London Pub Restricts Noise After Resident Complains About "Faint Giggles"

London Pub Restricts Noise After Resident Complains About “Faint Giggles”

A nearby resident says “faint giggles” and quiet conversations from patrons disturb his sleep, so The Globe, a popular Baker Street pub, is facing new noise restrictions.

The pub, which is open until 12:30 a.m., was complained about by resident Michael Zelouf. Zelouf found laughter and murmuring from the pub’s outdoor area between midnight and 12:45 a.m. stressful and prevented him from sleeping.

The Westminster Council has ordered the Globe, a busy spot across from Baker Street Station, to impose six new restrictions. The pub must now post the manager’s number to nearby residents, closely monitor outdoor drinkers, and plan for managing outdoor spaces and dispersing customers at closing time.

The pub can remain open until 12:30 a.m. after the council’s review. Council officers found “no nuisance” during several visits, and local police have reported no antisocial behavior, the pub’s spokesperson said.

Zelouf sent several WhatsApp messages to support his complaints, despite the pub’s civilized reputation. According to a March message, “This is wrong. Now they’re shouting birthday.” Managers promised to control noise. Other April complaints said doormen weren’t removing customers from residential areas as the pub closed.

The Globe spokesperson said “murmuring and occasional laughter” is not a nuisance because most customers just linger on the pavement before leaving. While other residents have complained to local councilors, officials have not confirmed any outdoor pub issues.

The Globe will continue operations as usual, but its staff will follow the new restrictions to keep neighbors happy.

Mangesh Wakchaure is a veteran writer working at London Lens, focusing on foreign news coverage on a range of topics.