The 45-year-old man appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to one count of recklessly causing serious injury.

The court heard on March 8 last year, the man and the victim were both drinking at a crowded Bendigo pub.

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The men did not know each other and neither was heavily intoxicated.

The court heard just before midnight, the man made his way through the venue when he bumped into the victim.

The two men exchanged words but the victim pulled away.

The court heard the 45-year-old then punched the victim to the right side of his face, causing the man to fall to the floor. The victim momentarily lost consciousness.

The man was restrained and taken out of the pub, while the victim went to a hospital.

The court heard the victim required surgery for a fractured cheekbone. He also had cuts and bruising to his face.

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Defence lawyer Robert Southgate told the court the man was a single father who was "deeply remorseful" for the incident.

Magistrate Rodney Higgins said the man was old enough to realise the seriousness of his offending.

"I'm not going to give you a lecture," Mr Higgins said. "You know how lucky you are."

Mr Higgins sentenced the man to a two-year good behaviour bond without conviction.

The man was also ordered to make a $1500 donation to the Annie North women's refugee and write a letter of apology to the victim.

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