Pubs in the Sydney suburb of Newtown have volunteered to introduce lockout-style arrangements in a bid to discourage drunken revellers drifting across from Kings Cross.
The tough lockout laws introduced in the red-light district and central business district following the one-punch deaths of Daniel Christie and Thomas Kelly have sparked fears violent crowds will simply migrate to city-fringe party districts.
Although statistics released in April by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research do not appear to bear out that concern, Newtown Liquor Accord chairman Tim Claydon says bars and clubs in the inner-west suburb want to act before any violence takes hold in their backyard.
Mr Claydon, who runs the Vanguard, said he wanted to put punters on notice: "Don't even think of heading to Newtown at 3am after a night out in the city as you simply won't get into venues."
Among the weekend measures expected to be taken up by venues in Newtown from September are a ban on sales of alcohol shots after midnight, and introducing a pass-out system so no new patrons can gain entry after 3am.
"(These measures) will keep Newtown a safe place for locals and visitors alike," Mr Claydon said.
"This has always been a community with a special vibe - and the accord means to keep it that way.
"We are a neighbourhood here, we work together to protect our right to enjoy a night out."
The move comes even as angry venues in Kings Cross say the NSW government's anti-violence reforms are pushing down revenues and forcing some traders to shut up shop.
One of Sydney's best known nightspots, Hugos Lounge, was placed into voluntary administration this week.
Hugos is the latest in a list of nearby venues, including the Goldfish Bar and Soho, that have closed their doors following the introduction of the lockout laws in February 2014.
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