Friends grieve Melbourne stabbing victim

Friends are mourning a man who died after being stabbed in Melbourne's CBD.

Officers were called to a hotel on Market Street just after 5am on Monday following reports the man in his 20s had been stabbed.

The attackers ran off and the victim, identified as Machar Kot, was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

The 21-year-old from Kuranjang in Melbourne's outer west later died.

"Rest In Peace Machar Kot you were a good kid taken too young condolences to the family," one friend wrote on Facebook.

"R.I.P brother, taken way too soon! Gonna miss seeing your head around man and I'm devastated we never got to catch up for one last drink, fly high mate," another post read.

Detectives are investigating whether the assailants were known to Mr Kot and have appealed for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.