The co-owner of a Montreal bar deplores the fact of having had to pay more than $100,000 in renovations and nearly $30,000 in fines, probably due to incessant complaints from a single neighbor about noise.
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“In recent years, we have worked just to [payer] that,” exasperates Danny Jobin, co-owner of the District Video Lounge.
This bar located on Sainte-Catherine Street in the Gay Village has been closed for a few days to carry out renovation work on its facade, in order to add a vestibule.
These renovations, which cost him $100,000, have only one objective: to reduce the nighttime buzz emitted by the bar whose concept is to play songs that customers request.
Photo Olivier Faucher
Work on the District Video Lounge was underway at Le Passage du Journal earlier this week.
“It was not [un problème] that we heard before and I have been in the profession for 25 years,” argues Mr. Jobin, in an interview with The newspaper.
The District Video Lounge was recently sanctioned by the Régie des alcools, des jeux et des courses court, earning it a four-day suspension of its bar license and a fine of $3,000.
From February 2019 to May 2022, Montreal police were called for excessive noise for 25 events, we learn in the decision.
A heavy bill
Danny Jobin regrets having admitted the wrongs of his establishment in court.
He says he has been a victim for seven long years of the stubbornness of a man who lives opposite the bar.
“We often went to court to plead our tickets, because it becomes argumentative. He started to attack us. He makes complaints about everything, everything, everything,” says Danny Jobin.
Meanwhile, the bill continues to grow for the owner, who would have calculated $200,000 in lost income, spent $75,000 in legal fees and paid some $26,000 in fines from the City of Montreal.
Photo Olivier Faucher
The co-owner, Danny Jobin
The 66-year-old resident at the heart of this case did not return our calls.
According to our research, he himself, ironically, had a ticket for noise in 2016.
Co-owner Danny Jobin reports having received no financial assistance from the City for his renovations.
“With all the problems of homelessness, drugs and uncleanliness in the Village, at some point, it becomes heavy,” he says.
New policy
The office of Mayor Valérie Plante says it supported those responsible for the bar “in the steps that proved necessary, following [sic] recurring noise complaints received.
An overhaul of the noise regulations will also be presented this summer.
It will aim “to respond to the noise issues experienced by owners like that of the District bar, while respecting the quality of life in our neighborhoods”.
– With the collaboration of Clara Loiseau
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