Bar In Viral Altercation Video To Permanently Close

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — In the wake of a suspension issued by the New York State Liquor Authority, Milo’s Cantina in Poughkeepsie announced it will close permanently. A plea deal had been accepted by the Liquor Authority that included a $7,000 fine and a 60-day suspension of the establishment’s liquor license.

However, owner Jeremy Phillips told the Poughkeepsie Journal that Milo’s is permanently out of business and all employees lost their jobs.

The Liquor Authority ordered an emergency suspension of Milo’s license to sell alcohol on the premises June 13.

On May 31, a patron was allegedly assaulted by a security guard at the bar, and the incident was captured by another patron on video.

SLA Enforcement investigated after receiving numerous complaints, including the video which went viral on social media sites.

The video apparently shows the bouncer preventing the patron from leaving the bar, then slamming him to the ground in a chokehold.

SEE ALSO: Bar In Altercation Video Gets Liquor Licenses Suspended

The bouncer then continues to hold the man on the ground in a chokehold for more than two minutes, during which the patron does not appear to be acting aggressively or resisting.

During the video, no other bar employees tried to intervene. The video shows the manager and another staff member who was behind the bar picking up bar stools that had been knocked over.

On the video, the manager told the person recording the video to leave the establishment and then can be seen locking the door. The victim can still be seen being held down by the bouncer.

When the victim is finally allowed to stand, he tried to leave again but was blocked by the bouncer as the video ends.

SLA investigators visited the bar June 6 to meet with the owner, who said he was not present during the incident. He told the investigators that his staff said the assaulted patron was acting obnoxiously and used foul language. The owner also said the patron dumped shots on the bar and threatened the bouncer with a knife.

The state confirmed the bouncer was not a licensed security guard, and that the application filed with the SLA stated the owner would not employ security personnel.

Photo credit: Google Maps.