PICKLESUSHI

Overview

Pickleball is everywhere now. It's got its own National Pickleball League in South Melbourne that's hosting an alternative speed-dating event this February. QT Melbourne and Hilton Melbourne even had pop-up rooftop pickleball courts for the Australian Open.

And now, one of the best Japanese restaurants and sushi spots in Melbourne, Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya, has teamed up with the NPL to host an evening of pickleball, prosecco and live sushi-making. Because, why not?

On Friday, February 23, ticketholders will head to NPL's The Jar to play a casual doubles round-robin while sipping on prosecco, before they get 1.5 hours of unlimited sushi and drinks.

One of Ichi Ni's sushi masters will be pumping out maki rolls and nigiri from the small open kitchen, so guests can watch on after playing a few rounds of pickleball. These folks are absolute legends in the sushi game, so you'll want nab a front row seat to their show.

What's on the menu for PICKLESUSHI? There'll be a selection of classic salmon and tuna nigiri, plus two of Ichi Ni's signature maki rolls. These will be the Ichi Ni maki roll — an inside-out roll filled with lobster, avocado and cucumber that's topped with flamed salmon and mayo — and the yasai roll made with inari, cucumber, avocado, daikon and sesame seeds. The crew has even made a special pickled sushi just for the event. This bad boy will feature ceviche kingfish and jalapeños.

Pair these next-level after-work eats with wine, beer, seltzers and soft drinks from The Jar's bar — all included in the $90 ticket.