BLOOMINGTON - The clash between noisy taverns and their residential neighbors continues to be a struggle for the Bloomington City Council.

The council discussed the noise issue for nearly an hour during an unrelated topic about removing closing time restrictions on downtown bar Six Strings, 525 N. Center St. The council voted unanimously to lift the restrictions.

Robert Hill, a resident of Phoenix Towers, 202 W. Locust St., said there were times when the noise problems related to Six Strings were solved, but there are still times when he can hear the live music and noise coming from the bar.

Six Strings co-owner Daniel Rolph said the business, which features live music, has taken a number of steps to limit the noise coming from the bar, including lowering the bass and installing curtains. He questioned whether some of the noise Hill is hearing is coming from other bars in downtown.

Comments about the bar noise turned into a general discussion by council members about the possibility of the Bloomington Liquor Commission meeting with the Downtown Bar Owners Association.

"Whatever we do, we need to tackle the noise in downtown or the complaints will continue whether it is about Six Strings or someone else," said Ward 6 Alderman Karen Schmidt, whose ward includes a portion of downtown. "Maybe we need to challenge the downtown bar owners to help us control the noise and come up with some solutions."

Mayor Steve Stockton, who also serves as chairman of the liquor commission, said commissioners have frequently met with bar owners.

"After we talk with them, generally, they do try to comply," Stockton said. "There is always going to be a variation of what are acceptable levels of noise to different people. Plus, it's not only the bars but kids yelling (on the streets) and cars or motorcycles driving by."

Although the discussion centered on downtown bars, several eastside aldermen, including Jim Fruin, Ward 9, and John Hanson, Ward 8, said there are bars elsewhere in the city where noise disrupts the neighbors.

In a related discussion, Hanson encouraged Michael Owens, the co-owner of Legend's Sports Bar and Grill, to work with the liquor commission and the city's planning and zoning department on the location of a beer garden.

Legend's, 712 Eldorado Road, received the council's approval for a liquor license. The commission and the City Council encouraged Owens to locate the beer garden in front of the business because of its proximity to apartment buildings.

Owens said he was agreeable to the suggestion.