Prominent Ste-Catherine Bar Slapped With 10 Day Closure Following Bouncer Violence | Eater Montreal

"A longtime alternative bar and venue since 1983, Foufounes Électriques (sometimes known as Foufs) has been slapped with a ten-day forced closure starting Saturday, March 31 after being hauled before the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux over 44 allegations of violence and excessive force by its bouncers; customers were reportedly hit in the face or strangled — La Presse details a man who says a bouncer broke his tooth and a woman who says she was kneed after complaining about wait time. The Régie also criticized fights breaking out between customers and recorded 72 incidents of theft between 2013 and 2016. The bar conceded at the hearing that its bouncers had acted with excessive force, agreed to the suspension, and has installed surveillance cameras and begun retraining its bouncers, although former lawyer Hugo R. Martin argued the number of complaints was not unreasonable for a venue open seven days a week and noted that a complaint being filed is not the same as a complaint being verified. Known for cheap beer, good bands, and hosting Power Snatches evenings, concerts, exhibitions and other special events in the bar and theater, it has long been regarded as Montreal's best alternative bar and venue." - Tim Forster