At a Glance
- Miguel Marchese, 25, says he was fired by Hazie’s via email after a Dec. 13 altercation went viral
- Intoxicated customers refused service attacked staff; outside, the woman grabbed Marchese by the hair
- Restaurant offered $5,000 severance if he stayed silent; he declined
- Why it matters: Termination came despite public support and no other staff dismissals, raising questions about worker protection
A San Francisco bartender who helped fend off two intoxicated customers outside celebrity-chef Joey Altman‘s Hayes Valley restaurant Hazie’s says he was fired three weeks after the incident, even though video shows him being assaulted.
The Night of Dec. 13
According to Marchese, the couple was refused service for being too drunk. The woman then stormed into restricted areas, prompting staff to escort them outside.
Video shows:
- Inside the restaurant, she records employees while yelling harassment claims
- She appears to strike a coworker
- Outside, she grabs Marchese by the hair and won’t release
> “Imagine that not only are you sick with laryngitis, but your hair is being viciously pulled out of your head,” Marchese told News Of Los Angeles.
He says he freed himself by tossing her phone; she trips over his leg while retrieving it, a moment management later cited as an insurance liability.
Aftermath and Termination
- No lawsuit was ever filed by the customer
- Marchese criticized management in a social-media post
- He was offered $5,000 severance contingent on silence and waiving legal claims-he refused
- No other employees involved were fired, including the worker filmed restraining the woman
The woman was arrested and later lost her job after her identity circulated online.
Public Reaction
Despite viral backlash against the attackers, Hazie’s saw an outpouring of support:
- Patrons visited to thank staff
- Marchese received sympathetic messages
Coworkers texted asking when he’d return-only to learn he’d been terminated.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec. 13 | Altercation occurs and videos spread |
| Late Dec. | Marchese posts critique of management |
| Weekend | Fired by email, effective next day |
Key Takeaways
- Fired bartender Miguel Marchese had worked at Hazie’s since 2023
- Management cited insurance risk from the tripping incident
- He declined a $5,000 gag-agreement severance
- The arrested customer was later fired from her own job
Marchese now faces an uncertain future while the restaurant continues operations amid ongoing public debate.
