Sonosfera was started by a salon operator who got caught out by PPL/PRS licensing letters and built the music platform they wished existed. The team behind this blog has spent years inside hair and beauty businesses, clinics, and hospitality venues — booking the bills, dealing with the licensing letters, and learning the hard way that most Spotify playlists don't work for a professional environment.
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 /month with certificate-ready Sonosfera catalogue scope. 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.
Best For: Fast food, lunch rush, busy cafes where you need seats back quickly.
2. Slow Tempo (60-80 BPM)
Effect: Relaxes the diner. Slows down eating.
Result: Customers stay longer. They order another round of drinks. They look at the dessert menu. Average spend per head increases by up to 15%.
Best For: Fine dining, date nights, evening service.
Genre Guide by Venue Type
One size does not fit all. Playing "Chart Hits" in a candlelit bistro ruins the mood. Playing "Classical Piano" in a burger joint kills the energy.
Here is what works:
The Fine Dining Restaurant
Goal: Sophistication, privacy, relaxation.
Genre: Jazz Piano, Classical, Ambient Acoustic.
Volume: Low. It should mask conversation from the next table but never interrupt the guests.
Avoid: Vocals (they distract), upbeat pop, rock.
The Casual Dining / Gastropub
Goal: Warmth, energy, social buzz.
Genre: Indie Folk, Acoustic Covers, Soft Rock, Soul.
Volume: Moderate. Enough to create a "buzz" in the room.
Avoid: Top 40 Radio (too generic), Heavy Metal.
The Modern Cafe / Brunch Spot
Goal: Cool, creative, energized but not frantic.
Genre: Lofi Hip Hop, Neo-Soul, Chill House.
Volume: Low-Moderate.
Avoid: High-tempo dance music (unless it’s a gym cafe).
The Fast Casual / Burger Joint
Goal: Energy, speed, fun.
Genre: Upbeat Pop, Classic Rock, Hip Hop.
Volume: Moderate-High.
Avoid: Anything slow or sad.
The Licensing Trap
Restaurants are visible. You have a door on the high street. You have reviews online. You are an easy target for PPL PRS inspectors.
A restaurant music licence is expensive because it is based on your "audible area" (often large) and capacity.
A standard restaurant (50 covers) can easily pay £400 - £600+ per year for TheMusicLicence.
If you don't pay it, you face fines tailored to your turnover.
Want to skip the complexity?Try Sonosfera free for 14 days — /month, Sonosfera catalogue playback covered for eligible paid accounts.
The Sonosfera Solution for Restaurants
Sonosfera offers curated playlists specifically for hospitality.
"Dinner Jazz": Perfect for service.
"Sunday Brunch": Upbeat acoustic vibes.
"Cocktail Hour": Cool, sophisticated beats.
Because Sonosfera documents its own catalogue scope, eligible Sonosfera playback stays separate from standard PPL/PRS repertoire. Check outside music, radio, DJs, live music, uploads, and third-party playlists separately.
Cost: /month (/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.
