Ibiza Venue Closures
After announcing plans to impose strict measures on noisy San Antonio bars and nightclubs last October, the Ibiza council has followed through on its threat to impose noise regulations. Previously, the city council had required venues to close at 3:00 a.m. instead of 5:00 a.m.
Nine nighttime venues will be forced to close for a period of up to two weeks this summer during the island’s peak travel season. The council did not publicly name any of the venues affected by the law. However, the venues that attract high numbers of partygoing tourists are the suspected targets of the ordinance. The measure will force venues to close for the stipulated period of time after June 1. This is the busiest and most lucrative time of the year for bars and nightclubs.
Other Proposals
Mayor Josep Tur said the measures are aiming to restore the image of San Antonio. This comes after council chiefs claimed the West End has devalued its reputation. In order to change this, the Ibiza council made it a goal to make San Antonio an area of Special Acoustic Protection. To achieve this, an additional proposed change will force Terraces to close three hours earlier, at 11:00 p.m. instead of 2:00 a.m. This is pending a council vote that will take place next month. Fines so far have totaled £8,036 ($10,859 USD) for “acoustic contamination”. The Ibiza council has 44 unresolved noise complaints that it is working through from last summer. Once calculated, this could result in further fines of more than £30,000 ($40,540 USD) and closure orders for a sum of 93 days.
New Sound Maximums
The new law sets the maximum outside noise levels at 65 decibels. That is roughly equivalent to the noise level of an air conditioning unit while standing 100 feet away. Additionally, many bars and nightclubs will be required to install soundproofing and noise limiters in order to continue operations. Furthermore, the ordnance temporarily bans new venue openings until there is a reduction in noise levels.
Researchers found noise levels in San Antonio last summer to be as high as 85.9 decibels. That is more than 20 decibels higher than the new law allows. To put that in perspective, the average freeway produces 70-80 decibels at a distance of 50 feet away. In comparison, the average food blender produces 88 decibels. According to studies, noise at 85 decibels can cause possible hearing damage after 8 hours of exposure.
Venue owners are planning to appeal the new measures. They are voicing concerns that the new measure will drain the life from San Antonio. This is because travelers will turn to more vibrant areas of the island.
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