But, Bendigo's Kenneth Graham will not have to serve the 14-day jail sentence after a magistrate wholly suspended the term for 12 months.

Graham, 28, had been drinking heavily for several hours before entering the Golden Vine Hotel on March 29.

When bar staff refused to serve him due to his intoxicated state, Graham went to the beer garden where he met a friend.

The hotel manager escorted Graham and his friend out of the venue shortly before midnight after several patrons complained about his behaviour.

Once outside, an argument began between the friend and a group of males. 

When the verbal stoush ended, Graham punched his mate in the face, causing him to lose consciousness and fall to the ground. 

Witnesses said the man tried to wake his friend up before fleeing the scene.

Police found Graham drunk and incoherent in an alcove near the hotel in the early hours of the morning.

Graham pleaded guilty at Bendigo Magistrates Court on Tuesday to recklessly causing injury and being drunk in a public place.

The court was told Graham had consumed his first drink at 10am on the day of the assault and began drinking heavily at about 5pm. 

It heard the victim was treated for concussion, but had no lasting injuries.

Defence lawyer Juliana Smith told the court her client had been at the hotel to see a band play and could not believe he had struck a man he considered a friend.

She said Graham accepted his behaviour deserved the court's denunciation and asked the magistrate to consider a fine, arguing the actions were out of character.

But Magistrate Patrick Southey said Graham had been in trouble for alcohol-related violence before and told the court a message must be sent to the community.

"It is David Hookes territory, this man was knocked unconscious. It's very serious, there's too much of it, " Mr Southey said.

"This wasn't just one moment of madness. By the summary, he was behaving bad all evening.

"He didn't heed the warning he was given last time."

Mr Southey jailed Graham for 14 days, but wholly suspended the sentence. He also fined the man $1000 as an immediate punishment.