Police have sought and been granted a 72-hour closure order for a popular central Sydney nightspot following a vicious assault on a man at the weekend.

 About 1:30am yesterday (Sunday 28 August 2011), a number of men were ejected from the George Street hotel.

 They allegedly returned to the hotel and an altercation occurred with security guards.

 A 29-year-old man was detained by the guards and separated from his friends.

 He was allegedly held down, repeatedly kicked and punched and gagged, before being taken to the basement security area where the assault allegedly continued.

 Police from The Rocks Local Area Command and NSW Ambulance Paramedics were called to the scene about 2am.

 The alleged victim was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital with serious facial injuries, which are not considered life-threatening.

 The forensic examination of the area was hampered after hotel management allegedly ordered the crime scene be cleaned before police arrived.

 Police applied for and were granted a crime scene warrant for the licensed premise.

 Two men, 25 and 30, who were performing security duties at the hotel, were arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with wounding or grievous bodily harm with intent.

 Police have now served a ‘Notice of Urgent Short Term Closure Order’, obtained under Section 82 of the Liquor Act, upon the George Street premises.

 The 72-hour order came into effect just after 12am today (Monday 29 August 2011).

 Police continue to appeal for witnesses to the alleged attacks on the man to come forward.

They’re particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in Ash Street or Palings Lane, near Martin Place, around the time of the incidents.