A waitress has been shot and killed in a robbery at an upmarket wine bar in Atlanta, Georgia.

Police were called to reports of a shooting at Barcelona Wine Bar at the Westside Ironworks on Howell Mill Road at 1.45am on Sunday.

The 29-year-old woman was discovered upstairs with a gunshot wound to the shoulder. She was later identified as employee Chelsea Beller of Atlanta.

Tragic: The 29-year-old woman was discovered upstairs with a gunshot wound to the shoulder. She was later identified as employee Chelsea Beller of Atlanta (pictured)

According to reports, three men came in just before the restaurant was closing and tied up employees with electrical tape. They then forced Beller to open a safe upstairs before she was shot.

The suspects then fled the scene.

The waitress was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead, 11alive reported.

Police have now launched a murder investigation.

According to reports, three men came in just before the restaurant was closing and tied up employees with electrical tape. They then forced Beller (pictured) to open a safe upstairs before she was shot

The bar's general manager Eric Ferraro told Fox 5 the the loss was a 'horrible tragedy'.

'It has shaken all of us,' he said. 'As the investigation gets underway, we are working closely with Atlanta police to help them with the investigation.

'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family and our team.'

Meanwhile, friends and family have been paying tribute to the waitress on Facebook.

Pat Keenan wrote: 'It's so sad that scumbags can take a precious life for a few thousand bucks, if even that.

'Chelsea Beller you will not be forgotten, you were so great to be around and always enjoying the moment.

'I was excited to meet you in Atlanta and even more so when you came to DC to help lead the team.

'You're one of a kind. My heart goes out to your family and friends.'

Another friend, Lauda Rodriguez Lacayo, wrote: To the most beautiful heart we have all known and loved.

'You lived out loud in a way that made everyone listen and love you. Every day. You pushed the envelope for everyone to be great in their own way.

'You dared to be real and live with you heart on your sleeve in the most colorful and beautiful ways possible.

'Always being you from beginning to end. Thank you for every day we shared and thank you for challenging me to be the better version of myself.'