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Extremely loud noise at next door party - what are my options? — Brooklynian

Extremely loud noise at next door party - what are my options?

dl
dl
edited June 2015 in Crown Heights/Prospect Lefferts Gardens
I recently moved to East Flatbush, and overall am very happy with the neighborhood. The neighbors are warm and friendly, and for the most part I am completely comfortable with the local vibe, and don't mind the Friday night block parties, or the general noise level of the neighborhood (I was well aware of what I was getting myself into.)

My only concern is a party hosted by my next door neighbor, who seemingly rents out her backyard for use by a bar around the corner, whose backyard faces hers. These parties happen every other week or so, always on a Sunday night, until about 2 or 3 AM. There aren't even that many people, but the music is so incredibly loud and bass-heavy that it rattles things inside my house. It is so loud it is difficult to even have a conversation in my bedroom. 

I think the problem stems from the fact that my house was unoccupied for about a year before we moved in, so the neighbor probably got used to being able to make a little money by renting her space to the bar, without bothering anyone. She is incredibly nice in general, and we really want to continue to get along, so after the first time this happened, we brought it up casually and just asked for a heads up before the next party. She told us there would be one last night that would only last until midnight. In the end, due to the rain, the party was moved indoors, where the bass was able to carry into my house even more intensely, and didn't end until after 2 AM. 

Does anyone have any advice for handling this situation as diplomatically as possible? I don't want to be that obnoxious hipster who moves into a new neighborhood and immediately expect everything to change to suit her comfort level (and I really, really am not), but at the same time, what are my options? I would honestly prefer to go the non-confrontational route via soundproofing or something like that, if that has any hope of working without costing a fortune. Has anyone ever dealt with a similar situation? Does the fact that this party is being hosted by a bar, with a liquor license, have any impact on how I can handle this? Is there anything I can do to both get a little sleep on Sunday nights without becoming hated by my neighbors?

Thank you! 

Comments

  • homeowner
    homeowner
    I'd address it with the bar owner and not the neighbor. They have more to lose if neighbors are disgruntled. Try starting with asking them to keep the noise down and see what they say.
  • dl
    dl
    Thanks @homeowner. My concern is that the bar employees that I've seen are a lot more unfriendly and look at us a lot more suspiciously than the neighbor, who has gone out of her way to be friendly. Is there any way to talk to the bar that doesn't come across as confrontational and potentially make things worse?
  • suppleknuckles
    suppleknuckles
    hmm, i guess that sounds like a tricky situation. i'm not sure i would confront a bar employee in this sort of situation--after all, it always depends on what kind of bar it is. sports bar? eh. lounge filled with middle aged ladies? try it. biker bar? no chance.

    311 is not out of the question. especially at so late on a sunday night...
  • dl
    dl
    @suppleknuckles, that's exactly my problem. It's definitely not a lounge filled with middle aged ladies, closer to a sports bar vibe. The party itself is actually pretty chilled and not rowdy at all, the music is just So. Loud. There is a commercial grade speaker blasting at full volume about ten feet from my bedroom window. 

    How does 311 work? I'm concerned that either it is completely ineffective, or will result in the cops or someone coming by to say that "someone complained about the music" -- as the newcomers to the block, it will be very obvious that it is us. I think it will be taken offensively, although I don't think there is anything intrinsically offensive or non-culturally-sensitive about my request. Any insight into 311?
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited June 2015
    In my experience, 311 leans toward ineffective, with a dose of random effectiveness.

    I'd start with bar owner. I'd try to appear as together as possible ...appear as someone they want to please because you are knowledgable and have the time to make things hard.

    (Even if neither is true)
  • dl
    dl
    @whynot_31 do you have any suggestions? I would really welcome your advice.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited June 2015
    Meet with bar owner privately. Call to set up appointment when bar opens, and isn't crowded.

    Then, buy a beer, and drink it while talking to the owner. Don't leave until you finish the beer.
  • brickstoner
    brickstoner
    edited June 2015
    Noise tolerance in NYC has always been a pet peeve of mine, and I'm not a (remotely recent) transplant.

    It's a climate where complaining about noise might viewed as being a bully in a new neighborhood "you don't belong in" with those privileged values.  Ironically, in my neighborhood it's the gentrifiers, the young student-types, making much of the noise.  

    I'd love to know if 311 is an alternative to calling the police (which I haven't done) for items like 3 am parties that are loud across the street.   

    In my neighborhood in Bed Stuy there's an incredible tolerance on the part of the police for street shenanigans - on Saturdays it's all night parties and outdoor crowds blasting music, and last night it was Skid Row, homeless folks / junkies lighting junk *on fire*  in the middle of the street (Jefferson).  There was panic on the part of the local bar / restaurant / service staff.

    I wonder if the police are doing it (neglecting quality of life issues) on purpose?
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited June 2015
    Didn't it rain last night? Sunday night.
  • brickstoner
    brickstoner
    It did, but only after vagrants set fire to the middle of the street across from Bizarre on Jefferson St.  

    Maybe nature was sending a message to the riff raff.
  • xlizellx
    xlizellx
    I've actually had the best luck speaking to the police precinct directly about my concerns.  Not in the heat of the loudness but to put it on their radar so to speak.  That way it's not dealt with like someone is complaining right then and there but rather it is seen as an issue before it begins.
  • brickstoner
    brickstoner
    I've actually had the best luck speaking to the police precinct directly about my concerns.  Not in the heat of the loudness but to put it on their radar so to speak.  That way it's not dealt with like someone is complaining right then and there but rather it is seen as an issue before it begins.

    That's something of a reassurance.  If I may ask, which police precinct?  My theory is that not all of them react in the same way (i.e. a noise call in Park Slope will be dealt with swiftly, as I once witnessed).  
  • dl
    dl
    Yes, @brickstoner, I am wondering the same thing. I'm in the 67th precinct. @xlizellx, do you have any tips about how to handle that - do I call someone, or just walk into the station?

    Thanks again!
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    Does the bar have a price?

    This guy wants $5500 to turn down the music: http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2015/06/18/worlds_worst_neighbor_demands_5500_to_turn_down_music.php#more
  • dl
    dl
    Oh god, @whynot_31, I hope it doesn't come to that! Good news so far, I spoke to my neighbor about it and she isn't so happy about the noise either. (I don't know the details of her agreement with the bar, but it seems like they aren't sticking to the rules she set, and she's gone out and pulled the plug on the speakers more than once. For now, she said we should just text her if it is too loud for us and she will deal with it. Like I said earlier, I'm not looking to change the entire culture of the block, and I have no problem with a reasonable level of noise (not so loud that I can't talk inside my own house) before midnight! 

    So far, it seems like friendly neighborliness is working :) I will report back if that changes.
  • xlizellx
    xlizellx
    I'm in the 70th precinct. sometimes they're not as helpful as other times. But it's better than 311.
  • Dawndew
    Dawndew
    This isn't cultural and 311 was recomended to me by pct because it goes on record hence becomes the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.
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