Dunedin businessman Sean McCarrigan has taken on the lease to Heff's Hotel in King Edward St and is in the process of applying for a on-licence from the Dunedin City Council.
Mr McCarrigan told the Otago Daily Times he would prefer to comment on his plans for the pub once the licence process had finished.
In his application Mr McCarrigan said because of the history of the pub he would be "hands on'' for at least the first year.
"I see this as an opportunity for me and my family but I am aware that a huge effort will be required to get this establishment on track.''
Public submission on the licence close on September 7.
The South Dunedin bar closed at the end of last month after former publican Stephen Clark had his managers licence and the bar's on-licence cancelled by the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (Arla).
Police applied to Arla to have the licences cancelled after a string of incidents during Mr Clark's running of the bar, including hosting a gang wake and patrons drinking on Christmas Day.
Before he was forced to close the bar Mr Clark told the ODT police had targeted the bar because it was a working class pub.
At the time police alcohol harm prevention officer Sergeant Ian Paulin said Mr Clark had ample warning to rectify the issues after previous suspensions in 2012 and 2017.
