Pub patrons and staff were forced to flee a pub north of Brisbane when a couple armed with a boat flare, a fishing hook and a gun tried to stage a hold-up.
The pair chased frightened pub-goers and employees into the car park of the Burpengary tavern after discovering the tills were empty.
The man threw the boat flare at a fleeing male customer, who sustained cuts and bruises when he dived to avoid it, police say.
He then went back inside and threatened a male staffer with a gun.
Police say the couple had been in the Rowley Road venue for some time when at 11.45pm (AEST) the man suddenly ignited the flare and the woman produced a fishing hook.
They threatened staff and demanded cash from the tills, which were empty.
They fled empty-handed in a white Holden Commodore station wagon with NSW number plates.