Hartlepool man Anthony John Handisides called a taxi to the Headland Gate pub, in Hartlepool, but made off without paying the £4.20 charge after he was dropped off in Rossmere Way.
Town magistrates heard how Handisides was subject to a suspended sentence which was imposed in December after he was convicted of actual bodily harm.
Handisides, mitigating for himself, said: "I have never done anything like that before.
"It was just because I was drunk.
"I had the money in my pocket and I offered it to the man when I got put in the police van."
Handisides, 20, from Kinbrace Road, in Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to making off without payment on February 16.
Chair of the bench Keith Gorton sentenced Handisides to 40 hours' unpaid work and ordered him to pay £4.20 compensation.