Merivale buys the Queen Victoria Hotel in Enmore

Hospitality giant Merivale has added the inner west to its shopping list, snapping up the Queen Victoria Hotel in Enmore.

Merivale chief Justin Hemmes had barely put his chequebook back in his pocket after last month's purchase of the Newport Arms, rumoured to have cost $46 million, before paying a price believed to be just south of $11 million for the Enmore Road acquisition.

Hemmes wouldn't be drawn on the price, but believes he's hitched his wagon to an area on the rise.

"For me it's like Surry Hills used to be. I went to a Lebanese place, Emma's, about six months ago and just thought the crowd was fantastic. It's a really interesting demographic, lots of artists and younger couples," Hemmes says.

The bar tsar has been circling the Queen Vic since last year. He says it helps that the pub is near one of his favourite Sydney venues, The Enmore Theatre, and says the venue will offer Hong Kong-inspired street food.

"We might have pre- and post-show meals. I'm not sure what we'll do exactly, but there is going to be a strong, accessibly priced food focus. We'll give it a small makeover then do something bigger down the track," he says.

Merivale's arrival on Enmore Road is perfectly timed, with a rash of new venues opening on the strip. In recent months Hartsyard's bar spin-off The Getz has swung open its doors, as has a new restaurant, Bauhaus West. Building work is also underway at Porteno chef Ibrahim Kasif's Turkish-inspired Stanbuli restaurant.

"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," Hemmes says.