regarding this issue and felt since
this is also a NYC issue, it would be a good idea to present my comment here also.
I live in the East Village and this has been an ongoing problem here for years now.
The police and government seem to want do the very least, if not absolutely nothing, to tackle
problem noise offenders, be they pedestrians (partiers) or bars. Residents are given the lowest priority over
other interests, like bar owners. The only explanation seems to be that the people who are supposed
to enforce the residents interests are being paid off. The City Council passed a so called "noise"
law that did almost nothing to address the biggest sources of noise generated in the city:
1) unnecessary noise caused by pedestrians (partiers) or bar patrons after 10PM, 2) loud motorcycles
with noise amplifiers, 3) garbage trucks, and 4) cars esp. taxi cabs honking unnecessarily.
The problem was also exacerbated because the NYS Liquor Authority under the Pataki administration
"illegally" granted liquor licenses at the drop of a hat. They're not supposed to grant a liquor
license if a bar is within 500 feet of another bar, yet under Pataki, they granted at least 3 liquor
licenses on my block within 500 feet of 2 already existing bars, creating 5 bars less than 500 feet
of each other. (There are literally 3 bars lined up right next to each other, 1 across the street of
these 3 and another 1 skips a building but is lined up on the same side as the first 3 bars.)
Where is the SLA here? They should be taking back these "excess" liquor licenses, starting with the
worst offending bars.

I personally think an organized effort citywide by residents who share similar views regarding
unnecessary noise, is the only way to get something to happen here.
A "stink" needs to be made with the City Council, NYS SLA, and the community boards.
Question is: how does one get it off the ground?

Posted by: markh at June 1, 2008 12:47 AM in response to BACK YARD BAR NOISE - SOLUTIONS

Well. The honey approach was a complete failure. The proprietor is nice and full of "yes's and no problem" patter. And sure enough the problem doesn't go away. I truly believe the police are on the take, considering the hundreds of complaints against this bar.

So we're going the official route. As far as I'm concerned, I don't care if he gets fined and shut down. His total lack of respect for the people who live here warrants nothing less.

The problem with my requests is that he loses money by obliging them.

So we've organized a group and plan to attend next week's council meeting with the 84th .

Overall, I think a citywide initiative should be brought about exposing the weaknesses, loopholes and ineffectiveness of BBergs noise initiatives.

More on this later. Will keep all posted.

Posted by: TNails at June 14, 2008 4:09 PM in response to BACK YARD BAR NOISE - SOLUTIONS