Man pleads not guilty to hitting bartender

A Riverside man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to smashing a bottle over a Newport Beach bartender’s head in August during a melee inside Mutt Lynch’s restaurant.

Bobby Angel Alvarez, 24, pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of felony battery and another felony of possessing a deadly weapon.

Shortly after midnight Aug. 17, Alvarez and a second man, Richard Fuentez, 24, were part of a large group drinking at Mutt Lynch’s. Police said someone in the group broke a glass at the bar, and when the bartender asked them to stop, Alvarez and Fuentez snapped. Fuentez pleaded not guilty to similar charges at an earlier court appearance.

Prosecutors say Alvarez smashed a beer bottle on the bartender’s head, and Fuentez punched him in the face before grabbing a pool stick, broke it in half, and began swinging it at people. Both men were soon arrested by police. Alvarez is accused of using brass knuckles to hit the bartender as well.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for both men Nov. 18.

— Joseph Serna