Of course, he's jockeying for position at the crowded bar. That alone raises a person's bp and puts that person on the offensive. Nobody likes doing that. I won't do it because I hate the feeling. Christ, even a half empty bar is a no-no for me. "They won't see me. They'll see me and ignore me. Do I pay now, or, later? Will they really pour Black Velvet, or, some other and call it that? If they do that will I call them on it, or, pretend like it's Black Velvet and then take it out on Girl later at the house? Can I order food from the bar, or, will they get mad?" You know, Inf, on & on.
That aside---him grabbing onto the bar to gain a hold isn't grounds for her to raise her fist at him. Be gracious when it's needed the most and when it's most difficult. That is the true calling of a gentlemen, or, lady. She crapped out first. You can't raise your fish to someone and expect that someone just to gamble you won't throw it. Their physical health is at imminent harm at that point.
& sure, if a female friend, wife, or sister were in that situation I'd respond in kind, but, only after I tried to diffuse the situation in a calm manner empathizing with both parties. He wasn't wrong. He just walked into a situation that fell apart swiftly. He was ed either way it turned out. Just ed. Now his life is topsy turvy. His only solace is he had no other choice at the point where he swung on her. None. I feel bad for him, right now. I sympathize for him. She's a for doing that, for causing all this misery, tumult and loss. Selfish human being.