The owner of one of Hawke's Bay's most popular bars is dispelling rumours of an alcohol-fuelled street brawl outside his pub just a day after police argued against renewal of its liquor licence due to late-night fights.
Police were called to the hot spot along West Quay in Ahuriri the night of December 6 to quell an apparent skirmish between a group of patrons.
A witness, who wished to remain anonymous, said he saw a fight break out at the Thirsty Whale before the brawl spilled out onto the street. Several police officers were required to defuse the disturbance, he said.
However, Thirsty Whale owner and Napier City councillor Keith Price said the fight took place outside the neighbouring pub Provedore, and involved only a couple of people.
The two men were refused entry to Thirsty Whale before they started fighting and only later subdued by police pepper spray, while some of his security staff were also sprayed in the incident, he said.