Victoria Police has set up Operation Eclipse to specifically look at the motivation behind 15 incidents involving hospitality venues across inner Melbourne since April 14.
Eleven were fires or attempted arsons in the CBD, South Melbourne and Prahran entertainment precincts.
Lonsdale Street and South Yarra venues have been the target of shootings and police believe two kidnappings are also linked.
Police foiled another attempted arson on a venue in Southbank in the early hours of Monday.
Two 16-year-old boys were charged after they were allegedly seen putting on balaclavas and latex gloves, with jerry cans and a sledgehammer found in a nearby parked car.
Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly suggested unknown crime figures were predominantly recruiting youth gang members through encrypted apps to do their bidding for as little as $500 and as much as $20,000.
The same methodology has been used in Victoria's long-running tobacco turf war.
Twelve people have been arrested over the spate of incidents but those "pulling the strings" and their motive remain a mystery.
Det Supt Kelly said it wasn't clear whether the attacks were the beginning of an illegal alcohol trade war.
"That's the million-dollar question," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"Everything is on the table."
Det Supt Kelly said police were aware alcohol could be coming into the nation without being taxed.
"I'm not necessarily saying that's what we've got here, but it is something we're looking at," he said.
Operation Eclipse will be made up of specialist and experienced detectives and intelligence practitioners from gang crime and arsons and explosives squads, VIPER taskforce, and cybercrime, economic crime and organised crime divisions.
None of the targeted businesses have reported extortion attempts and are all co-operating with police.
Police are urging venues to have clear evacuation plans in place to ensure patrons and staff can get out safely if an arson attack occurs during operating hours.
"If an incorrect venue is hit with an arson, my biggest nightmare is there are people inside that venue and they're trapped," Det Supt Kelly said.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Sally Curtain said repeated incidents could dent confidence, with flow-on effects for businesses and patronage.
"Melbourne remains a world-class city with a vibrant hospitality sector, and the message to patrons is to stay alert, not alarmed, and continue to support the venues that are such a vital part of our economy," she said.
A state government spokesperson said any attempt to intimidate or endanger Victorians would not be tolerated.
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