The licencee and staff of the Kemblawarra Portuguese Sports and Social Club were left devastated when they found the entry bars bent and the glass doors shattered.

Club licencee and manager Abbie Coleman was alerted to the break in when the security company called her at about 3.30am causing her to rush to the business on Shellharbour Road and call police.

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The CCTV footage shows a Coates Hire ute enter the driveway, exit then re-enter before the driver lined up the car and reversed into the front doors.

"The driver then slips through the small gap," Ms Coleman said.

"He then runs straight to the poker machine room, like he knew where he was going, and that triggered an alarm.

"I'm disappointed because I think it could be someone who knows the club."

The footage shows the offender running out of the poker room but he does not want to leave empty-handed so he kicks in a door, goes behind the bar and grabs seven bottles of spirits.

The thief puts them in a bag, picks up a backpack from behind the bar before he ducks out through the doors and drives off.

"I got here a minute after he left," Ms Coleman said.

"It was terrifying to think I could have gotten here to turn off the alarm and he could have still been inside.

"It is scary for my staff too."

Ms Coleman said she was "disappointed" by the break and enter.

"We are a small club so we don't make a massive profit like the big ones," she said.

"We are trying to build up the club and we are changing it.

"For this to happen really kicks us back far."

She said insurance would cover cost of damage to the venue but she would lose revenue from not being able to trade on Monday.

Ms Coleman said the damage the thief caused "was just not worth it".

"He might have thought there would be money in the poker machines but we don't leave any money in the machines," she said.

"It is so silly because thieves are just doing damage.

"They aren't getting anything out of it.

"A couple bottles of spirits is not worth jail time.

"Breaking in is not worth the damage done to the club because they aren't going to get into where the money is kept."

Ms Coleman, who works hard to ensure the club has an inclusive family and community atmosphere, hopes customers come to the club to help support it.

Detectives were at the club on Monday making further inquiries.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Lake Illawarra Police 42325599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.