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
Michelin Guide restaurant OSMA is officially reopening in a brand-new location
Daisy Jackson
OSMA, the Michelin Guide-listed restaurant that closed the doors to its Prestwich restaurant last year, is set to make an epic comeback.
The much-loved restaurant has finally announced details of a new location, with acclaimed founders Danielle Heron and Sofie Stoermann-Naess moving into the Northern Quarter.
Set to open this autumn, the OSMA team will also be launching Boutikk, a grocer and provisions shop right next to the new restaurant.
Danielle and Sofie will be bringing the magic that made the restaurant so beloved in Prestwich into the city centre, blending Sofie’s Norwegian upbringing with Danielle’s classical culinary training.
When it launches at One Port Street, OSMA (which is a portmanteau of Oslo and Manchester) will have a menu of fresh seafood, local meats, seasonal vegetable dishes and the much-loved sharing Sunday roast.
While Danielle will oversee the kitchen, Sofie will lead the front-of-house and Boutikk, where customers will be able to pick up top-quality local produce.
You’ll be able to grab seasonally sourced veg, dairy, fruit and fresh meat and fish, as well as chat to chefs for advice on how best to cook everything on your shopping list.
Boutikk will also have freshly baked Scandinavian-style bread, with a retail space inspired by the shopping traditions of Sofie’s native Oslo.
As well as earning a place in the prestigious Michelin Guide, OSMA’s success in its former home in Prestwich led to Danielle taking part in both Masterchef: The Professionals, and Great British Menu, where she reached the finals in both shows.
OSMA is moving in to the Northern Quarter. Credit: Jon Parker LeeOSMA food while they were in Exhibition. Credit: The Manc Group
Since closing in Prestwich, they operated for a time out of the luxury food hall Exhibition – but now it’s time for their own site again.
Of the opening, Danielle and Sofie say: “We’re so delighted to be reopening OSMA, we’ve missed it every day and to be bringing the restaurant back into such a vibrant part of the city centre is beyond exciting.
“We will miss our community in Prestwich but we’re only a couple of miles down the road!
“Bringing a shop like Boutikk to Manchester has been a dream for such a long time – we feel that there is a need and a want for this kind of produce in the city centre so when it became apparent that we could create something alongside OSMA we jumped at the chance!”
Adam Price from One Port St’s developer, Select Property adds: “Osma has made a remarkable impact on Greater Manchester’s dining scene in a short space of time, and we’re proud to be partnering with them on this exciting new chapter.
“Their new home at One Port St is a natural fit – we share a commitment to community, quality and creativity, and this collaboration reflects our ambition to bring something truly fresh and inspiring to the Northern Quarter.
“It’s also a key part of our vision to curate an exceptional lifestyle offering for residents. In addition to indoor and outdoor working and socialising spaces, spa and wellness facilities, and panoramic views of the city, residents will have direct access to one of Manchester’s most exciting culinary destinations – all without leaving the building.”
A rosé festival where your ticket includes unlimited wine is returning to Manchester
Lydia Mastrolonardo
A festival dedicated to rosé wine is making a return to Manchester this summer – and your ticket includes unlimited wine.
This year marks the third year of The Beeswing’s Rosé Festival, which has quickly become a staple for all Mancunian wine-lovers.
This outdoor festival will transport you to a French vineyard, with acoustic live music from La Chanteuse, and a setting in amongst the leaft Kampus gardens. Even your four-legged friends are invited to the party.
Head on down to absorb some of that sunshine and get your hands on unlimited glasses of more than 20 different rosés, orange and sparkling wines, sourced from across the world.
Whether you consider yourself a connoisseur or just like the sound of some fizz in the sun, this garden party has plenty of new wines for you to try.
Sit back and relax, chat with suppliers, and if you choose to, you can purchase bottles of some seriously top-notch wines at exclusive reduced rates.
You can expect wines from Raymond Reynolds (Portuguese Wines), Alliance Wines, Hammonds of Knutsford, and Boutinot.
Beeswing in Manchester will host the rosé festival again. Credit: The Manc Group
In the run-up to the festival, The Beeswing are also holding various other opportunities for us to try some delicious wines, including an English Wine Tasting next Sunday.
Wine Tasting with Gusbourne – 28 June – Celebrate English Wine Week at an exclusive tasting experience from 4-6pm, with five Gusbourne wines and some nibbles. Tickets cost £40.
Click HERE to secure your Wine Tasting with Gusbourne tickets.
The Rosé Festival – 4 July – Hosted on the Kampus gardens in Manchester from 12.30pm-3pm. Tickets cost £35 and include unlimited wine and a welcome drink.
Tickets sold out quickly last year and booking in advance is necessary to attend.
Georgina Pellant -
12th July 2023 
