Lined with cafés, takeaways and estate agents, Green Lanes in Palmers Green resembles your typical north London high street.But walk five minutes further south, as the road approaches the adjoining suburb of Wood Green, and something changes.First you notice the shopfronts: their bright, gaudy signs set above conspicuously darkened windows. Outside, groups of men gather from early in the morning to late at night - some drinking beer at plastic tables; others lingering on the pavement for hours at a time.Within half a mile are upwards of five round-the-clock drinking dens variously operating as cafés, lounges or bars. But none of the local pub-going crowd ever goes in them, nor have any of them gained more than a handful of online reviews.This situation has left neighbours understandably suspicious. They ask what is going on in these venues, who owns them and why the need for the apparent secrecy.Knowing the answers to these questions isn't merely of interest to Londoners.At a time when high streets across Britain have been taken over by a variety of 'dodgy' businesses, the reality behind this bizarre phenomenon could shine a light on the shady forces turning our town centres from community hubs to crime hot spots.The curious transformation of this half-mile stretch of Green Lanes was clear to see when the Daily Mail visited one morning last week.The atmosphere could hardly be described as family-friendly, with groups of men loitering outside the venues smoking, engaging in furtive conversations and casting suspicious glances at passers-by.The picture documented in official records was even more concerning.Our investigation discovered licensing, planning and food standards regulations being repeatedly ignored, as well as concerning links between some of the bars and serious crimes ranging from drug dealing to murder.As the while, those unfortunate enough to live near the venues complain of being subjected to round-the-clock noise and antisocial behaviour that local officials are seemingly powerless to stop.Two of the bars, Konak Lounge and Avenue Club 2, pictured one morning last week A group of men on a table at Konak Lounge. The premises has previously been known by several other names At 336 High Road, currently 2a Cafe and Pool, thirteen different companies have been linked to the same premises over a fourteen-year period