Wetherspoons bans loud music and speakerphone calls in its Irish pubs

Why Wetherspoons is asking drinkers to put phones on silent

It runs six pubs in the Republic and three in the North, including The South Strand at Hanover Quay in Dublin.

In a statement to The Journal, a spokesperson said the chain has “always had a policy of not having music”.

Some of its pubs trading as Lloyds play music at certain times, but the majority do not, partly to aid conversation, partly to save on licensing costs.

The newer problem, the spokesperson said, is smartphones and iPads.

Wetherspoons spokesperson said in a statement to The Journal: "An increasing problem in recent years relates to smartphones and iPads, which are used for videos or telephone conversations.

"Customers are being driven nuts by other people’s videos and amplified phone conversations."

Drinkers are now being asked to switch their phones to silent or to use earphones.

The two bans aimed at limiting noise in Wetherspoons pubs land in an Irish drinking culture already used to rules being tightened, from Gardaí policing outdoor drinking to venues clamping down on phones during live sets.

Whether it changes much in practice is another matter, because enforcement rests with the staff on the floor.

But if the ban holds, the Irish Wetherspoons will be that bit quieter for anyone trying to get through the JOE Friday Pub Quiz without a stranger’s TikTok in the background.