"Your short film events sound fantastic! As you say, short films are hard to beat; if well curated, there ought to be something for everyone (which, when combined with a DJ set, should make for a really memorable evening). The bar owner's caution is understandable, but I would be quite amazed if there were any repercussions from showing short films (especially anything remotely obscure), though keeping the selections secret prior to the screenings is a great idea anyway.
Fortunately, I now have an improved copy of Lethem's La fée sanguinaire along with the negative version of Raysse's Le Grand Depart.
Regarding other short films (and keeping in mind what might play well in this context), I'd suggest some of the following personal favourites for consideration:
Adoration - Olivier Smolders (minimal dialogue in French, with English subtitles)
The Eye Like A Strange Balloon
Heart Of The World
Sissy Boy Slap Party - Guy Maddin (Guy makes great shorts and these three are his best - no dialogue)
O Is For Orgasm - Hélène Cattet & Bruno Forzani (from the makers of Amer - no dialogue)
Blok - Hieronim Neumann (no dialogue)
Grim - Takashi Ito (no dialogue - Ito's a genius of stop-motion filmmaking)
Fuego en Castilla - Jose Val del Omar (no dialogue)
Los Huesos - Joaquín Cociña & Cristóbal León (wonderful macabre animation in the style of Witkin)
Colloque de chiens - Raoul Ruiz (lots of dialogue in this one, but it's great - English audio)"