On Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal, the recently renovated Champs Sports Bar became a popular destination for various entertainment events beyond sports viewing. However, in 2022, the bar started facing noise complaints from a neighboring 10-unit apartment, leading to interventions by Montreal police, a city noise inspector, civil court proceedings, and an investigation by Quebec’s liquor board.
Following a violation discovered by the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux, Champs was fined $3,000, mandated to shut down for five days, and instructed to enhance soundproofing measures. The bar incurred legal fees exceeding $30,000 and spent an additional $14,000 solely on soundproofing. Despite these challenges, Champs recently obtained the necessary permit to resume hosting dance nights, albeit only on weekends.
Numerous bars and venues in Montreal have encountered significant fines and closures due to noise complaints. Data obtained through an access-to-information request revealed a surge in noise-related calls to the city’s 311 service, with the Plateau and downtown Ville-Marie boroughs recording the highest numbers. The rise in complaints may be attributed to neighborhood transformations, displacing traditional nightlife workers with residents less tolerant of noise disturbances.
The closure of La Tulipe, a historic concert venue, due to noise disputes prompted the establishment of a soundproofing fund for performance venues, excluding bars like Champs. The city’s outgoing Mayor Valérie Plante initiated a nightlife policy to balance the interests of entertainment establishments and residents seeking tranquility, a topic now central in the municipal election.
Sergio Da Silva, a bar owner affected by noise complaints, is now a candidate for Transition Montréal, advocating for a night mayor and council to mediate disputes and enhance soundproofing support. Other party leaders have also pledged to address noise issues through updated regulations and specialized administrative units for complaint resolution.
Amidst these challenges, Jon Weisz of Les SMAQ emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural and economic contributions of nightlife venues. Proposed bylaws could impose hefty fines on venues for noise infractions, jeopardizing the existence of cultural spaces vital for creativity.
A recent report highlighted Montreal’s vibrant nightlife sector, generating thousands of jobs and billions in spending, recommending protection for nightlife venues against new residential developments’ impact. Emulating cities like London and Melbourne, Montreal should adopt policies safeguarding nightlife establishments from noise-related restrictions prompted by changing neighborhood dynamics.
Academic experts and industry insiders advocate for policy changes to safeguard nightlife venues and promote coexistence between entertainment establishments and residents. Bernstein, representing Champs, stresses the necessity for reasonable sound tolerance in areas known for vibrant nightlife scenes.
