Police are investigating the armed robbery of a hotel at Beenleigh in the early hours of this morning.

Preliminary investigations indicate that around 2.20am, a man has entered the James Street business through the rear entrance, armed with a firearm.

He has then approached the bar area and threatened a 37-year-old female staff-member with the weapon, demanding cash.

A 42-year-old male patron has then approached the man and threatened him with a chair, prompting the man to flee from the hotel empty-handed.

The man is described as Caucasian in appearance and aged in his 30s.

He was wearing a black hooded jumper, grey track-pants and had a black bandana covering his face at the time of the incident.