Max HeyraudThe newly opened Dublin hotel, The Hoxton Dublin, has taken legal action against neighbouring late-night venue Yamamori Izakaya, which has operated from its South Great George’s Street location for over 30 years, over alleged excessive music noise.
According to an affidavit from hotel manager Stephan Ernest, the hotel has experienced “repeated and serious noise nuisance” since reopening on November 20th following extensive refurbishment of the former Central Hotel building.
Music at Yamamori is played five nights a week, Wednesday to Saturday, generally from 11pm until 3am, and until 2.30am on Sundays. The hotel claims the elevated noise levels during late-night and early-morning hours have significantly interfered with guests’ stays.
The matter was brought before the High Court, where counsel for Trinity Hospitality, which operates The Hoxton, estimated projected losses of approximately €300,000 by the end of March due to rooms being unavailable as a result of the alleged noise from the venue.
We must remember the Agent of Change principle, which dictates that the person or business responsible for introducing a new land use is responsible for managing the impact of that change on pre-existing businesses or residents. The principle is intended to protect established, lawful venues, such as music venues, pubs or industrial sites, from noise complaints and restrictive conditions arising from new developments.
Permission was granted for a short service of proceedings on the defendant, with only the Hoxton side represented in court. The judge indicated that the case may return before the court next week.
The outcome could prove significant for Dublin’s late-night economy, particularly as more hotel developments open alongside long-established nightlife venues in the city centre.
