Dublin Rave Protest Outside Hoxton Hotel Over Yamamori Izakaya Noise Dispute

A protest turned into a street rave outside the Hoxton Hotel in Dublin on 17 February after the hotel tried to take legal action against Yamamori Izakaya because of noise complaints.

People gathered on Exchequer Street with speakers and electronic music to show support for Yamamori, a restaurant and late-night bar that has been part of Dublin’s nightlife for many years. Many protesters said they are worried about the future of music venues in the city.

The Hoxton Hotel, which reopened last year in the former Central Hotel building, says music from Yamamori caused complaints from guests and affected some hotel rooms. The hotel says it is not trying to close the venue, but wants official sound testing and a long-term solution to reduce noise.

Yamamori shared a statement on social media saying it strongly disagrees with the hotel’s claims. The venue said it had already carried out sound testing in the past and installed a sound limiter. It also said it finds it hard to accept that nightlife is not being threatened.

Both sides have now carried out joint sound testing and say they hope to find a solution. But for many people at the protest, the issue is bigger than one venue. They say protecting nightlife and cultural spaces in Dublin is important for the city’s future.