I'm pretty sure that Roth planned it to be a failed hit on Pantangelli, one that would then get that boss to turn on Michael and testify against him, figuring (wrongly) that Michael had ordered his (Pantangelli's) murder. Later, back in Nevada when Michael learns that Pantangelli is alive, Tom Hagen tells him, saying something like, "Roth planned this one beautifully."
The cop that interrupted the hit seemed so innocent and nerdy, you'd think he was an honest officer friendly that stumbled onto an ongoing mob hit. The bar owner seemed to think so - or was he also acting to fake Pantangelli? The cop was almost certainly a fake cop, or a real cop who was paid off, and either way with the job of interrupting the hit.
Also regarding the bartender/owner. Did he know a hit was going to occur? Did he know the cop was a plant and just pretended to be nervous to convince Pantantgelli?
Additionally, after the near hit fails (by design), there is a shootout in the street. This was not staged. Was that more of Roth's plan to convince Pantangelli and his bodyguards (one of whom, Cicci, was wounded) that the hit was real?
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