Noise Bubbles Up At Montañas

After Las Montañas restaurant in Telluride, Colo., supported the neighboring Bubble Lounge bar when it faced numerous noise complaints and a possible shutdown, the eatery thought the bar would have its back. Instead, the bar called in a noise complaint on the restaurant August 1.

Trombone Shorty was playing until the cops showed up at midnight and shut down the eatery with a ticket for unnecessary noise, according to Telluride’s Daily Planet. The ticket, the first citation the restaurant has received for noise in its more than three years of operation, could result in a fine of up to $1,000.

"We were disturbed to learn that it was in fact our competition, the Bubble Lounge, who called in the complaint," Brian Ahern, a manager at Montañas, told the paper. "Since we supported the Bubble Lounge all through their hearings with town council and what not, I know at least speaking for myself, I feel betrayed."

Bubble Lounge, which features live music along with its flavored oxygen, avoided shutdown only after a packed meeting with the town liquor board. A huge crowd of supporters showed up at Rebekah Hall to support the bar, chanting "Save the Bubble Lounge." The lounge has received multiple noise complaints, four citations and $1,850 in fines.

The bar is a block away from the restaurant and separated by a row of large, three-story buildings – but Bubble Lounge co-owner Kelly Randazzo said this didn’t stop the noise from traveling to the club.

"If people are going to act like we’re the only irresponsible bar that’s disturbing the town, that’s bull****," Randazzo, who owns the bar with her husband Troy Wilsey, told the Daily Planet.

The Bubble Lounge’s lawyer offered up an apology and said the bar was just trying to prove a point. They said they’d try to help get the Las Montañas ticket thrown out.

"It’s obvious that Troy made a mistake," Bubble Lounge lawyer Dick Unruh said. "He was trying to show the ludicrousness of the ordinance."

Las Montañas’ talent buyer, Scott Richards, wasn’t too grateful for the bar’s efforts.

"I don’t even know what to say about that. How dare they? After the way people have bent over backwards to keep their license," Richards told the Daily Planet. "That’s just ridiculous."