Jonathan Rogers, 31, of Hamilton, appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court charged with threats to inflict serious injury to police officers, unlawful assault, carrying a controlled weapon, violent behaviour while in a licensed premises, assaulting emergency workers on duty and resisting emergency workers on duty.

The court heard the man attended Hamilton's Grand Central Hotel to celebrate his birthday on Saturday.

He became confrontational about 7.30pm, claiming a patron had cut in line.

Mr Rogers allegedly threatened the patron and a member of staff who stepped in to help, stating he would slit their throats and crush their jaws.

Police attended the scene and tried to engage with the accused, who grabbed a steak knife and left the building.

He allegedly threatened to stab several police officers, slit their throats and break their bones.

Mr Rogers refused to drop the knife, leading police to draw their guns and challenge the man with tasers and OC spray.

The spray was eventually deployed and the man was arrested.

Lawyer Kerry Schroeder said her client had "quite serious mental trauma" after the recent death of his partner, who he could not visit due to coronavirus restrictions.

She said the man was intoxicated after attending the hotel to celebrate his birthday.

But magistrate Simon Guthrie said the allegations were "incredibly serious" and involved the hotel staff member and police who were just doing their job.

"(Officers) have had to draw weapons - guns, capsicum spray and tasers," he said.

"In the current environment, police are very reluctant to draw their guns unless the circumstances are so serious. Boy oh boy."

A police prosecutor told the court that the drawing of guns was a "very, very rare situation that police find themselves in".

"We don't yet know how affected these members are but it's generally discussed among police members how those situations impact them," he said.

Mr Rogers was remanded in custody and will be assessed for a community corrections order.

He will be sentenced on Friday.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.