The reasons given by the Regent Theatre for objecting to a neighbouring bar applying for a new on-licence include the bar being noisy and its patrons ''insulting and intimidating'' theatre-goers.
But the bar owner rejects claims it is an ''annoying neighbour'' and believes any issues can be avoided by ''opening lines of communication''.
In Dunedin on Tuesday, the District Licensing Committee considered the application for the new on-licence for the Stuart St Mac's Brew Bar, in the lower Octagon.
The applicant company DWB Octagon, co-owned by Dunedin brothers Mark and Nicholas Fraser, has been operating under a temporary authority since January 30.
The application was publicly notified and attracted one objection, from the Regent Theatre.
In a letter, theatre director Sarah Anderson, who was overseas on Tuesday, said the grounds for opposition were because bar patrons at bars near the theatre had been ''insulting and intimidating'' to theatre patrons on occasions.
The levels of nuisance and vandalism in the area were ''extremely high'', Ms Anderson said.
The design and layout of the bar's outdoor area covered public footpath and made accessing the theatre difficult.
Noise coming from musicians performing in the bar's outdoor area could be heard inside the theatre and negatively affected the experience of theatre patrons.
Mark Fraser, speaking at the meeting, said he was ''confident'' there were no issues with patrons from his bar clashing with theatre-goers since they took over the bar at the start of the year.
''We have done everything we can to enable safe passage through ... There is no advantage to us by being annoying neighbours.''
He disputed claims of excessive noise from his bar because a musician played an acoustic set on a guitar until 11pm.
Theatre technical manager Nelson Miles, speaking at the meeting, said if bar owners and theatre staff jointly created a plan for future bookings at the theatre it would be mutually beneficial.
Theatre marketing manager Hannah Molloy, speaking at the meeting, said a discussion to mitigate issues would be helpful and needed to be ''robust'' but the theatre did not want bar owners restricted so much they could not conduct their businesses.
''We don't see a need for a hard-and-fast line to be drawn.''
Mark Fraser said he wanted to work with the theatre to avoid conflict.
''Hopefully with an open dialogue we can work through these problems ... we have no issue in clearing the air and getting on with it and trying to work together the best we can ... if those lines of communication are open, then we can talk about it sensibly.''
The police and medical officer of health did not oppose the licence being granted.
The committee reserved its decision.
