Local bars get raw deal in Sunday music law
(CNS): Former premier Alden McLaughlin (RED) has urged government to amend the Music and Dance Law to level the playing field for local bars because, unlike restaurants and bars in hotels, they are not permitted to play any music on Sundays. Speaking in Parliament last week, McLaughlin said many stand-alone bars that are Caymanian-owned are losing money because of this.
Tabling his first private member’s motion since the elections in May 2021, he asked the government to change the legislation to include these licensed bars and allow them to play low-level music, provided it cannot be heard outside, putting them in the same position as restaurants and hotels.
He said he did not know what the rationale was at the time the law was drafted not to allow regular bars to play music, but it has led to a situation where the bars and restaurants along the Seven Mile strip can play music and have dancing on Sundays, “while local bars, which are Caymanian owned, without exception are not allowed to have even background music”.
They were losing out and it was leading to complaints, McLaughlin said, noting that what is known to be his own local bar, Country and Western, cannot play any music, but anyone can leave, get in their car, drive to a bar in Seven Mile and hear music.
He said he did not believe the law impacted churchgoers, as he doubted that anyone turning up at a liquor-licensed establishment on a Sunday evening had any intention to go to church, even if maybe they should.
As government accepted the motion, Commerce Minister André Ebanks noted that 58 bars were unfairly impacted and said he, too, could not understand the logical reason for leaving these bars out. But he said the law had been changed piecemeal over the years, so he wanted to take a holistic approach to amend the law, including addressing how government measures decibels.
But McLaughlin argued against waiting for a complete review of the law, especially the question of measuring noise levels since it had taken more than 20 years to get the administrative arm of government to come up with a measure relating to decibels outside.
He said the fix for the question of music just required government to add stand-alone bars to the background music provision; otherwise, the local bars would face more inequity. In the last few months, police officers have been enforcing the provision and issuing warnings to bar owners. McLaughlin said he had been reliably informed that the police had been instructed to begin enforcing this provision, adding that he had been in a bar when this had happened.
“This is going to continue to be a very irksome and unfair situation, in particular as these are all Caymanian establishments, if this is not dealt with swiftly,” he said. “I am fearful when I hear the minister say that this is going to require a complete overhaul of the legislation, for I know too well that he may demit office before that is completed,” he said.
McLaughlin said he was grateful for the government’s support of the motion but disappointed it was going to take the outlined approach, and he asked the minister to rethink this issue.
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Category: Business, Food and Drink, Laws, Politics
Alden, you are no Sir for me.
A year after the public rejected your governance, your first and only Private Member’s Motion just shows how shallow you thoughts and concerns for issues affecting the future of our Islands.
Alden, you and Big Mac are so alike that the two of you should just officially enter into a Civil Union.
The money we pay you to be the MLA for my constituency of Red Bay is a total waste of time. I had some doubts when voting for you but this motion just confirmed that my vote was definitely wrongly placed.
Not too sure about Sammy either, however now very sure that I should have given him a chance to prove if he could be a good MP.
This motion of yours has caused me to loose any hope of you taking up any real meaningful generational Caymanian causes.
PPM continues to fail Caymanians.
You are a pitiful bar fly!
Raw truth. Alden you are done.
Well if he didnt deserve knighthood before….he ahould be like double knight or king now. But seriously kind of surprised the same dude that gave away the country still goes out in public. Be sure to point him out to your kids as the guy who made them ditch diggers.
2.05pm Mac gave away the country but how soon we forget.
He sold some with status give aways but Alden and Marco gave permits and PR to anyone that could pay in a policy that remains in effect today. Seemingly permanently changing environment to the point where we now have to beg for equal opportunity in our own country. Effectively that gave and are giving away tens of thousands more.
of all the issues in Cayman and this is what Sir ALden choose as his first private members motion in the House….is it that he is loosing more money after all these Caymanians are dying off during the past year and the ppl they’re letting on Island that make enough and prefer to drink on Sundays are only drinking at the 7Mile beach strip bars & restaurants, so this is his only brain-scheme idea to try and make back the dollars back? Andre answered him correctly “let’s review the law first”, but Alden wants to plead that he don’t so Andre won’t/don’t see that there is no law against soft played music in a bar on a Sunday, just not live music or loud music to be played. I just wish that Alden would’ve came up with a better motion or at least one with more importance to Parliament. Why not address the fact that Mac is still sitting in a position of power and such noble standing after being convicted of violently assaulting a woman whilst being belligerently drunk at a West Bay Road bar! Something is not adding up here….this stuff stinks of something unseemingly!!
The first motion moved by SIr Alden QC. he said this..
**”They were losing out and it was leading to complaints, McLaughlin said, noting that what is known to be his own local bar, Country and Western, cannot play any music, but anyone can leave, get in their car, drive to a bar in Seven Mile and hear music.**
So based on this, Alden, instead of telling his complainers not to drink and drive, he wants to allow them to stay where they are for longer, enjoy the music and drive home afterwards…Only Alden!!
Alden, destroying Cayman one decision at a time: that is, time and time again.
I thought all businesses were locally owned. %60 local ownership to get a business license isnt it? Can we stop trying to stoke the fire
Not if you get a Local Companies Control Licence. Can then have 100% foreign ownership.
Yes, while that is true. LCCL grants/renewals has now become an abused system, which is going to be altered in due course. So, those of you that think it’s going to stay the same, keep dreaming. Enjoy it while it lasts.
There is an exemption. Go read the law.
Speaking of Sundays – how is books and books (the new name is so stupid I refuse to use it!) at camana bay allowed to open on Sundays?
By understanding the law.
Wish all stores were open on Sunday!
Me too but books and books isn’t a store for tourists so shouldn’t be open sundays. One rule for dart.
Does no one think of the Seventh Day Adventists? Ban music and dancing on Saturdays for the love of God!
Looks like someome had a brainstem storming session at sea inn last sunday.
Is it possible to have a brainstem without having a brain?
Yes they are effectively fluid heads…..sufficient to effect primary activities like breathing and seemingly running a Caribbean country into the ground.
Same irrational/random Alden that banned leaving one’s home to go for a walk or run on a Sunday during March to May 2020?
Yes, but also appears you are the same Covid-denying fool you were back in March to May 2020.
Non relevant. He was trying to protect us. Different dog puppy.
From what?
Make it so and can we get an upgraded juke box at South Coast bar too?
And Power Supply.
A hand cranked juke box wouldn’t need a power supply.
Power Supply the bar; and they could add Kumbaya and other happy tunes to the playlist.
Alden all of a sudden cares about his own people. Go sit down. LOL
Now that Alden’s popularity has diminished, this is a ploy to prop up popularity.
Popularity? What popularity?
@10:18am Not all people, just the ones that want to go to South Coast, Station and Country & Western…aka his MP offices.
Caymanians know that you don’t care about us Madan Alden.
Serious alcohol and spiritual issue in Cayman. There is more defense of bars than local business, poverty or the children. We all remember his comments on if we should return to church or not. This bar issue has been put to forefront ahead of many other much more relevant issues. Cayman wake up.
Greed is the biggest issue here, moreso than alcohol and its responsible for poverty
Greed is always growing……… Always was, always will be.
So Alden is telling us that he was in a bar on a Sunday? Quelle horreur! I am sure his constituents will be horrified.
9:18, He is in a bar most days Bobo.
All of the problems ongoing in Cayman and this is the focus… ok.
Lookin votes!
Helping friends
#Johnnies
Completely agree but if it is such an easy fix why didn’t they fix it when they were the ruling party?
8:39, He has had more time to think about it at one of the many watering holes he frequents to discuss strategy.
Wait, Alden drinks??
too busy doing-nothing. what did you expect do-nothing-ppm?
it took kurt tibbitts 5 years to do west bay road spped reduction.
Exactly!
Face it, citizens…………. We’ve had some shiddy leadership!
Government (police/ T&B / Liquor license) didn’t actually start enforcing this law until the beginning of this year.
My educated guess for enforcing it was limiting the spread of Covid… though that didn’t actually help the spread of covid lol
I agree the rules should be the same for everyone. However can we please set a lower sound limit? Tillies is nearly deafening and if you just want to sit quietly on the beach it’s a bit inconsiderate.
First address the noise coming from the churches every Sunday morning.
I am rudely awoken each week by the inconsiderate cat screeching sounds coming from by King’s Sports Centre.
You live in a strong Christian jurisdiction.
Tillies no longer rages the way it used to…
Tillie’s I hope starts treating Caymanians better. Seems that, if you are a foreigner, the red carpet gets rolled out.
If Matt, Gabbie and Simon are going to make this work, certainly in the long run, some things will have to change.
If not, which is not desirable, the proprietor of the property might pull back the support for their business venture.
I remember being turned away from Tillie’s because I was a Caymanian, and this was not able to patronize Tillie’s on Lobster & Burger night. But, before tourists were back, they were very happy to take my money.
More importantly, people need to be able to get drunk earlier on a Sunday so they have adequate time to recover for work on Monday. Not all of us can afford the Seven Mile Beach Brunches so can we not get the local bars and the liquor stores open earlier?!
You could always stock up on booze on Saturday …
Or you could go to church on a Tuesday.
Meanwhile banners of half naked women are displayed along our roads and where’s the “lgbtqia2s+” community? Why are all people represented during Carnival promotions. Is this not a male Chauvinism!!!!!!! Cayman displaying women is degrading not to mention the parade of hedonism.
oh jesus shut uppppppppppppppppp
LGBTQ+ had a float in Batabano.
You know if you go to the beach there are thousands of people wearing barely anything at all!!!
But not drinking, dancing and grinding women.
While you are at it, give these businesses a real opportunity to make money and extend the opening hours on Saturday night.
Bars should be open until 1:00 am and 2:00 on Thursday Friday and Saturday.
Nightclubs should be open until 2:00 am and 4:00 on Thursday Friday and Saturday.
Compressing the island night life to just one big night causing binging, staying out as late as possible and issues happen en mass on Friday.
Less issues will occur when people can go out whenever they want.
8:13, Bars close by 12am Saturday to observe the sabbath on Sunday yet bars open on Sunday before Church services conclude…….
Just another example of Cayman logic.
What a bunch of crap you talk!
2:16, If bars are open at 10am on Sunday……and most church services are still in session….
Music is already allowed in bars on Sunday, according to the Music and Dance (Control) Law. It is supposed to be “low background music” not to be heard beyond the borders of the bar property.
This has been the case since 2005 when the original M&DL was gazetted. It has not been enforced in many bars which blatantly ignore it.
No change needed. Enforce the law. The primary difficulty is that this is Liquor Control Board law, and not Penal Code, so requires a LLCB inspector to enforce.
Except that is NOT what the law says. Try reading it. Any establishment with a liquor licence or where food and drink is supplied for a charge is subject to the law, unless they are exempt premises. The popular belief that hotels are exempt is also wrong – its only in areas of the hotel not open to the general public. The “background music provision you refer to only applies to restaurants and hotels, and NOT bars.
Does this mean SMB bars are not Caymanian owned? How is that?
Some of them are. But there is no prohibition against foreign ownership of a bar – still need to get a trade and business licence, and to do so have to jump through the hoops to get a Local Companies Control law licence. But bar ownership or management is not a profession reserved exclusively for Caymanians.
He is speaking about the one in the south
Footloose, Footloose, kick off your Sunday Shoes!
Music in bars on Sundays is preferable ovwr leaf blowers,dump trucks air brakes, and all of the generally annoying construction noise.
Leaf blowers must be banned immediately.
Tell that to the idiot with his blower at the Truman bodden complex with his noise at 5 in the morning! Needles to say no one is responding to my complaints at the sports ministry.
Call the police.
where do the leafs go?
In someone else’s yard.
Leaves
But they provide a vital service to the community. By blowing one load of dross to join it with another load of dross to make one big load of dross that then gets distributed by the first passing car or truck. Rinse and repeat.
If music is allowed in churches on Sundays, then it must also be allowed in bars.
Only religious music should be played in bars on Sundays
Only death metal should be played in churches on a Sunday.
Thank God we are finally getting to the important stuff.
Sounds like a good idea
This law is extremely stupid to begin with. How is music played at a bar even affect the cultis… I mean… “churchgoers”?
You should look at the press coverage if the contested licence application for Alfredos in West Bay to get the definitive answer. The argument made by the local church was that good church goers would be on their way to church, but then lured into the establishment instead. Its similar to the midnight cut off rule – you will be too hungover or tired to go to church.
Fourth paragraph, leave a bar, get in your car and drive to another bar! Hmmm
No shortage of MLAs been in that position! The ones we found out about usually being punctuated by “hit something with your car” or “fall asleep in your car” Of course, Big Mac took it to a new level of “leave a bar, get someone else to drive you to another bar, then violently assault a staff member”.
A million problems with this little island and that’s what your only concern is about, local bars playing music and selling liquor on a Sunday, what about all the DUIs and accidents across the 3 islands that’s causing caymanians and expats to lose their lives, all of unnu is just mouth champions.
Since they don’t support gay marriage because its not christian, they shouldn’t support drinking or music on god’s commanded day of rest.
Fairs fair bobo.
Absolutely. Obvious. This shouldn’t even be debated.
All this so Alden could use “demit” in a statement.
Ya think he knows what it means?
Leave it to Aldean to look out for local bars as he loves them.
looking out for them but only AFTER he is not in power lmaooo so they have something to moan about lmao
what a wack party they are.
Isn’t it live music on Sunday which is against the present law? But perhaps even that is being broken and such cases should be specifically prosecuted. There has been no restriction on recorded music or radio being played inside a bar for decades (ever?). I do recall debate on this in the Legislative Assembly some years ago, thought that’s where the law left in then……or is this deja vu?
Is it that SMB bars are so flagrantly breaking the law with impunity or that “Caymanian-owned local” bars didn’t get the memo?
…but Sir Alden QC should know more about the law than I.
Shut up! Give us peace on sunday will ya! Lol
Well, if you are not in the bar and music cant be heard outside….
stay home then
I always get piece on a Sunday, after I’ve been at the bar all day.
Alden is now concerned about unfairness to Caymanians? Epitome of an oxymoron.
Think Cayman has bigger issues Alden.
do-nothing-ppm are now asking do-nothing-no-plan-pact to do something….
guess what the outcome will be?
welcome to wonderland.
and this story should be a stark reminder to those who think there will be any movement on cannabis or casinos anytime soon.
there is a reason why the national symbol is a turtle…..
Of course this is a sensible idea, as is Sunday shopping, but the ulterior subtext (and there’s always one with Alden) is that he’s really daring PACT to alienate the most pious of the Christian voter base…Alden’s voter base (and why PPM keep loosing). That lobby doesn’t retain the power it once held and Wayne should call his bluff.
and people wonder why some people view caymanians as backward ignorant and stubborn?
Does Alden & André really believe that this is the biggest problem facing Cayman or even Caymanian small business owners?
Hooray – Sir Alden to the rescue!
You lost me at church. Religion and politics do not mix.
That egg was scrambled years ago here…
This guy sold the future of every caymanian….why is he still here? Go count your money on your farm in Honduras you waste of space.
Did you mean farm in East End? Or does Alden have a farm in Honduras?
No criticism of owning a farm in Cayman or Honduras. Just curious if Alden has two farms or just one.
No one stop workers working on construction sites that it making more noise than bars music on sundays!
Did Alden point out that his governments did not address this now important point? Maybe he should be disappointed that his governments did not address it.
I agree. Alden seemed so busy with ensuring that there was quid pro quo for his wealthy campaign contributors and his Lodge brothers, that he did not have time for regular Caymanians.
Make no mistake about it. Alden’s political self-life is up and is past expiration. Since he has to rally the Caymanian voters to make a play aimed at being Premier again, Alden now needs to make it look like he cares about Caymanians.
Alden should go back to being an attorney. He was good at that once upon a time. Now that he’s a Queens Counsel, I want to see if he still got it. I liked him far better as a lawyer than a politician.
So it took 20 years for our illustrious world class civil service to come up with decibel levels? And our elected officials are unwilling to call them out? Protecting votes while our civil service destroys us?
Weird issue from the man who hated lone pool service workers during his lock up.
The knighted former premier’s first private member’s motion since 2021 is to implement rules encouraging the consumption of alcohol in a country with a high incidence of DUIs and alcohol abuse. Can’t make this shi* up. Says it all really, what a leader.
With all the social issues and this what he picks as his first motion after receiving a knighthood! A real shame, Knighthood has no real meaning to this One! Act the part the or return the gift!
And apparently to completely misstate what the current law actually is, notwithstanding that he is a QC.
Embarrassing when a QC cannot perform at QC-level of competence.
Errrrr…. Why didn’t he do it…
Oh come on. Drink elsewhere if you must drink on a Sunday.
at church?