Newport: Bar La Vida Loca owner hits back after noise complaint battle with residents

The licensee of a northern beaches bar has spoken out after a long-running noise war that had residents complaining about live music, patron noise and the sound of ‘karaoke nights’.

A photo of the Newport bar.

The licensee of a northern beaches bar has spoken out after a long-running noise war that had residents complaining about live music, patron noise and the sound of ‘karaoke nights’.

Liquor and Gaming NSW has cleared Bar La Vida Loca in Newport of causing noise disturbances in the community after generating complaints from residents living within earshot of the venue.

The bar – also known as ‘The Crazy Life’ – has been trading in the northern beaches suburb for the last two years and offers entertainment including live music nights and open mic sessions.

Residents living near the venue took their complaints to Liquor and Gaming – claiming the sound of “live and amplified music with loud bass and drums” could be heard as late as midnight and was “excessive”.

One resident claimed the noise could be heard within their home when all windows and doors are closed which had disturbed “their quiet enjoyment” as well as “affected their ability to sleep’’.

A photo of the venue.

The lead complainant also took umbrage with the sound of karaoke nights, typically held at the venue on Wednesday nights.

Residents called on Liquor and Gaming to impose new conditions on the venue’s liquor licence including banning “live amplified music” and any other music that “creates excessive noise for neighbouring residents”

The Liquor and Gaming investigation heard one resident had made repeated calls to police over the last two years in response to noise emanating from the hotel.

The bar has been subject to noise complaints from residents.

La Vida Loca’s licensee Kashni Sharma told the Liquor and Gaming investigation the venue had put in place various measures to reduce disturbances including adding soundproofing panels to the ceiling of the to absorb noise.

She said the hotel has “tried to accommodate residents’’ – but noted the site trades as a music venue and therefore “some level of noise was to be expected from its operation.”

Ms Sharma said the venue also supports up and coming live bands.

The venue has traded since 2021.

“Ceasing to host live bands and entertainment at the hotel would not only have a negative effect on its business but will also remove its impact in contributing to the music industry,” she said.

Liquor and Gaming director of regulatory operations and enforcement Jane Lin – in her findings – said she was “not convinced the venue had disturbed” the “quiet and good order” of the neighbourhood.

“Overall, there is a lack of objective evidence to support a finding that the hotel has caused undue disturbance,” she said.

“I also acknowledge the noise mitigation strategies the hotel has adopted over time to reduce its noise impact

“I am of the view that this has had, and will continue to have, a positive effect in mitigating the hotel’s noise impact.

Speaking after the decisions, Ms Sharma said he was “relieved” by the outcome.

“It’s been very tough and we had to hire lawyers because there’s no way we could have done it on our own,” she said.

“Before we opened, there was a bar (at the site) that was there for 20 years and it always had live music.

“If you’re choosing to live in a commercial area on a main road where there’s a bar you should be prepared to expect some level of noise.

“We try our best to respect our neighbours.”