Club owners and revellers are concerned a new government-imposed lockout will lead to more alcohol-fuelled violence on Sydney streets and have the opposite effect of what it's trying to achieve.
The mandatory 2am lockout which started on December 1, is targeting 48 of the most violent pubs and clubs across NSW, but industry experts and members of the public told ninemsn the move will only make the situation worse.
"It's just going to put all those people on the street when they can't get in anywhere, so all those people that are drunk will start fights and bash people in the streets," Michael Swindley, 24, said.
"It's just the wrong thing to do and will make everything so much worse."
Social commentator Tim Duggan also worries that patrons who are locked out of venues will resort to violent outbursts.
"I think if someone's inside a venue, you at least have security in the venue," he said.
"But, if you put everyone on the street, you're essentially saying you have to fend for yourself."
Club owners like the Oxford Hotel's Robbie Geammal believes many of the targeted clubs are being unfairly attacked.
"We've been unfairly targeted and I just think it's a knee jerk reaction," he said.
The 2am lockout also includes other rules like no "shots" after midnight, ten minute alcohol time outs every hour and plastic cups for all drinks.
It's a move that club owners said would not only affect partygoers, but would also have a serious financial impact on venues.
"It's definitely going to cause a lot more unemployment for people because closing the hotel early is going to generate a lot less money for us," Mr Geammal said.
"We're going to have to lay people off in this already depressed economy."
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