Man tries to hold up unstaffed Vic pub

A flannelette-wearing man walked into a Victorian pub, slammed a knife on the bar and demanded cash - but couldn't find any staff to help him.

The farcical attempted robbery played out at Wangaratta's Old Town and Country Tavern on Sunday when police say a gloved, hooded man approached the bar with an empty plastic bag.

He banged his knife to get the attention of staff, but none were behind the bar so the frustrated man left penniless a short time later, Victoria Police said.