With one of its venues hidden on a backstreet in the Northern Quarter, gaming bar NQ64 has just released a new menu of cocktails all inspired by retro movies, console and arcade games.
From the Ms Stay Puft, which nods to cult film favourite Ghostbusters, to the Super Coco Ball, inspired by the arcade game Super Monkey Ball, each drink embraces a different element of gaming culture.
The subterranean drinking den, which has two sites in Manchester – one in the Northern Quarter and a second on Peter Street – has proven a huge favourite since its arrival in Manchester – allowing locals to revel in nostalgia by button-bashing on classic machines such as Time Crisis, Pac Man and The Simpsons.
Now, it’s released a brand new cocktail menu – and we’re a little bit obsessed.
Image – The Manc Eats
Image – The Manc Eats
Think fruity spritzes inspired by the Mario series, like the Mega Daisy (a combination of lychee, elderflower, orange and prosecco), and the Fantasia, a Fanta-topped sour cherry margarita that nods to the iconic Final Fantasy series.
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Elsewhere, you’ll find the Simpsons-inspired Lake Springfield, combining JD Apple, melon liqueur and Toxic Waste Cordial, and non-alcoholic options like the No Uka Uka (made with Refresher sweetie syrup, guava, pineapple and lime) and Driver Spritz (Crodino Aperitivo 0%, candied strawberry, lemon and soda).
The neon-splattered bars originally launched on the Northern Quarter’s Short Street in 2019 before opening its second site on Peter Street in 2021.
Image – The Manc Eats
Image – The Manc Eats
Full of retro arcade games and classic consoles, gaming fans can sip on cocktails, craft beers and spirit mixers whilst playing all of their favourites – including the likes of Pac-Man, Time Crisis 2 and Guitar Hero will be additions such as the Mario Kart arcade game, Time Crisis 3 and NBA Jam.
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Arcade games are played using a token system, whilst elsewhere there are a selection MegaDrive, PlayStations, GameCube and Super Nintendo consoles for people to get stuck into.
All the new drinks are available now, with both bars open late until 2am every night of the week. To find out more, visit the NQ64 website here and follow the bars on Instagram here.
Feature image – NQ64
Eats
A friendly reminder that there’s a takeaway called Jack Grillish in Swinton
Danny Jones
As were swept up in World Cup fever, football seems to be slowly consuming every other aspect of our everyday life, including food. Then we remembered there’s a takeaway called Jack Grillish.
Yes, seriously.
lf you’ve never heard of the pun-based fast-food joint over in Swinton, Salford, Jack Grillish is the late-night grill and cult-favourite takeaway named after the man himself.
Despite only joining Manchester City back in August of 2021, it didn’t take long at all for Grealish to get his own takeaway named after him, as the Chorley Road spot formerly known as Food Station changed its name not long after.
Most football legends have to wait their entire career to have a foodstuff named after them, let alone an entire building. In fact, we went there a couple of months back to see it ourselves.
Jack Grillish‘s menu is exactly the kind of thing you’d expect to see at any no-nonsense takeaway in Greater Manchester: big burgers, lots of lovely chicken and plenty of naughty desserts.
Specialising in large trays of baked chicken, cheese and chips, it might not be the kind of thing the man himself can eat whilst away at England camp, but it’d certainly make for a banging tea for anyone watching the France game at home this Saturday.
Put another way, we’re hoping that by ordering from the gaff before the game, we’ll send a message out into the universe and not only will ‘Super Jack’ score but we breeze into the next stage of Qatar 2022.
If you also happen to be a bit superstitious, you can order from Jack Grillish HERE.
Featured Image — Jack Grillish (via Facebook)/Jack Grealish (via Instagram)
Eats
Three Greater Manchester restaurants named in top 100 places to eat in the UK
Danny Jones
Three Greater Manchester restaurants have been named among the top 100 places to eat in the UK.
As per data compiled by food review and booking site, OpenTable, a trio of Manc eateries made it onto their official list of the best restaurants in the UK.
Now, we are by no means surprised to see 0161 represented on this list — we have some of the best food in the world here, FACTS — we were just expecting there to be more local names on it, but it’s still good to see that the picks weren’t just city-centre venues.
Without further ado, after collating thousands of reviews, here are the selections for 2022:
Gaucho is the Argentinian steak house located just off Deansgate on St. Mary’s Street that serves up some of the most perfectly-cooked meat and accompaniments you’ll find anywhere in town. The brand may have expanded to 17 different sites across the nation, but they’re not compromising on quality.
The five-star establishment is a favourite among famous faces like the City squad and according to one reviewer, it is “just the most beautiful experience… first class”. It’s no wonder it won best restaurant in Manchester earlier this year.
Next up is the beloved Kala Bistro located on King Street. The place specialises in combining fine dining with comfort food and never fails to deliver, so it just had to end up on this list. Owned by Gary Usher of Hispi in Didsbury, Kala had a following from minute one.
It’s a favourite among The Manc office, but don’t just take our word for it. One person wrote: “I cannot recommend this amazing restaurant enough. Food was wonderful, the staff were amazing. The overall experience was fantastic. Definitely will be returning”. High praise and well deserved in our books.
And then we come to a pick that really put on a smile our faces: The Cherry Tree at Blackrod over in Bolton. Renovated over lockdown, this place was always lovely but post-makeover its food has been better than ever. Most importantly, reviewers seem to agree.
The independent restaurant promises unpretentious, classic and seasonal cooking, local ingredients wherever possible and a “gorgeous ambience”. Not only do they deliver tried and tested favourites but they always manage to put a modern British twist on things. Give it a try.
Unbelievably, Manchester made up only a sliver of OpenTable’s top 100 places to eat in the UK, with more than 60% of the restaurants picked located in London.
But not to worry, we’re sure all will be corrected come next year.
Georgina Pellant -
23rd November 2022 
