Stockport is set to get its first retro gaming bar this winter as the former Mama Sanctuary spa on Princess Street is transformed into an arcade haven.
Spreading across two floors, it comes from partners Joseph Patten and Amy Fletcher and will.
Already established in the local hospitality scene. Joseph has already made a name for himself in Stockport with venues including Cracked Actor, The Glass Spider and Dr Feelgood.
Now, he and Amy are workig together on a new venture that will celebrate some iconic arcade games from their childhoo,d including Super Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Donkey Kong – all playable using tokens that can be collected from the bar.
Called Glitch, in an interview with the Manchester Evening Newsthe pair described the new gaming bar as an “interactive museum for vintage arcade lovers”.
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However, they also revealed that it won’t just be about retro games here.
The modern crowd of gamers will be equally well catered to, with 11 different high-tech gaming booths – all bookable by the hour – kitted out with 40 inch screens, Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, SEGA Mega, and Nintendo 64.
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Elsewhere, the team is working on creating an experiential Star Wars ‘duelling room’ with light sabers available to rent. Although it doesn’t sound like this will be ready before its pre-Christmas opening, it’s something we’re happy to wait for.
Drinks-wise, gamers can expect to find a wide array of themed cocktails that nod to Glitch’s playful theme alongside a selection of local beers from Siren Brewery.
The pair also said that they hope the bar will “change the lay of the land massively for more bars of this type to invest in Stockport Town centre.
They continued: “It’s certainly the first of its kind in Stockport but it’s where the bar world is heading.
“We believe it’s the next big push needed to bring immersive interactive bars to Stockport, in the same way they do in the cities. It’s a chance to provide more than just a sit down with a beer, people want more of an experience when they hit the town now. GLITCH provides that.
“It’s a hit of nostalgia like a interactive museum for vintage arcade lovers, whilst also offering the look into the future with all the latest consoles for groups to book out. I think it’s the perfect time of year to be opening with Christmas around the corner.”
Feature image – Google maps / Slackers
Food & Drink
Manchester’s newest Mexican restaurant is giving away 1,000 FREE margaritas to celebrate its launch
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s newest Mexican-inspired restaurant is getting ready to open its doors with an exciting giveaway.
In case you hadn’t heard, the former Sunset by Australasia bar and terrace in Spinningfields is being transformed into a colourful new Mexican spot called OCASA, and it’s set to open just in time for this upcoming Easter bank holiday weekend.
The 80-seat sun terrace on The Avenue – just behind Australasia itself, which recently reopened after a stunning refurbishment at the end of last week – will take inspiration from the shores of Tulum, to the street food scene of Mexico City.
You can expect to see it serving premium tequila, cocktails, and Mexican-inspired food.
Manchester’s new Mexican-inspired restaurant OCASA is opening in Spinningfields this Friday / Credit: Supplied
Diners can look forward to plenty of music and entertainment, including mariachi bands, ice-cold frozen margaritas, and tableside guacamole, plus BBQ tacos fresh off the grill, Sunday feasts, and loads more.
Not to mention, it will also become the city’s ‘ultimate tequila destination’ with one of the country’s most extensive collections of premium spirits.
Oh, and if you go the launch day, you can also look forward to free margaritas too.
Running this Friday from 3pm through to 6pm, all with ‘no strings attached’, the first guests to arrive will be invited to enjoy an expertly-crafted frozen margarita, made with the signature Casamigos tequila, for completely free of charge.
You can kick off your bank holiday in style with an icy margarita on OCASA’s sun-drenched al fresco terrace, soaking up the city’s vibrant charm and spring sunshine… if it sticks around and shows its face, that is.
Alongside those free frozen margaritas, OCASA’s new menu will feature a mouth-watering selection of small plates all made for sharing while savouring and soaking up the atmosphere.
OCASA officially opens to the Manchester public on Good Friday (18 April), so if you want to be among the first to experience the city’s boldest new restaurant and bar, and claim your free frozen margarita of course, then get on down there from 3pm.
Featured Image – Jakub Kapusnak (via Rawpixel)
Food & Drink
Deansgate’s FREE three-day spring street festival is back at Great Northern Warehouse next month
Emily Sergeant
A three-day outdoor festival full of food, drink, and live music is returning to hidden city centre street in a couple of weeks time.
Back by popular demand for its fifth year in Manchester, after bursting onto the scene with huge success back in 2021, Great Northern Warehouse, has announced it’s hosting its three-day outdoor festival, Deansgate Mews Festival, once again in 2025 – with market traders, al fresco dining, and so much more on the lineup.
Just as the name suggests, the festival will take over Deansgate Mews – a hidden street nestled just above the city’s main thoroughfare, Deansgate – over the late May bank holiday weekend, and is completely free to attend.
Deansgate Mews Festival will celebrate all the eclectic independent food and drink businesses on the street.
Providing the sunshine shows its face, you’ll be able to pull up a pew and enjoy the finest wines, cocktails and sharing plates from The Mews, book a table with Another Hand, or dine out on impressive Thai dishes at Siam Smiles.
Sponsored by Manchester’s AO Arena, festival organisers say visitors should also expect to get stuck into a lively outdoor celebration of authentic grassroots music venues – with 40+ talented artists and creatives across four stages curated a number of renowned by live music venues, and recording and production studios in Manchester.
This year, there’s also a ‘Mini Mews Festival’ being added into the mix too.
Deansgate’s free three-day spring street festival is back at Great Northern Warehouse next month / Credit: Supplied
Taking place in Great Northern Warehouse‘s atrium space, and organised in partnership with Little Northerners, the Mini Mews Festival means families wanting to enjoy the all the festivities at the main event will also be able to entertain their children while they visit.
And in true Mancunian spirit, festival organisers will be collecting donations for Forever Manchester – the only charity that supports community groups and activity across Greater Manchester – over the three-day event.
Georgina Pellant -
4th October 2022 
