Can I sue a bar owner for assaulting me in his bar?

My name is Rich Akers. My mobile phone # is 973-289-7491. This is a complaint about me being assaulted in a bar, not bout me being defended against a criminal charge, I couldn't find a category here, that your website will accept. What follows here is my write-up from my review on Yelp. I know it's a bit long, but I hope you'll read it to the end.

Mickey's Bar and Grill

Sports Bars, Karaoke, Venues & Event Spaces

Lyndhurst, NJ

Feb 16, 2025

     Had a bad experience with one of the owners, who assaulted me. His name is Ron Gaz. On Sat, Jan 4, of this year, I was up front, by the karaoke DJ. The fire alarm went off. There was no fire in the bar, so IDK why it went off. The alarm pull box is right next to where I was standing. Before I knew it, the one owner, who's there most of the time on Saturdays, runs up and suddenly forcefully shoves me aside. He told me subsequently that he knew it wasn't me that caused it.
     I was shoved so hard that it was just blind luck that I wasn't knocked to the floor, pushed into someone, or pushed into the karaoke machine. So, I'm standing there, where I was pushed to, not sure of what just occurred or why. I then decided to change the pocket that I had my cell phone in; I set my glasses and gloves on the table right next to me. This same owner runs up, and throws them at me. Again, just blind luck that I didn't drop my belongings, including my phone, onto the floor.
     Several weeks passed, as I was waiting for a moment to talk to this owner about putting his hands on me like he did. Hopefully, to do so in a way that wouldn't draw attention from other patrons in the bar, and cause a scene. I wanted to tell him that he should give a person a chance to do the right thing before geting physical. Just tell me to move away from the alarm box; then give me a chance to comply--just 5 seconds. At that point, the fire dept hadn't arrived yet. Same thing when he threw my belongings at me--tell me first, then allow me a chance to move them myself--again, 5 seconds. At that point the fire dept had arrived, but was not yet inside.
     But he wouldn't even let me finish when I tried to tell him this--he defended what he did. Said that's how he reacts at such a time; and he would do it to anyone, even to an employee. He started to get loud, and what I perceived to be hostile. I said that IDK if something I did by the alarm box may have set it off--but he said he knew that it wasn't me. I wasn't even looking for an apology, but he said he was sorry that it was me. A phony apology--how lame is that? I was hoping to just reach a mutual understanding that his action was an isolated lapse in judgement, to hopefully never happen again. But he wouldn't hear it.
     I won't go back to this bar again. I hate to have to say this, since I have many friends who go there. I don't want this owner to have an opportunity to put his hands on me again, not even to shake hands. Since this owner feels free to get so physical, I feel very uneasy just to be there. And I definitely don't want to get into a bar fight, as it's too easy to be made to appear to be the villain.
Good job Mr. Big Shot Bar Owner--and you know who you are--good going! You tried to make yourself look bigger, by diminishing me. This is what happens when you let yourself be controlled by your emotions, instead of using your head--someone bears consequences. Unfortunately, I'm the one who had to bear those consequences. I want to respect you, and your perogative as an owner; but respect has to go both ways, or else it's just bullying. Shame on you! 

     I was a regular customer at this bar for years, there every Saturday night for the karaoke. I'm good friends with the couple that runs the karaoke. I always see friends of mine there, and I've made a lot more friends there. I buy drinks, not just for myself, but friends as well. This bar owner's behavior damages all of that. Friends of mine threw me a surprise BD party a few months ago, and wanted to rent a party room there; but when they learned of this incident, they went to extra trouble and expense to book it elsewhere.

     I have not filed a complaint with the Lyndhurst police yet. I've waited this long for that, and for looking for a lawyer, in order to give this guy a chance to grow a conscience and do the right thing. I would really appreciate someone getting back to me, and advising me. Thank you. Rich Akers. 973-289-7491.