barfight
Tavern fistfight erupts
A barfight is a physical altercation in a bar or similar drinking establishment.
Barfights are a staple of action movies and country songs, often triggered by insults, spilled drinks, or disputes over romantic partners.
The word evokes a particular kind of messy, improvised violence: The whole thing started as a barfight and spilled into the street.
Disordered group skirmish
- scuffleBrief disorderly struggle
- fisticuffsHand-to-hand combat
- tussleBrief physical struggle
- punch-upPhysical altercation or revision
donnybrook · free-for-all · throwdown · rumble · dustup · fracas · affray · skirmish
Public drinking establishment
- pubLicensed drinking establishment
- saloonDrinking establishment, often frontier
- alehouseDrinking establishment
- taproomBar serving draft beer
watering hole · speakeasy · cantina · roadhouse · honky-tonk · beer joint · nightclub · poolhall
State of utter confusion
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- uproarNoisy public disturbance
- commotionNoisy, confused disturbance
turmoil · havoc · tumult · disorder · frenzy · madness · broken glass · screaming
Seize by law
- chargesAmounts owed or alleged
- assaultViolent offensive act
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- injuriesBodily damage or harm
stitches · concussion · handcuffs · police · ambulance · damages · banned · ejected
Act that triggers response
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- shovingPushing with force
trash talk · staredown · challenge · escalation · tension · animosity · belligerence · liquid courage
melee
Disordered group skirmish
- scuffleBrief disorderly struggle
- fisticuffsHand-to-hand combat
- tussleBrief physical struggle
punch-up · donnybrook · free-for-all · throwdown · rumble · dustup · fracas · affray · skirmish · roughhouse
tavern
Public drinking establishment
- pubLicensed drinking establishment
- saloonDrinking establishment, often frontier
- alehouseDrinking establishment
taproom · watering hole · speakeasy · cantina · roadhouse · honky-tonk · beer joint · nightclub · poolhall · jukebox
pandemonium
State of utter confusion
commotion · turmoil · havoc · tumult · disorder · frenzy · madness · broken glass · screaming · scrambling
arrest
Seize by law
injuries · stitches · concussion · handcuffs · police · ambulance · damages · banned · ejected · lawsuit
provocation
Act that triggers response
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
shoving · trash talk · staredown · challenge · escalation · tension · animosity · belligerence · liquid courage · machismo
barfightboxing match
Scheduled combat between pugilists
prize fight · title fight · wrestling match · fencing match · Olympic boxing
barfightpeace negotiation
Dialogue to end conflict
mediation · diplomatic resolution · reconciliation · truce · ceasefire
bar, fight, bars, barred, barring, fights, fought, fighting, fighter