Merida, Yucatan — Since first opening eight years ago, The DeLorean rocked on with impunity.
Now it is the first bar on record to be announcing it’s going to move to a place where it can rock on. Complaining neighbors and a toughened-up noise ordinance forced it and several others to shut down Aug. 24.
Until this instance, the city had never indicated that its backyard rock concerts were a problem, said Marcos Méndez, one of the partners who run the DeLorean.
Méndez told reporters that the owners are still trying to resolve the issue with city officials. “We must ensure that when we re-open, let’s not have the problem again,” he said.
He also mentioned that Ricky Martin’s free public concert, and an upcoming weekend festival in Chichi Suarez, will violate the stated decibel levels.
“Chichí Suárez is surrounded by houses; where are they going to measure it? Are they going to cancel it?” Méndez mused.
Twenty shows, including two on national tours, have been canceled since the DeLorean closed.
DeLorean’s owners are in search of a new location, but “moving a place is not so easy, all that entails, getting a suitable place” with the right layout and soundproofing that new regulations demand.
He describes his current Itzimna location as a commercial area. Indeed, most of his neighbors are businesses, although a Google satellite map indicates a private home on the other side of the outside stage.
About 20 people worked at the DeLorean Sound Sanctuary, Méndez said.