More than 1000 people have marched from Hyde Park to Kings Cross to protest against the state government's "draconian" lockout laws.

The protesters, from a group named Reclaim the Streets, are calling for the lockout laws to be abandoned because late-night revellers are pushed out of the central business district and drawn to areas such as Newtown, causing an increase in alcohol-fuelled violence there.

Reclaim the Streets spokeswoman Amanda Sordes said: "The main issue is they don't solve the problem, they push it in the neighbouring suburb. The drunk people come to Newtown because they can't go to anywhere else in Kings Cross."

Scott Read, 37, of Stanmore, said he was "angry and upset" at the lockout laws, which he claims have ruined Newtown and made it more unsafe.

"I don't go out in Newtown on Friday and Saturday nights any more because it's like an influx of people with a very angsty attitude and it's just uncomfortable," Mr Read said.

He criticised the lockout laws as a temporary solution that doesn't solve the broader issue.

"It's not actually addressing the root cause of the problem, which is a cultural problem with violence," he said.

"What they're doing is addressing the problem at the wrong end. I think there needs to be a much greater conversation around male violence and why it happens and what the culture [is] that drives that."

Chris White of St Peters said the laws were "draconian" and said the government should apply the lockout right across the city to reduce crime.

In June, Fairfax Media revealed violent alcohol-related crimes had increased 18 per cent in the Newtown area.