DETROIT-STYLE PIZZA TAKES OVER MELBOURNE CBD WITH 9MILE
Publicity Media Release Posted 23 March,2026
9MILE Pizza and Baby Driver have joined forces to deliver a delicious collaboration, bringing Melbourne CBD its only venue dedicated to Detroit-style pizza.
The pop-up will be hosted at Baby Driver, the upstairs sister venue to beloved Melbourne whisky bar Beneath Driver Lane, bringing bold, rectangular slices known for their thick, airy crust, crispy caramelised cheese edges and rich, unapologetic flavour. Think late nights, laneway energy and slices best shared with friends.
The menu is a playful tribute to Detroit’s most famous son, with pizzas named after Eminem tracks – a fitting nod given that Detroit-style pizza and the film 8 Mile both originate from the same city.
“Without Me” keeps it classic with 9MILE’s secret cheese mix, rich marinara, parmesan and fresh basil. “9MILE Signature” steps it up with pepperoni, rich marinara and chilli honey. “Square Dance” brings together sausage from Salumi Australia, rapini broccoli, pecorino and sriracha.
“Not Afraid” goes seafood with prawn, house-fermented chilli sauce, garlic oil, rocket and lemon. “Lose Yourself” is a cheese lover’s dream, provolone, blue cheese, chilli honey and chives. And for those who want to go all in, “The Real Thick Shady” piles on BBQ sauce, pancetta, pepperoni, sausage, smoked ham, red onion, olives and pickled jalapeño.
Rounding out the menu are 9MILE’s “Mom Spaghetti” Fried Lasagne Bites served with basil pesto and their Truffle Mac & Cheese Bites with 9MILE’s house mac sauce offering a crispy, irresistible finish.
Every 9MILE pizza starts with premium Italian flour from Molino Dallagiovanna, chosen for the structure and flavour that Detroit-style dough demands, with a signature cheese blend from That’s Amore Cheese, proudly Melbourne-made.
The bespoke cocktail list at Baby Driver matches the energy. The 9Mile Last Word reimagines a bartender’s classic born in Detroit, swapping chartreuse for Genepy to create a more sessionable, citrus-forward serve over frozen Luxardo syrup. Equally compelling is Melbourne’s twist on an Iced Irish Coffee: Jameson Black Barrel, Mr Black and fresh espresso poured over ice, crowned with Hokkaido soft serve and grated coffee.
Both brands share the same DNA, big flavour, no pretension and a love for Melbourne’s nightlife culture. Detroit pizza and a laneway Negroni on a Friday night: together, they’re creating something the CBD hasn’t seen before.
9MILE Pizza is a concept from The Talisman Group, known for creating vibrant food and drink hospitality experiences in Melbourne and Brisbane. The inspiration comes from founder Vincent Lombino, who was born in Los Angeles and spent time in cities like Detroit, Seattle and Miami, always drawn to bold American food culture.
“Detroit-style pizza stood out for its unapologetic flavour, texture and personality,” Lombino said. “I’ve been holding on to these recipes, waiting for the right opportunity to bring them to Melbourne. 9MILE is exactly that opportunity.”
“Detroit pizza is something special, it’s all about texture and attitude.” said David Burrows-Kerr, General Manager of The Talisman Group. “Cooked to perfection in rectangular steel pans with crispy edges and a soft, pillowy centre, it’s the kind of pizza people talk about.”
“Baby Driver has incredible energy; it’s the perfect setting to share great pizza over drinks and music in a packed room.”
The pop-up is launching as a limited activation, with exclusive pizzas available at Baby Driver: Square Dance, Not Afraid, Lose Yourself, 9MILE Signature and you can get the full 9MILE experience with the Ass Like That pizza, which serves up a quarter of each pizza on one pie, the entire line-up, perfect for the table to share.
For the converted, the full 9MILE Pizza offering is available at Silo No 9 West Melbourne.
WHERE TO EAT:
- Baby Driver, Level 1, Beneath Driver Lane, Melbourne CBD – Dine in
- Thursday from 5pm to late
- Friday & Saturday from 4pm to late
- Sunday from 4pm to late
- Silo No 9, Warehouse 4/1 Lennon St, West Melbourne – Pick Up (Call 1300 205 253 or visit https://9milepizza.com/)
- 9MILE Pizza is available via Uber Eats:
- Tuesday to Saturday, 4:00pm – 9:30pm
ABOUT BABY DRIVER:
Baby Driver is the creation of Hamish Goonetilleke, the force behind Beneath Driver Lane, who has built the venue through a series of carefully chosen Melbourne food and drink collaborations. As a stalwart of Melbourne’s cocktail scene, Beneath Driver Lane provides the perfect brand association for Baby Driver, lending it instant credibility and a loyal following from day one. The laneway setting, late-night atmosphere and cocktail-forward crowd make it a perfect environment for Melbourne’s first Detroit-style pizza destination in the CBD.
ABOUT TALISMAN GROUP:
The Talisman Group is an Australian hospitality company headquartered in Woolloongabba, Queensland, operating restaurants, bars and dining concepts across Brisbane and Melbourne. Founded by hospitality professionals with over 60 years of combined experience, the group develops venues with distinct identities, from neighbourhood wine bars and contemporary Italian dining to globally inspired concepts, unified by a commitment to genuine hospitality and memorable guest experiences. The group also partners with developers to contribute to emerging lifestyle precincts and communities.
