Akash Kumar is a salon owner turned software founder. After years of running a hair and beauty business in the UK — and getting caught out by PPL/PRS licensing letters — he built Sonosfera to solve the problem he lived through firsthand.
Background Music for Restaurants: The Complete Guide
Direct answer: For restaurants, match tempo to your service goal — 120+ BPM to turn tables faster at lunch, 60–80 BPM to increase average spend by up to 15% at dinner. A 50-cover restaurant typically pays £400–£600+/year for TheMusicLicence. Sonosfera costs £19.99/month with licensing included. Decide your busiest service and start there.
Fast facts
Slow music (60–80 BPM) increases average spend per head by up to 15% in table-service restaurants (North, Hargreaves & McKendrick, 1999)
TheMusicLicence for a 50-cover restaurant starts around £400–£600+/year + VAT (PPL PRS)
Restaurants are high-visibility venues — PPL PRS inspectors prioritise high-street sites with audible music
Sonosfera saves 50-cover restaurants ~£200–£400/year versus TheMusicLicence — see pricing
Live music requires a separate PPL PRS tariff on top of any recorded-music licence
Restaurant Music by Venue Type
Venue Type
BPM Target
Genre
Goal
Fine dining
60–80
Jazz Piano, Classical
Longer stays, higher spend
Casual dining / gastropub
90–110
Indie Folk, Acoustic, Soul
Warm energy, social buzz
Modern café / brunch
80–100
Lofi Hip Hop, Neo-Soul
Cool, creative atmosphere
Fast casual / burger
120–130
Upbeat Pop, Hip Hop
Fast turnover, high energy
You spend thousands on the interior design. You obsess over the menu. You train the staff to pour the perfect wine.
But what about the sound?
In a restaurant, music is not just background noise. It is the invisible decor. It determines whether a guest stays for dessert or asks for the bill. It determines whether your Friday night feels buzzing or chaotic.
Here is the complete guide to curating the perfect restaurant atmosphere. (Not sure if your current music setup is legal? Start with Can I Play Spotify in My Salon?)
The Psychology of Sound (BPM Matters)
Decades of research have proven a direct link between the tempo of background music and customer behaviour.
Sonosfera offers curated playlists specifically for hospitality.
"Dinner Jazz": Perfect for service.
"Sunday Brunch": Upbeat acoustic vibes.
"Cocktail Hour": Cool, sophisticated beats.
Because our music is Direct-Licensed, you avoid the PPL PRS fees entirely.
Cost: £19.99/month (£167.88/year).
Saving: ~£200 - £400+ per year.
Managing "Zones"
Does your bar area need louder music than your dining room?
With Sonosfera, you can run multiple zones.
Zone 1 (Dining): Slow Jazz at volume 3.
Zone 2 (Bar): Upbeat Soul at volume 6.
(Note: This requires a multi-zone amplifier setup or multiple devices).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I play a Spotify playlist in my restaurant?
A: No. Absolutely not. It is a breach of Spotify’s terms and illegal under copyright law.
Q: Can staff play their own music after hours (during cleanup)?
A: Technically, if the public has left, the "public performance" risk drops. However, PPL PRS considers playing music to employees as a licensable activity. Proceed with caution.
Q: What if I have live music?
A: Live music requires a specific PPL PRS tariff. Sonosfera only covers recorded background music. If you hire a band, you still need a licence for their performance.
General