Qld man hurls pot plant at machete bandit

A Gold Coast pub-goer has used a pot plant and a bar stool to thwart a robbery by a machete-wielding bandit.

Police say the offender could be sporting injuries after a "courageous" patron attacked him and chased him away from the Mermaid Beach Tavern just before 1am.

The patron was in the gaming room of the venue when the bandit stormed in with a large machete, his face hidden by a balaclava.

He demanded about $1500 from a female worker but the patron was having none of it.

"He has attacked the offender," Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Dane Sheraton told reporters on Friday.

"He's used a poker machine bar stool to protect himself and at one stage he's also thrown a pot plant at the offender."

The patron, 29, then chased the offender out of the pub, crash tackling him outside and forcing the bandit to drop the cash he'd just stolen. He remains on the run.

Det Sheraton said the patron should be commended even though such actions were not encouraged by police.

"I think it was very much a spur of the moment (thing), a reflex action by him, it's very courageous."

The female worker, 37, wasn't hurt, nor was the patron.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage as they hunt for the man.