Thoughts on soundproofing curtains vs. window inserts for bar noise?

I had a similar situation when a gastropub moved in below my loft. The bass is the hardest part becasue it vibrates the structure itself. I tried the heavy blankets first—specifically the Audimute ones—but they didn't do much for the low-end thump. They mostly just muffled the high-pitched shouting. What actually saved my sleep was getting those Indow window inserts. They create an airtight seal that standard curtains just can't match, and the specialized acrylic is much better at dampening sound than a single pane of glass.

Since you mentioned the bass is cutting through the walls, you might want to look into hanging a layer of Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) behind a decorative tapestry. I used the 1 lb per square foot stuff from SoundproofingMLV and just used heavy-duty Velcro to attach it. It’s heavy as lead and a bit of a pain to hang alone, but adding that actual mass is the only way I found to stop the physical vibrations from the street level. It’s not a full renovation, and you can take it all down when your lease is up.

I actually think you're going to be disappointed with window inserts if bass is the main culprit. Low-frequency noise travels thru the building's studs and floorboards, not just the glass. I spent a fortune on custom acrylic shields for my old place near a music venue, and while they helped with the traffic hiss, I coud still feel the thump of the subwoofer in my chest. Instead of focusing purely on the glass, you need to add mass to the wall itself. I bought rolls of 1lb Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) and used heavy-duty Command strips to hang it over the wall facing the street. It’s heavy and looks a bit industrial, but it adds the density required to stop those low-frequency waves that curtains or thin plastic just can't touch. Another trick is decoupling your furniture. I put Sorbothane isolation pads under my bed frame legs to stop the floor vibrations from reaching the mattress. It’s alot cheaper than the Indow route and specifically targets the physical vibration that keeps you awake. It might not look like a magazine spread, but for bass, density and isolation are the only things that actually work.

I just moved into this neighborhood and I am so pumped to finally find some real advice on this! I was literally looking at those heavy curtains yesterday but now I'm rethinking everythign. Does anyone know if adding a second layer of drywall with that green glue stuff works for renters, or is that too much? Also, totally random, but since you live right there—is that bar actualy good for watching the games? I’ve been looking for a spot with a solid atmosphere, but maybe I’ll just stick to the quiet places if the crowd is that wild!

Spot on about the MLV for the wall vibrations. I used it last year and it’s a total game changer for low-end noise. One tiny thing that people often forget though is the electrical outlets. If you’re hanging MLV, make sure to get some of those foam putty pads or fire-rated gaskets to put behind the outlet covers. Bass can leak trough those little holes in the wall like crazy, and it’ll bypass your expensive vinyl if you don't seal them up too.

Have you ruled out the HVAC ducts or shared vents yet? I’ve seen people spend a fortune on MLV and inserts only to realize the sound was flanking through the ventilation system. If that bar is on the same block, low-end frequencies can practically travel through the pipes or air shafts. Does the vibration feel stronger when you put your ear to the floor versus the wall? It might not be an air-seal issue at all, but rather structural transmission through the building's frame that curtains won't touch.