[Cuckoo123]

I'd always assumed (maybe wrongly) that restaurants and bars played music loudly so that patrons couldn't hold a proper conversation, and thus, drank more instead.

[crummy]

Sorry for the poor source, but according to one study at least that does seem to be the case.

https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2017/11/14/loud-music-drink...

[Cuckoo123]

It cites what sounds like pretty credible research. Although they could have probably got the same research by asking any group of 40yr+ cynics. :)

[adultSwim]

It's so you can't hear the drunk people who will be talking no matter what over the music.