Parents seek help over nightclub death

The devastated family of a young man fatally stabbed at a Brisbane nightclub cannot believe no one among several hundred patrons saw anything.

No eyewitnesses have come forward since 20-year-old Phillip Halipilias was stabbed in the upper body and collapsed on the dance floor at the Alexandra Hills Hotel at 12.40am (AEST) on Saturday.

Detective Superintendent Tony Cross said Halipilias, of Victoria Point in Brisbane's southeast, died inside the nightclub following an argument between two small groups of men.

He said police were reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing hundreds of people.

Halipilias' parents Steve and Sophie and older brother Spiro on Monday made an emotional appeal for information.

Mr Halipilias said he was convinced someone witnessed the stabbing or had information.

"I know and I feel there is someone out there who knows something to help put this person away and stop him from doing anything like that to anyone else and suffer the way we are suffering at the moment," Mr Halipilias told reporters in Brisbane.

"If you do know please contact the police ... otherwise you are a coward just like him.

"I would like to see the place closed down to be honest," Mr Halipilias added.

"I heard in the past what has been going on (at the hotel) and nothing has been done about it."

Phillip was the youngest of three siblings, including an older sister Anna.

His mother and brother, Spiro, said metal detectors and more security were needed at the Alexandra Hills Hotel.

Mrs Halipilias said she could not understand why someone would want to stab her son.

"I can't believe out of 600 people no one saw anything," she said.

"That my boy was dancing and that they could stab him and he could fall and no one saw anything.

"I want my boy. And I don't want anyone to feel how we are feeling right now."

Spiro Halipilias said his brother was an aspiring rapper who was cheeky, honest and fun loving.

"He loved his music and that's why he was there to enjoy music and dance," he said.

"Everyone loved him. He had only been in town for a short time but already had heaps of friends."

The family moved from Melbourne to Brisbane more than a year ago.

Alexandra Hills Hotel owner Tom McGuire said over the weekend that if metal detectors were deemed necessary, he would introduce them.

He could not be contacted for further comment on Monday.

Det Supt Cross said the hotel used an ID scanner to record those who entered the nightclub on the second floor of the Alexandra Hills Hotel where the stabbing occurred.

"They have CCTV footage in the hotel premises itself and we are also examining that, but you have to appreciate with the large amount of people there, how difficult that is," he said.