Owner and publican Alan Smaill said he would employ additional security to work the evening of next year's Millers Flat Rodeo, which annually generated the pub's biggest crowds.
Mr Smaill's two usual security staff would work unaided other nights.
"Friday night was the first time the tavern had been closed.
"I've been here for five rodeos and the club does a great job organising it . . . we've never had this sort of thing happen before," he said.
Four police officers from Roxburgh and Alexandra were called to the tavern twice during the evening, first just after 6pm, and again about 9.20pm.
Constable Jape Wanoa, of Roxburgh, said there was a mix of people at the tavern, some of whom had been at the rodeo.
When police first attended, they were unaware of an alleged assault which took place in the tavern car park earlier.
Const Wanoa said they were later given information about an incident involving three members of a family, who were all assaulted by occupants of a modified car parked in the car park.
"A young guy went outside to farewell friends and was urinated on by an occupant of the vehicle, which he took offence to. He was pounced on by all occupants of the car and as a result received a black eye as well as bruising to his right ear, cheek, and forehead.
"His sister went to support him and was also assaulted by the vehicle occupants, receiving a black eye and bruising.
"The father then went to get both his children away from the situation and was punched in the ear, which smashed his $3500 hearing aid," Const Wanoa said.
An ambulance was later called for other injured people, although ambulance staff were too afraid to enter the car park area for fear of being assaulted, he said.
As police helped ambulance staff restore order, they saw bottles being thrown at moving vehicles on State Highway 8.
At about 9.30pm, a decision was made to close the bar, which at that stage was full of patrons, as was the tavern's garden bar and car park.
Const Wanoa said police left the scene about 11.30pm when everyone had left.
A 17-year-old woman from Invercargill was arrested and charged with assault with intent to injure, after a man was hit with a broken bottle from behind.
She was bailed and is due to appear in the Alexandra District Court before a registrar on December 31.
A male from outside Central Otago who allegedly walked over a parked vehicle in the tavern car park is likely to be arrested and charged with disorderly behaviour and wilful damage.
