I seem to recall being in there just after 9:00PM and it sounded like the band was just starting, and yes, the AC does make a difference, was quite pleasant in there. As for the noise level, I agree - it's one thing if you are going to a concert and you are focused completely on the music, but in a bar setting where you want to communicate as well, I do think volume levels need to be managed a lot better and in a big space like this I don't think that would be too difficult.