A man attending a private function at a bar and grill restaurant in Melbourne's west has been stabbed to death after a brawl broke out when another group entered the venue.
Police said the man in his 30s was stabbed during the fight at the restaurant on Gourlay Road in Caroline Springs about 2am.
Homicide Squad Senior Sergeant Pixie Fuhrmeister said the restaurant owners tried to lock the group out but were unable to.
"Our understanding is that a group of patrons were at the grill house, there was a function on at the grill house and another group has arrived," she said.
"A dispute has broken out which has resulted in a brawl and we have one male who has ended up deceased as a result of a stabbing."
Senior Sergeant Fuhrmeister said those responsible for the attack fled shortly after the stabbing.
She said paramedics treated the man with stab wounds but he died at the scene.
Police said they did not know what sparked the fight.
Senior Sergeant Fuhrmeister said there were about 30 patrons in the restaurant at the time.
She called for witnesses to contact Crime Stoppers.
"We're appealing for anyone who was present at the grill house to come forward, or anyone who was in the area that may have seen what occurred," Senior Sergeant Fuhrmeister said.
The victim is yet to be formally identified.
