Wetherspoons has barred customers from playing music or taking phone calls on loudspeakers in hopes of creating an ‘oasis of tranquility’.

The pub chain said punters were being driven ‘nuts’ by the antisocial noise.

Wetherspoons introduced the ban across its 792 venues on Monday, saying sounds from smartphones and tablets had become an ‘increasing problem in recent years’.

The company said in a statement: ‘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.’

Wetherspoons is the first pub chain to forbid people from using loudspeakers on its premises.

All 792 pubs have put up signs telling customers to use headphones or put their phones on mute.

Wetherspoon chairman and founder Sir Tim Martin said: ‘In a world dominated by other people’s music and amplified sound, Wetherspoon pubs are an oasis of tranquillity and contemplation.

‘In order to avoid customers being driven chicken jalfrezi by a cacophony of sound, we are kindly asking phone users to pipe down.’

The move comes after Transport for London launched a ‘Headphones On’ awareness campaign last year.

The Liberal Democrats have also called for fines of up to £1,000 for ‘headphone dodgers’ who blast music out loud on buses and trains.

A poll in 2025 suggested that 62% of people would back the idea, while 28% opposed the fines.

The proposal was most popular among pensioners, with three-quarters of respondents supporting it.

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