Famous Hollywood Gay Bar Sued For $1 Million Over Alleged Vicious Attack

The Abbey, an iconic gay bar in West Hollywood, is being sued for $1 million over an alleged assault by its security on a patron.

According to legal documents, obtained by The Blast, a man named Sergio Cota claimed he was attacked by the bar's security team as he tried to enter the restaurant/nightclub. The bar is legendary in Los Angeles and is a hotspot for celebrity sightings. On its 30th anniversary, Lady Gaga showed up to celebrate.

On September 10, 2023, Cota claims he arrived at the famous bar around 11 p.m., ready for" typical fun in a bar in West Hollywood."

However, soon after entering the location he claims to have been approached by several security guards for "no legitimate reason" and an altercation was instigated by them in an attempt to remove him from the premises. At the time, Cota said, "Without any notice, the security grabbed his shoulder and spun him around and started to question him about what he was doing at The Abbey." He explained he was there "to enjoy the environment as he frequented The Abbey often."

During the fight, Cota claims that without notice he was backhanded in the face by one of the security guards and "violently grabbed" and "shook" before being slammed into the ground face first with "tremendous force." The security allegedly held him on the floor constricting any movement.

He continued, "The attack was so violent that it caused him to sustain severe injuries to his body, including but not limited to, head concussions and bruises to his body."

Adding, "As a result of this attack, he suffered and continues to suffer pain and severe emotional distress because of (Abbey's) harassment and physical assault of him."

As a result of the incident, Cota claims he is now suffering from "severe anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, emotional distress, mental suffering, nervousness, tension, anxiety, and depression," which has caused him to incur future medical bills.

The lawsuit places the blame on Abbey's ownership and management for allowing the security guards to allegedly assault someone in the bar. Cota is suing the company for at least $1 million.

This isn't the first time the famous bar has had to defend itself in Los Angeles County Courts. In 2021, The Abbey sued a woman for claiming she was drugged by a bartender while inside the establishment. The Abbey claims the allegation was defamation after pulling video from inside the bar of the incident showing nothing happened. The bar claimed the camera footage showed the woman most of her time inside, except for a gap of 11 minutes when she and another woman went to the restroom together.

"At no time can any Abbey personnel, or any other person for that matter, be seen tampering with her drink," the suit states.

The Abbey is suing the woman for $5 million in damages.

At this point, the bar hasn't responded to the assault allegations. The case is ongoing.