Once a darling of social media, NSW Premier Mike Baird's "cool dad" status is at risk after his Facebook response to the NSW lockout laws.
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The Premier copped criticism on social media after he defended Sydney's lockout laws in the lengthy post.
The post was shared more than 2300 times and had more than 11,000 comments, mostly criticising him.
"Some have suggested these laws are really about moralising," Mr Baird wrote. "They are right. These laws are about the moral obligation we have to protect innocent people from drunken violence."
The lockout laws have been blamed for a number of restaurant and bar closures in Kings Cross and the CBD, and for turning Sydney from a vibrant city to a joyless capital in a nanny state.
The reforms were introduced under former premier Barry O'Farrell two years ago following high-profile instances of alcohol-fuelled violence.
"[Those] who wish to define our city by one street on Kings Cross make the hysterical claim that Sydney is dead." Mr Baird said.
"They couldn't be more wrong. This is the greatest city in the world and it is now safer and more vibrant than ever."
Commenters on the Facebook past questioned why the lockout zone excluded the Star City casino and a small number of Sydney pubs that were granted an exemption as long as they stopped serving alcohol and providing any other form of entertainment other than pokie machines.
Twitter has since been flooded with the hashtag #casinomike.
The Premier has had his face plastered over memes, and social media has labelled him an "annoying dad".
A joke meme circulating on Twitter suggested Sydneysiders spend the weekend in Melbourne. "Premier Baird won't let you spend your money late at night? Spend the weekend somewhere else..." it read.
Redfern Bar, Arcadia Liquors has added Mr Baird to it's "lockout list", which includes former premier Barry O'Farrell.
In a notice addressed to the premier, it said: "In response to your recent dismissal of the debate against Sydney's lockout laws as 'public hysteria', you'll be pleased to know, you've made the list." The post read. "No Mike, Sydney is not doing fine, violence was never 'spiralling out of control' and using bogus statistics to push your personal agenda is downright shameful."
The new notice sits besides the "management reserves the right to refuse Barry O'Farrell service" post.
The Premier was also criticised for using misleading statistics to defend the success of the state government's lockout laws.
Mr Baird and his office have also been accused of removing thousands of comments on his Facebook post.
A spokesman from the Premier's office rejected claims the department has deleted the critical comments. "We have not deleted any comments from this thread. Not one," he said.
Mr Baird became a Twitter sensation after he "live tweeted" the finale of The Bachelor Australia, a reality TV program, last year.
