Police are investigating an attempted armed robbery and a similar armed robbery at two licensed venues in North Rockhampton overnight.

Around 11.45pm, two men entered a Main Street hotel armed with a rifle and attempted to gain entry to a locked counter before being disturbed by a patron.

One of the men then fired a shot into the floor of the premises, before both offenders fled empty handed.

At 12.20am, two men entered a Dean Street licensed venue and threatened an employee with a rifle before fleeing with a sum of cash.

No one was physically injured during either incident.

Both men are described as approximately 175cms tall with slim builds and were wearing black pants, black facial coverings and long sleeve shirts during the incidents.