A man is fighting for his life after he was stabbed following an argument in southeast Queensland.

The 20-year-old and another man, 22, were allegedly in an argument with a 17-year-old boy at a Cleveland hotel about 12.20am on Saturday.

Police say both men were taken to hospital after being stabbed, with the 20-year-old in a critical condition and the 22-year-old suffering a torso wound that was not life threatening.

A 17-year-old Birkdale teenager has been charged with unlawful wounding and acts intended to maim.