Police are investigating the armed robbery of a tavern at West Ryde overnight.

About 11:30pm, Saturday 23 November 2013, four males, wearing balaclavas and armed with firearms and a knife, attended the tavern on West Parade.

They threatened staff and patrons and were handed cash before running out of the premises towards Anthony Lane.

Police were contacted and attended the tavern where they established a crime scene while a search of the area was also conducted with the assistance of the Dog Unit, however, the armed men were not located.

Detectives from Ryde Local Area Command are continuing investigations into the robbery and are looking for four males who have only been described as wearing dark hooded jumpers, balaclavas and dark pants.