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Biscuit's open-air music space: opinions please! — Brooklynian

Biscuit's open-air music space: opinions please!

quigley
quigley
edited November -1 in Park Slope

Subject: Biscuit's open-air music space: opinions please!

I'm curious to know what people think about Biscuit's (and last summer Night & Day's) open-air music and performance space in the back. It was pretty loud for the neighbors of that building last summer, and they kept those doors open pretty late some nights. Does anyone know if there's legally a time of night that a bar can no longer play "outdoor music"?

I'd love to know how both customers/patrons and other neighbors feel about it. Does it drive you nuts? Or do you love it?

I guess you could surmise how I feel about it, but I'd like to know if I'm alone or not... Thanks!

Comments

  • pitu
    pitu
    There is a cut-off time, but I'm not sure what it is.
    I'd guess 11pm.

    Have you spoken with them?

    I only live close enough to hear it when I walk my dog, and it's never been super loud by passersby standards -- are you talking about the speaker outside, that makes it sound like that pig statue is singing David Bowie songs? That always kind of amuses me . . . but I *do* wonder if it drives whoever lives upstairs crazy.

    Or are you talking about the gawdawful jazz room? I don't share their tastes, but it also doesn't sound terribly loud from the outside.
  • raw
    raw
    Reviews of Biscuit Barbecue at 230 5th Avenue posted on citysearch.com rate the food as average and below average. I never ate at Biscuit, so I can't comment.

    I love musical performances, so bad food would not prevent me from going to Buscuit as long as the entertainment was outstanding and I was not obligated to order what one citysearch user describes as "double fried chicken was as dry as a bone."

    http://newyork.citysearch.com/review/44555977
  • the chipster
    the chipster
    Biscuit sucks ass. I will never go there again no matter what they're selling.
  • veets
    veets
    This is really the worst venue to hear jazz in the neighborhood. The word is out that this is just the worst place to work so really decent Jazz musicians are avoiding it. The pay sucks. The food sucks. That back space is uncomfortable.. too cold in the winter and impossible to keep cool in the summer. The kitchen is visible as you walk to the back room and it looks absolutely scuzzy. I ate in this place once and it was just aweful. If they add insult to injury by letting noise filter on to the street that really would be the last straw. The place needs to be put out of its misery!!
  • karl the druid
    karl the druid
    where's kennsingtonmom? the third sisters from the island of gorgos
  • quigley
    quigley
    pitu wrote:
    Or are you talking about the gawdawful jazz room? I don't share their tastes, but it also doesn't sound terribly loud from the outside.
    Yes, that's the room I'm talking about. It's funny, it doesn't sound that loud when you stand right outside, but if you're in one of the surrounding buildings that face it? The music just floats right up and into your apartment. And it's LOUD. Like, as loud as if it were playing on a radio in my apartment. We have to turn the TV way up to drown it out. And my neighbors' bedroom faces it as well... he says it drives him insane.

    They often leave those doors open until well after 10pm on weeknights. And yes, I have spoken with them. Often. They usually close them after huffing about it, but then the next night, same thing.

    I spoke with the owner once, and tried, VERY politely, to explain how loud it was in our apartments, and how annoying that was late at night. The first part of her response was, "Well, this is NYC, you have to expect some noise." She also told me, "Honestly, it's such lovely music, I can't believe anyone would complain." In the end, she said they would try to keep the doors closed late (they don't) but WOW, was she arrogant.
  • quig
    quig
    Hey Cuz,

    I'm thinking of a couple of options running the gambit from passive to aggressive:

    Granted it’s long term, but planting ivy on the walls of the buildings will absorb some noise.

    Write a letter to the managing company/landlord & community board.

    If all else fails, check with the liquor authority about use of backyard. The holy rollers on Vanderbilt shut down the backyard at Soda for about six months (which gave the quiglet a sad face).

    I forget which agency (buildings? , HPD) can bring in a person who can measure the sound in your apt.
  • brooke lynn knight
    brooke lynn knight
    My opinion? Loud music late at night, in my opinion, is as much an assault as a baseball bat to the head. It's aggressive and hostile and totally unnecessary. If I ruled the world, it would be punishable by one warning, followed by a direct hit with a bazooka.

    Yes, yes, I know. I should move back to Iowa, back to the farm, where I don't have to live with people and I can just quietly milk the cows, etc etc. Except I was born and raised in midtown Manhattan and I've been in the Slope for 17 years, and, if anything, being a native has hardened my resolve against inconsiderateness of all kinds. We have to live together, and that entails a little tolerance for noise that can't be prevented (crying babies, sirens, construction, etc) -- but it also requires that people not deliberately make noise that's going to drive other people crazy. Tolerance and forbearance have got to work both ways. I'm always baffled when I hear someone say "it's the city, you've got to expect noise" -- yeah, I figured that out. And you've got to expect a little crime too, so do you mind if I break your kneecaps? After all, it's the city. And that means we can all do what we want without consequences, right? If you don't like it, get back on the turnip truck and go back to Iowa.
  • erikka
    erikka
    Why are they bothering with this when there's another jazz bar right down the streeet?
  • quigley
    quigley
    Yeah, I mean, I completely expect and understand the occasional and disruptive noise that comes with living in NYC. It happens, I deal with it, just like everyone else. I have ear plugs and white noise machnies. But why, oh why, do I need to listen to hours of jazz (and frankly, REALLY CRAPPY jazz) in my apartment because the restaurant across the street doesn't seem to think it needs to close its french doors?

    Thing is, I love live music, and I go to see it all the time. But I've been racking my brain trying to think of one live-music venue in Manhattan that is allowed to have that music played outdoors (aside from the park). I can't think of a thing! I think it's unheard of.

    Any suggestions on other ways to handle? Do we just keep calling every night? At what time of night is this "acceptable"? It starts around 7pm. To me, it's never acceptable, but I think I'm just overly annoyed by their attitude.

    (We've also considered pointing a stereo out the window and just blaring some serious 50 Cent or something... Childish, I know, but also funny! But that seems unfair to their customers as well.)
  • pitu
    pitu
    quig wrote:
    Write a letter to the managing company/landlord & community board.

    If all else fails, check with the liquor authority about use of backyard. The holy rollers on Vanderbilt shut down the backyard at Soda for about six months (which gave the quiglet a sad face).

    I forget which agency (buildings? , HPD) can bring in a person who can measure the sound in your apt.
    what he said

    you could get your neighbors to all call/sign something, call CB6, call councilperson and ask for mediation help (who is it there -- Bill DiBlasio?)

    call 311 with a noise complaint, and see where they direct you -- they'll know who sends the sound meter

    an expensive personal solution is those window fittings that insulate you from the sound - here's a link
    http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/how-to/how-to-soundproof-your-home-008271

    But if I hear a desperate display of Fitty, I'll know it's you!
    I think you're right to take the high ground and not piss off the rest of your surrounding neighbors with sound retaliation.

    off topic:
    How did we get so lucky as to trade kmom for her fauxstalker Brooke Lynn Knight? Woohoo!
  • jennitrixie
    jennitrixie
    How far can a SuperSoaker shoot? Across a street? There's always that tactic.
  • quigley
    quigley
    jennitrixie wrote: How far can a SuperSoaker shoot? Across a street? There's always that tactic.
    Ha! That's hysterical. I could be the Super Soaker Sniper...
  • pitu
    pitu
    From the CB6 website

    May 30 Informational Meeting
    In an effort to better understand the rules and regulations governing restaurants and bars in our district, representatives from City agencies and our local police precincts will be on hand to answer any questions in respect to noise, smoking, backyard usage, garbage and other related and quality of life issues.

    This event is intended for the 78th Precinct catchment area. Please join us!

    Bring your neighbors. Bring your friends. Find out what's going on.

    78th Precinct
    65 6th Avenue
    Dean/Bergen Streets

    6:30 PM
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