Alya Higgins, 20, of Newtown, is concerned about the flood of revellers coming to King Street and its pubs since the lockout came into force. Credit:James Brickwood In the 10 months following lockout laws, neighbouring suburb Petersham had a 375 per cent increase in alcohol-related violence (from 4 to 19 attacks), and Glebe had an increase of 31 per cent (from 22 to 29 incidents). Fears that Newtown is becoming increasingly dangerous have been highlighted after the bashing of transgendered resident, Stephanie McCarthy on June 5 sparked fear among the LGBTI community. However, police deny there have been any significant increases of violence in the Newtown area.

Amber poses in the Gateway brothel on Parramatta Road, Petersham. Credit:Steven Siewert "Recent independent crime statistics show there has been no concentrated displacement of alcohol-related violence to Newtown or other parts of Sydney," a police spokesperson told Fairfax Media. However, locals are not convinced. A lifelong resident, Alya Higgins, 20, says the vibe of Newtown has changed. People line up to get into a pub in Newtown on June 13. Credit:Daniel Munoz "There is a completely new crowd, it's less accepting. Everyone is dressed up as though they are going to the Cross. It's not the people you used to see in Newtown.

"There's more violence, lots of drunk people." People line up to get into a pub in Newtown on June 13. Credit:Daniel Munoz The bashing of McCarthy shocked the neighbourhood. "Newtown residents don't agree with it, it was really such a shock. Everyone was so surprised something like that would happen in Newtown," Ms Higgins said. Women enjoy a meal in the floor of a pie restaurant in Newtown. Credit:Daniel Munoz

Late-night workers agree there has been a shift in the attitudes of people coming out to the area. A bartender at one of Newtown's busiest bars said she is disappointed by the lack of respect shown by many of the young patrons on Friday and Saturday nights. "Since the lockouts, the clientele has completely transformed. The streets are full of fresh 18 to 21year-olds, looking for a night of binge drinking. Before the lockouts, there was more respect for each other, whereas now younger people have taken over and turned Friday and Saturday nights into a 'let's get pissed' challenge." she said, and asked not to be named due to a media ban from her workplace. David O'Sullivan in Newtown. Credit:Daniel Munoz The surge in popularity of the area, has not come without positives, as local businesses celebrate the boom in patronage. Fotini

The store manager of Moo Burgers on King Street, Kathinka Borsum, says the popular burger restaurant has experienced a 10-15 per cent increase in business. "I do feel like there is a lot of new people who come to explore Newtown and what it has to offer. The people that are coming here aren't just coming here to party and get drunk, they want to socialise with friends until late, enjoy the live music and the general artistic vibe that King Street has to offer." The lockout laws were introduced by the state government following the death of Thomas Kelly in a violent unprovoked attack in July 2012. The laws force venues in the the city and Kings Cross to impose lockouts after 1.30am and cease alcohol service at 3am. Battle of kings: Newtown steals sex industry The Newtown sex industry is also benefiting from the influx of people, as a number of Kings Cross brothels shut up shop following decreases in patronage.

Brothel owners around the Newtown area say they have experienced an increase in business since the introduction of the lockout laws. "If anything, they have made running our business a little easier," said Hugo, manager of the Gateway Club in Petersham. "I'd say there has been a 10 per cent increase overall since the lockout laws were introduced." Hugo is happy to see a variety of new faces being drawn into the neighbourhood. "It's becoming a popular place to go now for a younger crowd also. In the past it was mainly the 30s and over crowd who were over the city nightlife that frequented the bars and pubs on the Newtown strip. It's created a much more diverse crowd in the area."

Revellers say King Street has become the new Darlinghurst Road, but with its smaller bars, and laid-back atmosphere it is far different to the naughty image the infamous Cross gained over the years. Since the introduction of the lockout laws, well-known brothels including Secret Desire and Cleopatra in the City have closed down. However, some brothels in Kings Cross don't seem fazed by the possibility of Newtown taking their clients, and insist the downturn in profits is affecting the entire city. "I don't think we are losing out to Newtown, the lockout laws are affecting the sex industry in every suburb," says Stacey, from At Michelles in Kings Cross. She thinks a downturn in business comes down to fewer people having nights out. "The vibe in Kings Cross is completely different, not as many clients, not as safe ... people just aren't going out anymore."

Crowds pour in after midnight If you're a student, a counter-culturalist, a hipster or a lesbian, King Street might be the centre of the universe. For some it's the backdrop of four or five heady undergraduate years, for others it becomes a more permanent playground. But sharing the swingsets with outsiders can be difficult. And late on Saturday night, as the lines lengthen outside Newtown stalwarts such as the Marly and Kelly's, some wonder whether the influx of lockout escapees will tarnish Newtown's harmony. "It's noticeable," says 21-year-old student Nathan Sinclair as he queues outside ZanziBar. "Everyone wants to come here because you can stay out for longer." It is just before 1am and punters are hugging the walls along the strip as they wait for space to open up inside bars and pubs. At the epicentre near Newtown station, the Town Hall Hotel meets the Bank and ZanziBar, with Kelly's just a few doors up the road. All are doing a roaring trade.

Heading home, 23-year-old David O'Sullivan complains that the mood around King Street has been soured by lockout-related antics, despite being kilometres from the lockout zone. Bouncers have become stricter and venues are less lax, he says, while revellers from "a different demographic" seem to be causing more trouble. "It used to be this nice haven away from the city's problems, but it's now become part of the city's problems," he says. On the floor of a late-night bakery near Kelly's, a group of young women are soaking up the booze with meat pies and sausage rolls. Behind the cashier, 19-year-old Sarah van den Berg tells of the punters' pilgrimage once last drinks are called in the CBD. "Around 3 to 3.30 in the morning we get a lot of people coming in - like, a lot of people," she says. "They come here afterwards because there's a lockout in the city. It's not as bad because there are no proper clubs in Newtown [but] I think it gets pretty rowdy." Ms Van den Berg does the same when she's out with her friends after a late concert. "We can't go out in the city, so we just take a bus here," she says.

As the night wears on, the pub lines disappear. There's a small surge after 2am, one bouncer says, as the crowds flow in following the 1.30am lockout. But many locals maintain that Newtown is the same frenetic, complex and welcoming mosaic that it always was. Dave, a homeless man who usually sits on King Street until about 2.30am, says he hasn't noticed any difference in behaviour along the strip. And neither has Newtown local Musu Musa, 22, who goes out regularly but has not witnessed any increase in violence. "I don't think it has made a major difference," she says. "People go out and feel like it's okay, it's safe. I feel safe because it's my home."