Patron smashed in head with glass cup at Liberty Hotel bar

Two men appeared to be friends horsing around early on June 3 until one of them smashed the other in the face with a glass cup, a manager at Alibi at the Liberty Hotel told the Boston Licensing Board.

The victim managed to punch his attacker in the face in return in the 12:20 a.m. incident, the manager and police said. The victim and a friend then walked over to neighboring Mass. General Hospital for care - where he got five stitches.

Police say the glass-cup guy now faces a criminal charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

The Boston Licensing Board decides Thursday whether Alibi staffers could have prevented the attack and, if so, whether any punishment is warrented.