The social drinker

The smoking ban makes a lot of sense, but it also makes for a lot of noise. Having scores of drinkers standing in the street, or sitting at outdoor tables, while roaring their heads off, is more than a little unfair on the neighbours.

There was a time in the bad old days when neighbours could at least be sure that pubs in suburban and urban areas would close at a reasonable hour, but, with so many pubs applying for — and getting — late licences, those days are gone. Opening hours have been effectively abolished, but that does not mean that other rules, such as the regulations governing noise, should be ignored as well.

More people than ever want to live in cities, and the census figures show that, almost everywhere, population in urban areas is increasing. To a degree, people moving into cities are looking for the energy that one associates with pubs, clubs and 24-hour shops, but they also need to sleep at night.

No two people will ever quite agree on the correct balance between the competing rights of those who want sleep and those who want to party, but the balance has to be struck. Otherwise, the entire thing is left to the publican, or more often, the publican’s inexperienced young bartenders.

I never thought I’d write these lines, but sometimes, just sometimes, I wish the gardai would do their job occasionally and raid a bar. Not an old-fashioned raid with a sergeant holding a torch as drinkers huddle in the toilets, but a raid with a noise detector and an on-the-spot fine for publicans who show total disdain for their neighbours.