Merivale pulls out of Opera Bar race

Merivale has pulled out of the race for Opera Bar - good news for the field of players in the race for the highly lucrative venue.

Merivale refused to comment regarding Opera Bar, but those aware of negotiations say the hospitality giant took issue with aspects of the deal it found restrictive.

The Opera House has been tight-lipped on the deal and keen to avoid further embarrassment after Stokehouse pulled out of the Bennelong deal, forcing the restaurant site back on the market.

Interest in Opera Bar is such that Sportsbet has created a market on the winner, seemingly based on Short Black's earlier market intel.

Incumbent Morsul-Solotel is short odds at $2.20, Merivale ($3.50), Keystone ($4), Urban Purveyor Group ($6) and Fraser Short ($7). A yet-to-be revealed dark horse is also believed to be in the field.