Why Loud Music in Bars Increases Alcohol Consumption

randyhaddock:

But turning the music up so loud that people are forced to shout at each other doesn’t have quite the same beneficial effect on social interactions. Because everyone is shouting, the bar becomes even noisier and soon people start to give up trying to communicate and focus on their drinking, meaning more trips to the bar, and more regrets in the morning.

Of course this is exactly what bar owners are hoping for. People sitting around quietly nursing their drinks for hours are no good for profits. Talkers aren’t the best drinkers. At least that is the received wisdom in the industry. And this received wisdom turns out to be accurate according to field studies conducted in French bars by Professor Nicolas Guegen and colleagues.

I knew there was a reason. And thus why I can’t stand most bars I go to in Los Angeles…they all turn in to loud clubs where I can’t talk with my friends. I really need to find a place with a nice pub-like atmosphere where I can relax with a good drink, good conversation and good friends.

randyhaddock