JD Wetherspoon has banned customers from playing music or taking calls on speaker across its 792 pubs after Wetherspoons noise complaints grew around sound from phones and tablets. The British chain introduced the rule on Monday and told customers to switch phones to silent or use earphones.
Wetherspoon said sounds from smartphones and tablet computers had become an increasing problem in recent years. Its statement said: "Following complaints from customers, who are being driven nuts by other people’s videos and amplified phone conversations, Wetherspoon has asked customers to switch their phones to silent or to use earphones."
Sir Tim Martin and Wetherspoon
Sir Tim Martin, the chairman and founder, cast the rule as a fit with the company’s own image. "In a world dominated by other people’s music and amplified sound, Wetherspoon pubs are an oasis of tranquillity and contemplation," he said.
He added: "In order to avoid customers being driven chicken jalfrezi by a cacophony of sound, we are kindly asking phone users to pipe down." The policy covers the full estate, so the same rule now applies whether a customer is in one pub or another of the chain’s 792 sites.
London and public noise
The move sits alongside earlier efforts to curb loud audio in public settings. Sadiq Khan rolled out a campaign last year encouraging people to use headphones when playing music on London's transport network, while the Liberal Democrats have previously called for fines of up to £1,000 for headphone dodgers who play music out loud on buses and trains.
A YouGov poll published in 2025 suggested 62% of people would back that approach, while 28% would oppose the Liberal Democrats' proposed fines. The poll surveyed 6,815 British adults, with almost three-quarters of pensioners in support and people aged between 18 and 24 split 47-43 in favour.
Muswell Hill in 1979
The company traces its history to 1979, when it opened its first pub in Muswell Hill in north London. The first pub was called Martin’s Free House and was renamed to Wetherspoons early the following year.
For customers, the new rule is simple: keep phone audio off speaker, use silent mode or earphones, and expect the ban to apply wherever they go inside the chain. How Wetherspoon will enforce the speaker ban across its 792 pubs is not stated.
