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
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.
Burger King is giving away free burgers to new drivers today
Emily Sergeant
Burger King will be giving away burgers to drivers who have recently passed their tests for free of charge today.
In case it wasn’t on your radar, tomorrow (Thursday 24 July) is actually National Drive-Thru Day, and in a bid to properly celebrate this unofficial holiday, Burger King has decided to hand out a bunch of freebies to newbies today.
The fast food chain is asking all new drivers to “buckle up”, head on down to their nearest Burger King drive-thru, and help themselves to a free burger.
All newly-qualified drivers will be able to take their pick from either the Whopper or Chicken Royale without parting ways with a penny, and all they’ll need to do the claim their freebie is simply show off their learner’s ‘L Plates’ to the staff at their local Burger King restaurant.
/ Credit: Burger King UK (via Instagram) | Supplied
Hundreds of Burger King drive-thrus across the UK are taking part in the one-day promotion – including several across in Greater Manchester.
Although it might seem a little too good to be true, there’s a reason Burger King has chosen to dish out the freebies, and that’s because the company says it knows that one of the first activities newly-qualified drivers like do once they’ve passed their test is make a pit stop at a drive-thru with their mates to show off their new wheels and skills.
Sometimes though, navigating a drive-thru for the first time can be tricky, and this leaves new drivers feeling a bit like a rabbit in the headlights.
Luckily with this one-day Burger King offer, new drivers’ first drive-thru trip couldn’t be any easier.
The offer is available nationwide today (Wednesday 24 July) at Burger King drive-thru lanes only, while stock lasts, and newly qualified drivers must verbally mention “BK Plates” at the drive-thru lane to unlock their free burger.