NQ64, the original Northern Quarter retro gaming bar, will open a huge venue in the city centre this summer complete with a brand new outdoor gaming terrace.
The neon-splattered Northern Quarter bar originally launched on Short Street in 2019, but now, having outgrown its old home, owners have revealed they are gearing up to take over the 350-capacity Dive Bar next door.
From 1 August, NQ64 will officially move one door down the road as the retro arcade and classic console party bar super sizes itself.
Outside on the new terrace, two new arcade machines will allow guests to soak up some rays whilst they game and sip on gaming-inspired cocktails that nod to favourites like Donkey Kong and Sonic the Hedgehog.
Inside, meanwhile, specially-designed booths and banquette seating will make room for more customers and even more games.
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Inside the original NQ64, where it all began in 2019. / Image: NQ64
Time Crisis is a gamer’s favourite at NQ64. / Image: NQ64
NQ64 will take over the former Dive Bar site and install a new gaming terrace outside. / Image: Dive Bar
Alongside fan favourites like Guitar Hero, Pac-Man, Street Fighter, and Time Crisis, the new and improved gaming bar will be introducing the likes of the basketball shooting game Pop-A-Shot, and a ‘Wall Boy’, which elevates the game boy to a large screen.
Drinks-wise, NQ64 will continue to serve the gaming-themed cocktails it has become so famous for. Look out for the Power Star Martini, which offers a twist on a passionfruit martini, the Dr Ro Bev Nik, a cherry Old Fashioned named after the villain in Sonic, and the Donkey Kong-inspired Kong Island Iced Tea.
Elsewhere, there’s an extensive offering of craft beers, wines, spirits, sodas and non-alcoholic cocktails, as well as a bunch of old-school childhood favourite snacks such as Space Raiders and Monster Munch.
Speaking on the move into Dive Bar, Matt Robson, director at NQ64, said: “The public have spoken, and we have listened. No more 1-star Google reviews telling us it looks bigger on the photos, because this one is actually massive.
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“We saw the site come up and it was a no-brainer to move in, not too much of a trek from the original, with loads more room for games, and a mega terrace too.”
“We love to show we really do listen to our customers, and have chosen a venue that holds more games, more people & more fun, whilst not being too hard for our guests to find (we hope). We can’t wait to open our doors & show everyone what we’ve done with the place.”
To celebrate the move on Tuesday 1 August the first 50 customers through NQ64’s new doors will be treated to a gift bag full of goodies, including an NQ64 t-shirt.
The new NQ64 Manchester location will be open seven days a week, from 4pm to 2am on weekdays and from 12pm to 2am on weekends.
Featured image – NQ64
Eats
Festive Bakes return as Greggs unveils its Christmas menu for 2024
Emily Sergeant
Greggs has unveiled its Christmas menu for 2024, and that means the Festive Bake is back again in all its glory.
The UK’s most-popular high street bakery chain has officially revealed the first round of its festive food and drink offering for the 2024 season, and there’s a few brand-new goodies joining the lineup this year, along with the return of some undeniable fan-favourites.
And of course, nothing spells Christmas at Greggs quite like the Festive Bake, right?
The chain’s classic crumb-coated pastry filled with chicken, sage and onion stuffing, and sweetcure bacon in a creamy sage and cranberry sauce goes down an absolute treat each year, and is a serious fan-favourite, so it’s no surprise it’s made a comeback for 2024.
‘Tis the season! Get ready to taste a ‘rapturous riot of flavour’ declares @Nigella_Lawson because the Festive Bakes are returning!
Thankfully for plant-based foodies, the Vegan Festive Bake has also made a comeback this year after being absent in 2023.
Another returning Greggs festive favourite this year is the Christmas Lunch Baguette, which is a freshly-baked baguette “jam-packed full of festive flavours”, alongside the brand-new Festive Flatbread with sage and onion-style chicken, sweetcure bacon, mayo and cranberry and red onion relish.
When it comes to sweet treats, the second round of the Greggs’ festive menu set to be released in late November is expected to feature lots more goodies, but for now, the yummy Toffee Fudge Muffin, and the indulgent Chocolate & Hazelnut Flavour Doughnut have both returned to satisfy your sugar cravings.
Greggs has unveiled its Christmas food and drink menu for 2024 / Credit: Greggs
The festive drinks lineup this year includes some sweet new additions, alongside the popular Mint and Orange mochas and hot chocolates, and the Salted Caramel Latte.
Gingerbread is the new flavour for 2024, and you can get Gingerbread Lattes both hot and iced, as well as a Gingerbread Flat White.
All drinks are topped with whipped cream, and come with a range of festive sauces and toppings.
The 2024 Greggs Christmas menu is now available to tuck into across the UK from this Thursday (7 November).
Featured Image – Greggs
Eats
‘Dashing dachshund’ pop-up cafe to welcome hundreds of sausage dogs to Manchester this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Big dachshund fan? Love seeing lots of little sausage dogs in the same place? Looking for your little pup to make some sausage friends?
Well, you’re in luck, as the Dachshund Pup Up Cafe is back at the end of next month, and if the concept of the popular event wasn’t flipping cute enough already as it is, this time around, it’s a Christmas-themed edition, and it’s all sounding set to be the perfect festive day out in the city with your four-legged friend.
If you’re looking to get in the Christmas spirit early, then the ‘Dashing Dachshund’ pop up cafe – or we should say ‘pup up cafe’ – is returning to Manchester next weekend.
The adorable event will be filling a popular city centre venue with loads of sausage dogs to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
A ‘dashing dachshund’ pop-up cafe is coming to Manchester this Christmas / Credit: The Pup Up Cafe
Last year, more than 250 dachshunds visited the cafe to join in on the festive fun, and this year is expected to be no different, as the event organisers have secured a large city centre space for all the dogs to roam free.
Sausage dog owners and dachshund fans can mingle with many furry little friends, take part in a range of seasonal activities, and stock up on dachshund-related goodies as early Christmas presents.
The pups themselves can enjoy unlimited dog treats and free puppuccinos, while playing until their heart’s content with other sausages.
It’s all sounding set to be the perfect festive day out with your four-legged friend / Credit: The Pup Up Cafe
With up to 50 sausage dogs allowed per session, and festive fancy dress very much encouraged, each pup will get a Christmas present on arrival at the party, and will even have the chance to win some extra prizes if they’re the best dressed.
A dedicated photographer will be getting snaps of each session and there’ll be loads of Christmas props to use in the pictures.
So, if you fancy joining The Pup Up Cafe for “a sausage mad day” when it arrives in Manchester for Christmas on Sunday 17 November, then tickets will set you back £12 if you’re a sausage dog owner, and £15 if you’re just a dachshund fan who’s keen to go along for the fun anyway.
Georgina Pellant -
12th July 2023 
