TWO city nightclub workers were bashed and another stabbed in what police described as a “cowardly” attack by an ejected patron overnight.

The incident began when two men were booted out of The Toff In Town club above sister venue Cookie in Swanston St about 10.15pm — the duo assaulting two male staff.

The victims, aged 27 and 36, sustained minor facial injuries and did not require hospital treatment.

The attackers left but one later returned — stabbing another male nightclub employee in the back.

The 29-year-old, from North Melbourne, was taken to The Alfred hospital with non-life- threatening injuries.

media_camera Cookie Nightclub in Swanston St.

Sen-Det Ales Brgoc said the security guard attacked hadn’t been involved in the earlier altercation.

He was looking at his mobile phone when stabbed with a small knife.

“It was cowardly,” Sen-Det Brgoc said.

“He had his back turned so he had no opportunity to even defend himself.

“This male has just approached him without hesitation and plunged this knife into his back.”

The incident was caught on CCTV to be released soon.

The man police are hunting was aged in his late 30s with a solid build and dark hair parted to the side.

He wore a blue-tinged purple T-shirt and jeans.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

‘PACK MENTALITY’ BEHIND BOUNCER CHASE

POLICE have criticised the “pack mentality” of bouncers who chased a patron who had been refused entry into a nightclub in Melbourne’s CBD.

A security guard was slashed in the leg after a patron was refused entry to CQ in Queen St.

The attacker fled but the injured security guard and colleagues chased him to the corner of Collins St, where there was an assault.

The man received serious injuries and was taken to The Alfred hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.

The security guard received a minor slash wound and did not require hospital treatment.

Det-Sen-Sgt Wayne Dean said up to 10 bouncers set upon the rejected patron, who was also stabbed in the abdomen.

“It’s just like a pack mentality,” he said.

“That is all I can put it down to.”

Do you know more? Email our reporter wes.hosking@news.com.au

The man, 24, from South Melbourne, had surgery this morning and is recovering in hospital.

Police are yet to speak with him.

Sen-Sgt Dean said the actions of the rejected patron were “not on” but the reaction of security staff “completely and utterly over the top”.

“Police should have been called initially,” he said.

The man had been carried about 50m back to the corner of Little Collins and Queens Sts and effectively dumped in an alcove despite his injuries, he said.

Investigators are expected to speak to the security guards and ejected patron later today.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident, in particular a taxi driver who at the scene at the time of the incident.

They also appealed for the bouncers involved to come forward.

A bystander, filming what unfolded on their mobile phone, was also set upon.

The phone is yet to be located.

wes.hosking@news.com.au