A petition has been started by an 87-year-old retiree, Howard Davis, in New York City to have restaurants publicly post their decibel levels. Davis is tired of struggling to hear his dinner companions above the noise in restaurants and believes that it should be made easier for those looking for a quieter dining experience to make informed decisions. He believes that noise levels in many restaurants are overwhelmingly high, making it impossible to have a pleasant dining experience. His petition has gained over 230 signatures on Change.org and calls for Hospitality Industry Associations to measure the decibel levels of each eatery.
Some diners are in favor of the proposal, agreeing that loud restaurants can add to the vibrant energy of the city. However, others feel that the proposal could negatively impact the more rowdy and lively establishments, potentially forcing them to tone down their noise levels. Former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg sees the noise in restaurants as a positive sign of the city’s recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertiser Frances Hughes believes that the proposal could result in unnecessary red tape for restaurants and prefers for communities to share information about quieter dining spots.
Critics of noisy restaurants, such as Steve Cuozzo from The Post, have repeatedly expressed frustration with the increasing noise levels in many New York City eateries. Cuozzo feels that it is becoming more difficult to find a quiet place to dine and attributes this trend to restaurateurs attempting to create a buzzy atmosphere by cultivating noise. The proposed decibel level posting is seen by some as an attempt to impose an “overly complicated anti-small business mandate” on restaurants. However, Davis clarifies that his goal is not to change the atmosphere of restaurants but to provide diners with information about the noise levels they can expect.
Despite varying opinions on the proposal, Davis remains committed to his goal of raising awareness about noise levels in restaurants. He insists that he is not trying to force restaurants to change their ambiance and simply wants diners to have the information they need to make choices. While some young diners may tolerate loud restaurants, Davis believes that most people do not actively seek out loud dining environments. In the meantime, diners are turning to innovative solutions like SoundPrint, an app that measures decibel levels at New York City restaurants and helps diners find quieter places to enjoy their meals. SoundPrint has found that a majority of restaurants in the city are too loud for conversations, highlighting the need for more awareness about noise levels in dining establishments.
