San Francisco bartender fired weeks after viral attack
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Miguel Marchese, 25, is an aspiring model who had worked at Hazie's since 2023. Photo: Courtesy of Miguel Marchese
The bartender at the center of a viral video in which he was assaulted at a San Francisco restaurant by a customer was fired by his employer this week.
The big picture: Miguel Marchese's termination from Hazie's — first reported by the SF Gazetteer — took effect Sunday after he was notified by email the day before, he confirmed to Axios.
Catch up quick: The Dec. 13 incident at the Hayes Valley restaurant led by celebrity chef Joey Altman drew global attention when a video surfaced online showing a confrontation in which two customers berated and physically confronted staff.
- A woman was seen shouting, filming and lunging toward employees and pulling Marchese by the hair while he attempted to remove her from the restaurant after she and her date were denied service.
- The woman, later identified as Shireen Afkari, was arrested for public intoxication and fired from her job at the tech company Strava.
What they're saying: "At the end of the day, I really didn't do anything wrong," Marchese, 25, told Axios. "I don't deserve to get my hair pulled at work and then get fired from my job."
- See our interview with Marchese on our Instagram.
The latest: Marchese, who had worked at Hazie's for about two years, told Axios on Tuesday that he was let go due to the business' concerns that his actions — including tripping Afkari during the incident in what he says was a self-defense move — posed a legal and insurance risk if she decided to sue the establishment.
- Marchese had been suspended while the restaurant investigated his conduct, according to a severance document he shared with Axios.
- Posting footage of the incident to social media and his public criticism of management's response and the restaurant's chef in its aftermath also factored into the decision, per the severance document.
- Marchese said he ultimately rejected the restaurant's $5,000 severance offer that came with non-disclosure and legal waivers.
The other side: Hazie's did not respond to Axios' multiple requests for comment and management was not present when Axios visited the restaurant Tuesday.
Context: Marchese's account highlights a common refrain workers have about the restaurant industry, where employees say they have limited leverage when problems arise. He says workers often absorb instability — from payroll issues to hostile work environments — challenges he believes should not be tolerated.
- "Employees, know your rights," he said. "Stand up for yourself. Don't be intimidated."
Between the lines: He also filed a complaint against Hazie's last month with the city Labor Commissioner's Office alleging unpaid tips, according to screenshots of emails he shared with Axios.
While Marchese is uncertain about what comes next, one thing is clear — he's done with the restaurant industry.
- "I'm not sure exactly what path I'm taking, but I'm done with hospitality for sure," he said.