Merivale Has Acquired Randwick Pub Favourite The Duke of Gloucester Hotel

Sprawling across two levels and multiple outdoor areas on the corner of Frenchmans and Clovelly roads, The Duke of Gloucester has been long been a go-to for sandy-haired Sydneysiders returning from the beach, locals looking to sink a few pints while watching the game and anyone after a decent parmi. Now, the latest in a long line of pubs, it's been acquired by Sydney hospitality giant Merivale.

Back in 2017, Merivale went on a bit of a pub-buying spree, snapping up Marrickville's Vic On The Park, The Collaroy on the northern beaches, The Tennyson on Botany Road, Bondi's Royal Hotel and Woollahra's Hotel Centennial in a short six months. But it has been a little quieter of late, with the group's latest acquisition The Allawah Hotel in Sydney's south last October.

Exactly what Merivale has planned for The DOG, as it's affectionally known, is still under wraps for now, but the group will pick up the keys to the pub in January 2021. It'll join the group's growing stable of eastern suburbs venues, including Coogee Pavilion (and its new middle-level restaurants and bars) and The Paddington, as well as the aforementioned recent acquisitions.

Totti's located in the back of the Royal Hotel by Nikki To

The DOG last changed hands back in 2015, when it was purchased by the Good Beer Company, which is behind Sydney venues such as Keg & Brew and saved Paddington's Four in Hand Hotel from being turned into residential dwellings in 2018. The Randwick pub then hit the market again back in early 2019 for a cool $30 million, according to Domain.

While we hang tight for further announcements on the fate of The DOG, we can only dream of what the makeover may entail. The return of the cook-your-own steak restaurant? We'll have to wait and see.

Merivale will receive the keys to The Duke of Gloucester in January 2021. We'll keep you updated with further announcements.