An entertainment reporter says Britney Spears screamed, barked, and handled a knife during a chaotic dinner at Blue Dog Tavern in Sherman Oaks. Her team denies the claims, saying she was simply cutting a hamburger and telling a story about her dog.
An entertainment reporter dining at Blue Dog Tavern in Sherman Oaks says he watched Britney Spears scream, bark, and handle a knife during a chaotic dinner that left nearby patrons unsettled.
The incident unfolded on the evening of Wednesday, May 14, according to multiple outlets. Jeff Sneider, an entertainment journalist who was seated at a nearby table, documented parts of the encounter on social media and later shared his account with reporters.
"I am having dinner next to Britney Spears right now and it's a WILD experience," Sneider posted on X on May 14, 2026.
Sneider said he initially did not recognize the woman wearing sunglasses at the adjacent table. He described a series of abrupt vocal outbursts and physical movements that drew attention from other diners and staff.
According to Sneider's account published by Caroline Progress and IBTimes, Spears:
One nearby diner told reporters they felt fear after seeing Spears walk past their table with the knife, according to Caroline Progress. Sneider said he did not feel physically threatened but said the experience made it difficult to enjoy his meal.
Representatives for Spears issued a strong denial of the most alarming claims. A spokesperson told People magazine and the Daily Star that the evening had been entirely routine.
"Britney was enjoying a quiet dinner with her assistant and bodyguard. She was simply telling the story about how her dog was barking at the neighbours," the spokesperson said.
The representative directly addressed the knife allegation.
"At no point did she put anyone in danger with a knife. She was cutting her hamburger in half," the statement said.
The spokesperson also accused the media of repeating a harmful pattern from Spears' past.
"This constant attack on everything that she does and this is exactly what happened 20 years ago when the media tried to depict Britney as a bad person. This is ridiculous and it needs to stop now," the spokesperson told the Daily Star.
Multiple diners told local outlets they heard raised voices and chaotic moments inside the restaurant. Several described Spears making animal-like noises during the dinner, according to Caroline Progress.
One onlooker told reporters the commotion involved shouting and imitative barking, which contributed to a sense of unease in the dining room. Staff members were said to have intervened at points, and Spears' companions tried to calm her, according to the eyewitness account.
Blue Dog Tavern did not respond to requests for comment by press time. It remains unclear whether management asked the group to leave or took additional steps beyond addressing the cigarette.
No police reports or charges have been publicly confirmed in connection with the dinner.
The restaurant incident comes roughly a month after Spears entered a rehabilitation facility following a DUI arrest in Ventura in early March.
Sources close to Spears previously described the rehab stay as an opportunity to regroup. According to IBTimes, insiders said she left treatment hopeful about a fresh start.
But reports suggest her time in rehab was shorter than some had hoped. A source quoted by Naughty But Nice substack writer Rob Shuter on May 15 said Spears checked out after roughly two weeks.
"The rehab bought everyone a little time, but it didn't solve the deeper issues," the source said. "She refuses to accept she needs more help, and that's what terrifies people most."
Another person described as close to Spears told Star magazine that her inner circle is "exhausted, scared, and running out of answers."
On May 4, Spears pleaded guilty to wet reckless driving, a reduced charge stemming from the March DUI arrest. According to Page Six, she was sentenced to one year of informal probation and ordered to complete 30 hours of alcohol education classes, along with fines and fees.
The sharply conflicting accounts raise questions about how to interpret the evening. Spears' camp insists the behavior was harmless storytelling mischaracterized by sensational reporting. Witnesses describe a scene that alarmed diners and required staff intervention.
Almost everything about Spears' current medical and mental health status remains unconfirmed by independent sources. The story rests on anonymous briefings, eyewitness testimony, and a forcefully worded denial from her team.
What is clear is that the incident has reignited long-standing public concern about Spears' wellbeing. It also arrived at a moment when her inner circle reportedly fears she is resisting further treatment.
"If this is how she behaves in public, imagine what happens behind closed doors," one source close to Spears told Star magazine, according to IBTimes.
Spears posted a silent video of herself dancing by a pool on Instagram days after the restaurant incident. She captioned it: "Brighter days."
This story is developing. The San Fernando Valley Post will update as more information becomes available.
This article was generated with AI assistance.