Sixty-six noise complaints had been made against Lone Star Cafe and Bar on George St by three complainants from the Alexis Motor Lodge & Motel, opposite the restaurant, since the Lone Star opened in 2013.
Dunedin City Council environmental health and alcohol licensing compliance solutions team leader Carlo Bell said 53 of the complaints were not upheld by noise control officers, and the problem was ''mostly resolved by 2014''.
Six noise complaints, one resulting in a $500 fine, had been upheld this year.
The motelier, who did not want to be named, said they had taken ownership of the motel in 2014 and the complaints included ones made by the previous owner.
The previous owner had ''huge issues'' about the noise coming from the Lone Star, the motelier said.
The motelier declined to comment further.
Lone Star Cafe and Bar owner Nicholas Nilsen told district licensing committee chairman Colin Weatherall, deputy chairman Andrew Noone and member Colin Lind the business had made attempts to reduce the noise.
This included the creation of a noise management plan, which was now in its third draft, but he believed the motelier expected ''no noise'' from the business.
On November 19 the motelier texted the Lone Star about a perceived noise issue, but before it was resolved by staff the motelier arrived at the Lone Star and yelled an expletive at customers, the hearing heard.
The incident was ''hugely disturbing'', Mr Nilsen said.
The Lone Star was in Dunedin's ''central activity zone'', with night time limits of 60 decibels and the motel across the road was in a residential zone with 40 decibels.
The difference in the limits for the premises, which were separated by a road was ''massive'', Mr Bell said.
The Lone Star had also tried to reduce noise by stopping live music in the courtyard and front bar.
The music had brought in ''many customers and substantially increased trade'', he said.
He proposed doors on upstairs decks be locked from 11pm to prevent unnecessary noise.
Mr Bell said he believed keeping people off the decks would be an effective measure to minimise noise.
The Lone Star would also consider installing PVC noise curtains under the decks and surrounding the garden bar to reduce noise in outside areas.
The noise issue could largely be solved by ensuring the balcony doors remained closed from a set time, Mr Nilsen said.
The Lone Star would operate under its existing alcohol licence until a ruling was made.
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Could be considered a little rich of the Alexis establishment, considering the content of their website's homepage: "...central city Dunedin motel accommodation", it says. And "...located on Dunedin’s main street... opposite Lone Star Restaurant. This is the village end of Dunedin with its low-rise boutique shops, pubs and restaurants. Our motel accommodation is within close walking proximity to almost anything" they boast (and, rightfully so). So, on the one hand they're using their proximity to the central city as a selling point, and indeed leverage their relationship with the Lone Star to help upsell their location, but then, when the very entity they're linking to makes some noise...