CAFE & RESTAURANT ACOUSTIC INDEX
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What is it?
CRAI is short for "Café and Restaurant Acoustical Index", and is a rating system for eating venues in New Zealand according to their acoustic environment.
Why?
Restaurants and Cafés are engaged in a perpetual competition for good reviews. Most reviews focus on food and service, but seldom mention noise. The CRAI rating system aims to provide the public with the ability to match the type of eating experience they want with the acoustic environment.
If you're heading out on a Friday night with a few mates for a nosh up with a couple of beers, you probably want a fairly boisterous venue. Come Sunday evening, when you're celebrating your wedding anniversary over a candlelit banquet with an expensive bottle of red, your requirements are somewhat different.
How?
Everyone can rate a restaurant they have visited. The submitted data is analysed to give a star rating for each restaurant we've had feedback on. In much the same way as cuisine ratings, a 5 star restaurant is quieter and more subdued than a 1 star venue.
The more feedback, the more reliable the star rating is, so we particularly appreciate receiving ratings on venues that already appear on the list. And, if you find one on the list that no longer exists, or has been refurbished or renamed, please let us know.
We have created a rating sheet to complete and send to the editor of New Zealand Acoustics for processing. We encourage you to get every person at your table to rate the venue.
We've also recently introduced a business card sized rating form so that you always have one with you. If you would like a few of these posted to you, please email us.
Where are the results?
The results are available on-line on this website. You can download the latest update as a PDF file by clicking here.
The results are published quarterly in New Zealand Acoustics, the Society's journal which is sent to all members as part of their membership package.
How can I participate?
Simply download the CRAI Rating Sheet (pdf - 43KB) and take it with you to a restaurant or cafe. Don't forget to give a copy of the form to each one of your entourage. Fill it in at the restaurant and return the form to the details given in the form. Alternatively, email your results directly to the CRAI editor.
Click here to download the form.
To receive the up-dated CRAI data, become a member of the New Zealand Acoustical Society by clicking here.