Cave Inn, Woolloongabba, forced to soundproof venue after single noise complaint

A popular Brisbane bar and restaurant, which has been hosting live music for five years, has been forced to pay for expensive soundproofing after just one noise complaint.

The Cave Inn, based in Woolloongabba, has had to pay $10,000 to soundproof the venue after a single noise complaint.

A beloved small Brisbane bar and restaurant is struggling to stay open after a single noise complaint threatens to shut them down.

The Cave Inn, based in Woolloongabba for about five years, has become well known for its pizzas, beers, lively atmosphere, friendly staff — and occasional live music.

It showcased local artists and has been careful to stop the live music by 10pm, including weekends.

Owners Ruth Gardener, Dylan Jeffreys and Marcus Lavers said they were therefore gutted to learn an official noise complaint had been lodged.

“We have had a noise complaint. It means we need to fast track finishing our sound treatment for the wall behind the stage…we have wanted to do this for ages but Covid and the bastard cost of living crisis has stopped us,” Mr Jeffreys said.

“We desperately need it done so we can keep our license and continue trading.”

The Cave Inn. Picture: Supplied

The problem has been widespread in Brisbane’s struggling live music scene, which barely survived lockdowns, labour shortages, inflation and rising interest rates.

In February, venue owners were left reeling after O’Skulligans in Fortitude Valley had its live music licence taken off it after complaints from a resident who moved into a nearby unit - within the Valley entertainment precinct.

The Burrow in West End has also been fighting a complaint from a single neighbour, believed to be a woman who lived only part-time in the hipster suburb.

The Milk Factory Kitchen & Bar, which closed during lockdown, was also believed to have had its fight to stay open made much more difficult after a noise complaint from a single neighbouring unit owner.

Its successor at the site on noisy Montague Rd, Can You Still Keep A Secret, has also been bombarded with complaints.

The situation was now so bad even The Bug folk music venue, at the New Farm Bowls Club, has been feeling the heat from its neighbours as well.

The Cave Inn hosts occasional live music.

The Cave Inn owners started a GoFundMe campaign to raise the $10,000 needed to soundproof the venue as soon as possible.

“This go fund me is therefore a request for help so we can buy the sound treatment sheeting and materials, pay the acoustic engineer for the report and for the skilled labour involved,” Mr Jeffreys said.

“Running a local music venue needs community and we wouldn’t ask if we weren’t desperate.”

The owners believed the noise complaint came from nearby developers.

“We think it’ll go from the already tiny amount of noise that’s barely audible to absolutely nothing,” Ms Gardener said.

“We hope to have our noise limit increased too. It’s been a real kick in the guts.

“Imagine life in Brisbane without any art or culture? No live music? How boring would that be?

“We’ve got to stick together as a community to support our local talent.”

Locals enjoying a beer at the Cave Inn.

In less than a week locals raised the $10,000.

“This community and your collective donations have meant the world to us and we have already started on these renovations,” the Cave Inn posted on Facebook.

“The response has been astounding. We cannot stress enough how much we appreciate this community that you all have built.

“We will continue to bring you fresh pizza, cold beers and music.

“From the bottom of our hearts: thank you.”

The Cave Inn would closed this week for soundproofing works but hoped to reopen next Sunday.

“We also want to apply to increase the decibel limit on our license so we have more wriggle room and to be the best neighbours we can as well and to be as compliant as possible,” Ms Gardener said.

“We have gone around the neighbourhood with flyers giving them our most up to date contact number and inviting them in for a beer too.

“While they have the right to complain, we’d rather they come to us of course and we can address it immediately without being at risk of losing our license.”