Restaurant background music: What do you think?

[Robin Garr]

This is a question that frankly hadn't occurred to me, but it started an interesting conversation on our WineLovers Discussion Group forum, http://www.wineloverspage.com/forum/vil ... =5&t=35502 , where a British gent expressed strong dislike for any kind of restaurant background music, particularly if it is "loud and intrusive." He'd like restaurants to have a "quiet zone," maybe something like the old non-smoking areas but for music.

What do you think? Does the guy have a point? What's your opinion on restaurant music, and do you have any interesting stories to tell on this topic?

I hate "background music" particularly if it's live. Whenever a restaurant advertises live music, I make sure that we arrive early enough to be finished and gone before it starts.

Now if the live music is in the bar, that's fine, even desirable. I still fondly remember the piano bar that was The Pine Room. (Stepping out of the way-back machine now.) Drinks or waiting area, OK for music that might be hard to talk over. Dinner, not so much. I guess it all comes down to volume.

I hate most of the background music, either too loud or inappropriate. It's not just restaurants, we could hardly to to each other last weekend outside at Lowe's because of the music.

Depends on the place...If it's a lively place, then yeah music (something complementary to the establishment) is fine.

I know it's not in vogue now (as much as it was say back in the late 80's, early 90's) but I absolutely loath places that have musicians going table to table. This seemed to be particularly common in upscale Italian places and it never once failed to piss me off. Is there anywhere in town that does this, so that I know not to visit ?

Depends on the place...If it's a lively place, then yeah music (something complementary to the establishment) is fine.

I know it's not in vogue now (as much as it was say back in the late 80's, early 90's) but I absolutely loath places that have musicians going table to table. This seemed to be particularly common in upscale Italian places and it never once failed to piss me off. Is there anywhere in town that does this, so that I know not to visit ?

Soooo, I guess you wouldn't care for Jesse. Sombrero and guitar he would stroll around a suburban Indianapolis Mexican joint (with pretty good food, btw) on weekends singing.The most popular part was he brayed just like a donkey...place was always slammed and Jesse seemed a hit, but I opted for week nite dining sans jackass noise.
Hee Haw

I prefer restaurants without music (or TV).

Here's my bottom-line thinking: I never notice music that helps the mood, but I always notice music that hurts the mood.

Sharom's comes to mind. While a dedicated patron, the "acoustic channel" they play adds nothing to my dining experience. And probably detracts.

Live music is a different matter. I seek out live music if I am looking for live music. If I'm not in the mood for live music, I skip an establishment with a band. Mulligan's had a mood-killing band a few weekends back.

I don't know, guys, a silent restaurant is kind of like having bare walls. We dined at Dejlah's last week and the place was silent as a tomb. With only three other tables in the place, we heard every fork hitting every plate, every glass rest on every table, every pan in the kitchen, and the rather shocking fight that took place between a server and what I presume was the owner. We felt like since the house was so quiet, we too should be quiet and spoke in hushed tones through our stay.

Sometimes, a little ambiance through auditory stimulation is excellent and useful, helps fill the void if you will. I only ask that you keep it soft and germane to the locale.

I hate the sound of people eating. I even
play music during dinner at my home. The only chewing sounds I can stand are my kids!
Of course if it overrides conversation it is an irritation!

We absolutely love Chinese, Thai and Indian food (went to Little India Cafe for lunch today - great buffet). But man, their countries' traditional & contemporary music is well. . . .I would describe it, do not want to offend. To my ears, oh my!

Depends on the place...

However I know of more than a few office businesses that have "white noise" pumped into their sound systems to fill the silence. Speakers installed above the ceiling tile are used to deaden out silence in between conversation without being obtrusive.

I like jazz piano just fine. ie. Buck's or Jack Fry's

I like recorded jazz such as Miles Davis and the like.

I like the guy at Havana Rumba who sings to recorded music and plays maracas. I give him a tip every time.

Live music, local musicians !... Hell yeah, support them !

When it is not live, Pandora is one of the greatest inventions since sliced bread.!

I don't mind live or recorded "easy listening" music while dining. I was at Varanese this summer and we really liked the band they had. However, once at Captain's Quarters we were seated right near the singer/piano player combo and it was SO loud. Definitely couldn't hear the party we were with. (Not trying to diss CQ!)

[Robin Garr]

We've dined in Caffe Classico's expanded dining section during flamenco evenings, and it has been possible to enjoy both the music and conversation.

I like jazz piano just fine. ie. Buck's or Jack Fry's

I like recorded jazz such as Miles Davis and the like.

I like the guy at Havana Rumba who sings to recorded music and plays maracas. I give him a tip every time.

I was absolutely with you until that last sentence!