I've noticed bars being loud, I've almost never found a restaurant to be overwhelmingly loud. This might be because I don't like to let fussiness get in the way of having a good time. I suppose if you are a fussy bastard there are all kinds of things that could ruin your evening. People with hearing aids have a hard time with background music. If someone complains about music at a reasonable volume I generally apologize touch the nob without moving it (fussy people are going to be unhappy no matter what). If a person with hearing aids or who is elderly asks me I lower it until they give me the nod or until it's a the lowest audible volume that I can still hear it. I had an argument with someone about phone dB apps the other day. I said they were shit and the person I was talking too said they were gospel truth. It was annoying. I'm sure someday they will be reliable but today isn't that day. $50k is a shit load of apps and desserts. No first time restaurant that has a chance of making it would ever do it.