Merivale Buys Enmore's Queen Victoria Hotel
Justin Hemmes is steering the Meriship eastward.
Inner west, Merivale’s coming for you. By late April, Justin Hemmes and his ravenous hospitality commonwealth will officially take possession of Enmore’s Queen Victoria Hotel. After the group's recent purchase of the Newport Arms and the widely publicised success of the Coogee Pavilion, Merivale have officially declared their aim to dominate all points of the Sydney compass.
“The Queen Victoria Hotel is another fantastic addition to the Merivale group in what is undoubtedly our most exciting year yet,” Mr Hemmes, CEO of Merivale, said in a media statement. “I am passionate about creating world-class venues designed specifically around the local community and look forward to becoming part of Sydney’s thriving inner west.”
In early June, the pub will relaunch with a mega focus on food. This time, it’ll be of the Hong Kong street-inspired variety. Heading the kitchen will be cracking culinary pair, Christopher Hogarth and Patrick Friesen. Currently at Manly’s Papi Chulo, the two have done the rounds at numerous Merivale venues, including Mr. Wong, Ms.G’s and El Loco.
The move to take ownership of the Queen Victoria is Merivale’s first invasion of the inner west. The group announced its purchase of the Newport Arms last month and has been winning over the Eastern suburbs with its revamp of the Coogee Pavilion. There are now more than fifty restaurants, bars, pubs, hotels and function spaces in the Merivale portfolio and further expansion is rumoured for 2015.