Just days after 15,000 Sydneysiders marched peacefully in support of a safe and vibrant nightlife, another Kings Cross venue has closed as a result of the controversial lockout laws.

Bayswater Road restaurant and bar Barrio Chino will shut its doors, re-branding as a burger restaurant and focusing on daytime trade. Owner Nicole Galloway cited a steep decline in foot traffic as a reason for the closure, saying “we’ve had a great time here in the past five years, and the last thing we want is to close the doors. What’s happening in the Cross now means there’s just no one around… and you really can’t sustain business without foot traffic.”

While neighbouring institutions like World Bar and The Club remain open, victims of the lockout laws have been plentiful – meaning that Sydney’s most thriving party strip has now been reduced to a mere murmur. Over 40 bars, clubs and small businesses including Goldfish, Trademark and Hugo’s Lounge have ceased to operate in Kings Cross, while conveniently-timed police raids mean that Bada Bing Nightspot and Dreamgirls have temporarily shut.

Owner Peter Lew will resurrect Barrio Chino in April – with a twist. “We’ll shut Barrio Chino at the end of March, then open a pop-up at the site, Barrio Burger and Fries. It will also operate during daytime because that’s where the Cross is headed,” he said.

Let’s hope that Sydney can continue to show support for venues during this difficult time. Here are some images by Patrick Stevenson of last weekend’s ‘Keep Sydney Open’ rally – a cause we can all get behind.