The growth of a trendy nightlife in Chinatown is irking some residents, who say they can't sleep amid all the loud music piping out of clubs.

"When they get going, they're rattling the windows," said Stephen Lohse, who lives in Chinatown Gateway Plaza. "It literally vibrates your skull."

Community leaders say the clash between residents and several popular nightclubs and other establishments that play loud music highlights the difficult nature of revitalization in Chinatown — a compact, urban community home to more than 3,000 people.

Over the past several years, Chinatown has gained in popularity as a weekend hotspot. And in addition to art galleries and eateries, clubs have moved in to cater to a young crowd looking for a unique atmosphere.

Several nights a week, the clubs play loud music until 2 a.m. And in recent months, residents say, the music — live and recorded — appears to have gotten louder, affecting residents in high-rises and walk-ups alike.

The clubs at the center of the discussion — including Indigo, Next Door, thirtyninehotel and Bar 35 — have responded to some community concerns by turning down their music, closing windows and doors to stop music from blaring out and sitting down with the Honolulu Liquor Commission.

"Residents have a right to live in peace," said Gelareh Khoie, co-owner of thirtyninehotel. "But when you live in an urban neighborhood, it's going to be noisier. It is loud on weekends, but only up to 2 a.m."

The Liquor Commission is investigating several complaints from residents about nightclubs in the area, which are subject to noise laws.

But commission administrator Dewey Kim said investigators have found mixed results after taking sound meter readings in Chinatown.

There are instances when the music is over the legal limit, and instances when it is not. In March 2007, for example, the commission surveyed music at 14 locations in Chinatown and Downtown — some of which had received complaints. Two of the locations surveyed exceeded the legal limit and received warnings, Kim said. In addition, the commission has cited several establishments in Chinatown recently. Details on the violations were not available.

Kim said the issue is further complicated because the law has guidelines on upper decibel readings, but does not regulate low-frequency bass noise, which can often be more irksome. Another part of the problem is that residents in Chinatown are living so close to nightclubs and other establishments that any noise seems louder than what is allowed.

And in the dense community, Kim added, sound reverberates off high-rises and can be louder on upper floors than on the ground.

"Sound is traveling, and is funneled between a number of large buildings," he said. In some cases, "sound gets louder the higher you go."

The city alone owns five high-rises in Chinatown with affordable rentals, and many of those units don't have air conditioning. In addition to other high-rises, there are countless walk-ups.

"The way to get this on the right path is there has got to be some balance," said Anthony Marlin, who lives at Chinatown Manor and is a member of the Downtown Neighborhood Board. "The residents can't have it all their way, and the bars can't have it all their way."

Gifford Chang, of the Chinatown Merchants Association, said he has not received any complaints from residents about the nightclubs. And he added there is interest in bringing more "high-class nightclubs" — like those receiving complaints — into Chinatown.

Indigo has been in Chinatown for more than a decade, but the other clubs are recent additions.

Chang said that the edgy clubs in the area are an important part of Chinatown's new reputation as a hub for nightlife. And, he added, the crowds they attract keep out criminal elements.

"No one wants to have loud music in their backyard," he said. "On the other hand, there are certain zoning provisions that allow for that in Chinatown. That's what makes Chinatown unique."

Khoie, of thirtyninehotel, agreed, saying the clubs fit in well with restaurants in the area and the budding arts district.

"Chinatown is more cleaned-up now," she said. "It's safer."

Bar 35 manager Gregory Marshall said establishments in Chinatown want to be good neighbors, but can only do so much to respond to concerns.

He added he hasn't heard of any specific complaints.

But state Rep. Karl Rhoads said he has gotten complaints from residents about noise, and has talked to several business owners in hopes of resolving the problem. He said the buildings where the clubs are located have very little insulation, complicating the problem.

"I'm thrilled to have all those bars and restaurants in Chinatown. They're helping to revitalize the area," Rhoads said. "But the balance is off. People have to sleep at night."

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.