A bouncer was injured as he tried to defend two men who were being attacked.
Sussex Police said that two men were being attacked outside the Umi Hotel, in King’s Road, Brighton, at about 3am on Sunday 15 June when hotel staff came to their aid.
The force said: “The hotel workers helped them inside the building but one of the attackers then turned on one of the doormen and assaulted him.
“One of the attackers then kicked the hotel door and smashed it before both men walked away.”
They were heading east – in the direction of the Thistle hotel and the Palace Pier.
The attackers were white, in their late twenties, slim and about 5ft 7in tall. One was wearing a red top and the other a white top.
The victim suffered a broken finger.
PC Helen Whitton said: “The doorman was attacked as he bravely protected the victims who were outside the hotel.
“We need to speak to anyone who saw the men attacking him or the men outside the hotel.
“Please contact us if you recognise the description of the attackers or saw what happened.
“We would also like to speak to the first two victims who the doorman helped into the hotel.
“They left after the attackers had gone but they could have vital information that could help with the investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.