SANDPOINT — A Sandpoint man was arrested for allegedly threatening a bartender with a knife after he and a companion were escorted from the establishment.

Nathanial Bryan Grabenstein is charged with aggravated assault. He made an initial appearance in Bonner County Magistrate Court on Friday via video feed from the Bonner County Jail.

Judge Lori Meulenberg appointed a public defender to represent Grabenstein and entered an order barring him from contacting the alleged victim in the case. Grabenstein’s bond was set at $2,000.

A bartender at the A&P Bar & Grill told Sandpoint Police Grabenstein, 21, produced the knife after he was led from the bar and threatened the man, a probable cause affidavit alleges. Grabenstein allegedly stepped toward the bartender during the confrontation.

Officers encountered Grabenstein downtown and confronted him with the allegation. Grabenstein, who was found to be in possession of two knives, said he had a run-in with two men and a woman at another downtown bar and later crossed paths again at the A&P.

Grabenstein said he was armed with a knife for self-protection, but denied threatening the bartender, according to information in the affidavit.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.