How to Survive a Bar Fight

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Having a drink at your favorite bar can be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, alcohol sometimes brings out the worst in people. If you find yourself facing a bar fight, there are several things you can do to survive it in one piece.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-1.jpg\/aid62224-v4-728px-Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Even if the person is being a jerk, getting into a fight with them will only cause you trouble. If you win, you will still get kicked out of the bar and could face criminal charges. If you lose, you could wind up in the hospital. Do your best to talk your potential opponent out of a physical confrontation, even if it means admitting you were partly responsible. Bar fights are simply not worth the cost.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-2.jpg\/aid62224-v4-728px-Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Bartenders and bouncers don't want a fight any more than you do. Send a friend to get help if you can, and attempt to inch towards the nearest bouncer. There is also the possibility of making his friends see reason if your opponent won't.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-3.jpg\/aid62224-v4-728px-Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Lean forward towards the attacker and position your hands by your face. You won't look like you are in a fighting stance but you will be ready for the coming attack.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-4.jpg\/aid62224-v4-728px-Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If someone makes a move to hit you, the best thing you can do is beat them to the punch. This does not mean you should go around hitting people every time you feel threatened. However, in a situation where you are truly afraid for your safety, it is best to show that you are serious about protecting yourself. Most individuals who want to push a fight are looking for easy prey. One person who is willing to inflict harm can be effective against a number of 'huff and puff' guys. Do bear in mind that violence of this sort is often illegal and should be avoided whenever possible.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-5.jpg\/aid62224-v4-728px-Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Once you commit to fighting back, keep doing so until you perceive no more threat. When your opponent is asking you to stop and their friends have scattered, only then should you wind down.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-6.jpg\/aid62224-v4-728px-Survive-a-Bar-Fight-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Often only a few blows are ever thrown before bouncers swarm in to remove the offenders from the establishment.
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do you protect yourself in a bar fight?
    Dany Zelig
    Self Defense Trainer
    Dany Zelig is the Founder and Owner of Tactica and the Tactica Krav Maga Institute headquartered in San Francisco, California. He is a 2nd generation Israeli Krav Maga instructor of Imi Lichtenfeld, certified directly by Imi’s most senior disciple and Head of the Rank Committee. He received his Military Krav Maga Instructor certification from the Wingate Institute in Israel in 1987.
    Dany Zelig
    Self Defense Trainer
    Expert Answer
    Try to stop the fight altogether! The best approach is to predict and prevent the fight. Develop awareness of the situation and predict when a bar fight might happen so that you can prevent it. Awareness and prevention are the number one ways to be safe. The earlier you identify the situation, the better the chance you'll make the right decisions.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 8
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Almost anything in a bar can be used as a weapon, look around you, if a drunken opponent comes at you, you have to improvise and be quick; glasses, lamps, chairs are all harder than your fists, and can help keep distance between you and your opponent.
        Thanks
      • Friends are a good thing. Depending on the level of sobriety, they can be more rational than both you and your opponent.
        Thanks
      • Avoid eye contact and mind your own business. This helps to prevent friction with anyone else in the bar.
        Thanks
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • If involved with a fight, you may be more hurt than you realize. The neurochemicals released in a fight make one less able to feel pain. Even if you don't feel any injuries, you might still be hurt badly. Check yourself carefully for any wounds. Seek medical help if you are bleeding excessively.
        Thanks
      • Bar fights are never a good thing. You will be banned from the establishment, or in the UK blanket banned from at least all the establishments in the area, where the fight took place, regardless of who is at fault. Be prepared for the consequences. Even if there is no duty to retreat, retreat. Beats a ban.
        Thanks
      • If you are not involved in a fight, and you have every chance to get away, do so, and report the incident swiftly. Even bouncers can evict the wrong people simply by associations or proximity.
        Thanks
      • Your opponent may appear weaker than you; however, you can still face significant harm if you are intoxicated or unlucky. Also be aware of the level of sobriety of your opponent, and keep in mind they could be trained in self-defense/martial arts.
        Thanks
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Win a Swordfight
      How to
      Walk Away from a Fight
      How to
      Win a Street Fight
      How to
      Defend Yourself from an Attacker
      How to
      Defend Yourself
      How to
      Knock Someone Out
      How to
      Be Good at Fist Fighting
      How to
      Fight
      How to Perform a Sleeper Hold: Expert-Approved Instructions
      How to
      Beat a Taller and Bigger Opponent in a Street Fight
      How to
      Become Good at Knife Fighting
      How to
      Defend Against a Knife Attack
      How to
      Fight Dirty and Win
      How to
      Get Out of a Headlock
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 165,223 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement