A chaotic incident at Bar 20 in Melbourne has captured global attention after a man was knocked out by a flying chair during a bar ejection. This entertaining yet alarming event unfolded on August 18, 2023, and has since garnered more than 27 million views on social media platforms.
The situation escalated when a patron, upset over a beer order, directed a foul-mouthed demand toward a barmaid. According to Michael Trimble, co-owner of Bar 20, the trouble began around 9:20 p.m. when two men entered the establishment and immediately exhibited aggressive behavior. Trimble recounted that one of the men shouted, “Just open the f-f–king beer,” prompting staff to reconsider serving him.
While the bar manager attempted to serve the beer, the inappropriate comment led to a swift decision to eject the unruly patrons. What should have been a quick removal turned into an eight-minute ordeal, with the pair refusing to leave the premises. Trimble expressed disbelief at the length of the incident, noting that most ejections typically last no longer than thirty seconds.
Once outside, the situation escalated further. One of the men briefly brandished a bollard before reconsidering his actions. Interestingly, the man who would later be struck by the chair initially returned to apologize for his friend’s behavior, according to Trimble. As he expressed remorse, his companion was busy pilfering a chair from a nearby Korean restaurant.
The dramatic twist occurred when the man, still in the process of apologizing, was struck in the head by the chair thrown by his friend. The unexpected turn left security guards and onlookers in disbelief as the incident unfolded on camera. The CCTV footage, which has since gone viral, highlights the chaotic nature of the evening.
Trimble remarked on the incident, stating, “I’ve seen plenty of instances of people making clowns of themselves in my 12 years in this industry. But nothing with the potential to go viral like that.”
In the aftermath, the infamous chair has taken on a life of its own. Trimble received the chair as a quirky piece of memorabilia and has put it on display at Bar 20, adorning it with a shirt from the establishment. “It is a piece of memorabilia now,” Trimble said, adding that it has become a talking point for patrons.
While the identities of the two men involved remain unknown, their viral moment serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of nightlife and the potential for even routine interactions to spiral into chaos. The incident has sparked discussions about behavior in establishments and the responsibilities of patrons to maintain decorum.
