Police were forced to use capsicum spray to break-up a violent brawl that broke out in Melbourne's north in the early hours of Saturday.

Senior Constable Alistair Parsons said police were called to Johnston Street, Fitzroy, about 3.15am to respond to reports that a fight had broken out and spilled over into the road.

Police arrested two men after a brawl in Johnston Street, Fitzroy. Credit:Patrick Herve

He said when police arrived there were about 20 people "pushing and shoving" each other on the westbound side of the road.

Two Sunshine West man were arrested - one, aged 32, for being drunk and verbally abusing police; and the other, aged 22, for allegedly assaulting a woman and assaulting police.