But instead of a cook-off, teams from the local businesses stepped onto a makeshift court and played each other in a knock-out basketball tournament.

The Wollongong Hawks set up the court outside His Boy Elroy and San Churros and refereed the competition, while customers and family members drank, ate and cheered for their teams.

Ben Hudson, owner of His Boy Elroy said his basketball-loving staff thought of the idea of the basketball competition.

"It's a challenge that one bar has put out to other businesses, to take them on," he said.

"There's been a lot of sledging going on over Facebook, because they know each other and most of them have a history."

The Illawarra Brewery, Lee and Me, i98fm, Diggies and Vision Fitness were just some of the teams competing for a cash prize of $500, and $400 worth of Mitchell and Ness gear.

Each team entered three players and the first to 15 points won the game and progressed to the next round.

Ex-Hawks player Alex Beagley represented his employer's side, His Boy Elroy, which triumphed over the Primo team 15-7 in the competition final.

Beagley, who wore Reebok pumps with a basketball logo, said the competition brought some life to the mall.

"This doesn't happen in Wollongong," he said.

"It's got that New York feel."

Diggies owner Aaron Crinis said he joined in because he loved basketball.

"I don't think our chances are good," he said after winning the first round.

"The i98 team were really strong - they could win."

Competitor and owner of Lee and Me, Lee Sullivan, said he was playing with two customers.

He laughed at his chances of winning the tournament.

"If I don't pull a hamstring I'll be happy," he said.

"If I play poorly today I'm going to hear about it for the next few weeks.

"I dish it out a fair bit from behind the coffee machine.

"But if I play badly, there's going to be plenty of customers walking in and giving me a lots of curry.

"[Plus] my wife and three kids will be watching me play."