JENSEN BEACH — The downtown Jensen Beach bar scene has been a little quieter than usual lately.

A rule limiting noise at entertainment venues passed last month to give Martin County residents some peace and quiet. But it’s also giving a financial migraine to live music bars, specifically ones with outdoor entertainment such as Crawdaddy’s and JB Pip’s Tiki Bar and Grill in Jensen Beach.

“We just had our 10-year anniversary, and this is by far the biggest blow we’ve had,” Crawdaddy’s owner Mark Kren said. “It’s like a stake in my heart.”

On Feb. 10, the Martin County Commission passed an ordinance banning noise from traveling 150 yards beyond an entertainment venue’s property line during the day and evening. From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., sound can’t leave its property lines.

Venues in violation can receive a maximum fine of $500.

Resident Kate Harper, a 36-year-old mother of two small children living on Skyline Drive, about 500 feet west of JP Tip’s Tiki Bar and Grill, said the rule will help with a persistent noise problem at the bar.

“I love small businesses,” Harper said. “But when a business owner refuses to work with you, it shouldn’t come to the point, as a mom, when my kids say they can’t sleep at night.”

As of Monday, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office hadn’t issued a citation for the rule, said Rhonda Irons, the department’s media relations officer.

But warnings to quiet their music or face penalties have some bars rethinking their music setups, or in some cases, shutting down music for the night.

The Friday before Mardi Gras, a deputy warned Crawdaddy’s, which is on Jensen Beach Boulevard. The manager shut down music at 10:15 p.m., costing Crawdaddy’s about $2,500 to $3,000 in revenue for the night, Kren said.

To limit noise, Crawdaddy’s has moved its stage behind the bar. Of the 14 tables outdoors, only three or four can see the live entertainment now, Kren said.

Kren also invested in a noise meter and emergency floodlights that turn on if the music gets too loud. Additionally, a manager can shut down the lights and music with a switch immediately if bands continue playing over the limit.

JB Pip’s Tiki Bar and Grill on Pineapple Avenue received a warning early in March to cut their music.

Owner Susan Eilenberg estimates she could lose $1,500 a week with the new rules. The next measure she’ll try is putting a tent around the music, she said.

Both bars now shut down their music at 11:30 p.m. at the latest, the owners said.

“Of course it empties out when the music stops,” Eilenberg said. “It’s terrible. They have no idea what they’re doing to the businesses.”

Live music bars farther away from residential communities, like The Ashley in downtown Stuart, have received fewer complaints, said general manager Tara Carlen.

Within reason, downtown areas deserve added leeway, according to one commissioner.

“I’d be willing to be more lenient in downtown areas to get people more involved and bring in commerce,” said Martin County Commissioner Patrick Hayes. “Living downtown, there has to be some give and take. But everyone’s never going to be happy with one ordinance.”
By Jonathan Mattise

Tags: bars, beach, children, commissioners, communication, deputies, deputy, driving, emergency, fines, kids, mom, mother, noise, ordinance, property, Shell, sheriff, Stuart, travel, yard

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 at 9:24 am and is filed under Entertainment, Jensen Beach, Martin County, Treasure Coast business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.