Manchester’s underground arcade bar NQ64 is gearing up to open another city centre venue this month, and there’s an unmissable competition giveaway to celebrate.
If retro gaming, classic consoles, and craft beer are up your street – we’ve got a treat for you.
Ahead of the opening of the second location of the iconic “neon-splattered drinking den full of retro arcade games and classic consoles” on Peter Street next week – which will take over the old Club LIV site next door to Albert’s Schloss – The Manc has teamed up with NQ64 to give away some seriously impressive prizes.
NQ64 Peter Street is a “levelled up” version of the original venue – which has been luring gamers into the Northern Quarter since 2019.
Containing all the bar’s hallmarks of neon lighting, retro art, classic consoles and more, the site will also boast a bigger bar area, more seating and a variety of new arcade machines.
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Accompanying 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, and NQ64 Peter Street will utilise the same ‘token system’ in which users swap cash for game tokens to play.
MegaDrive, PlayStations, GameCube and Super Nintendo consoles will all be free to use.
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A new themed cocktail list featuring NQ64 classics such as Princess Peach, Bubble Bobble and Pacs a Punch will also be available too.
NQ64’s Peter Street venue is a “levelled up” version of the original venue / Credit: NQ64
It’s definitely as cause for celebration – and there’s no better way than with a giveaway.
The competition – which has been exclusively launched with NQ64 on The Manc’s Instagram (@the.manc) – will see the lucky winner take home 3x classic consoles (GameBoy, MegaDrive, Gamecube) WITH games, some NQ64 merch and an NQ64 Black Card (unlimited tokens for a year), alongside a whopping £250 bar tab and some goodies Hooch.
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That’s not all either, as there’s some cracking prizes for two runners-up too, who will also get their hands on some NQ64 merch, an NQ64 Black Card, a £250 bar tab and their own supply of Hooch to accompany.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CP_MxF0o2zH/
Fancy it then?
To be in with a chance of winning, all you’ll need to do is follow these four simple steps:
Then make sure to also follow @nq64mcr on Instagram too.
Tag as many mates as you like on the post, one comment = one entry.
Share the competition post on The Manc to your Instagram story for bonus entries, and make sure you tag @the.manc so we see it.
The competition has already received a massive amount of attention since first being launched, but there’s still plenty of time to get your entries in before NQ64 Peter Street opens its doors on 21 June.
The winners will be announced via DM from The Manc’s official verified Instagram account only.
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The Manc is already aware of a number of fake Instagram accounts which have been created in our name with the intention to scam competition entrants, so we urge you to remain vigilant and never provide your personal details / information to anyone.
You can find more information and get your entries in here.
Featured Image – The Manc
Gigs & Nightlife
World-renowned rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd announce HUGE Manchester anniversary gig
Thomas Melia
Legendary Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd are returning to Manchester for a limited UK tour at one city’s foremost venues.
Six years since their last visit, we’re sure they’ve missed ‘That Smell’ of a Manchester crowd and it’s safe to say safe we’ve missed them too.
Known for our love of live music and gigs, there’s no better place to stop off at other than Manchester when you’re playing a world tour, especially celebrating the 50th anniversary of the band’s formation.
Their name needs no introduction, however, if you need a reminder of this band’s remarkable career then ‘Don’t Ask Me No Questions’.
Just kidding, the well-seasoned country and blues veterans from Jacksonville, Flordia are one of the most acclaimed acts to ever come out of the US; in 2006 they received one of the biggest honours any artist could wish for, getting inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame.
With 14 official studio albums, several EPs and numerous live recordings, there are definitely more than enough songs to pack into one unforgettable night.
As one of just four dates here in England, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Manchester tour show is taking place at none other than the AO Arena, which has also reached a milestone in 2025 as they celebrate 30 years of unbelievable gigs. What better way to party than with a good ol’ fashioned rock show?
They won’t be travelling solo either, they’re also bringing Georgia-based rockers Blackberry Smoke as a support act, notable for their 2012 single ‘One Horse Town’ along with many others.
Rockin’ it out like they always do, bring on Manchester. That iconic Lynyrd logo will look immense in AO Arena this year.Credit: Supplied
They’ve chosen the right venue to belt the hits too and, ironically, they’ve chosen a Tuesday for their Manchester date, meaning you’ll be able to walk out of the concert singing ‘Tuesday’s Gone’ with more conviction than ever.
One thing is for sure, with a legacy as big as this, the rockers are guaranteed to have a great time. There might not be any founding members left following the passing of guitarist and songwriter Gary Rossington in 2023, but you can bet the current lineup will do the originals justice and then some.
Lynyrd Skynyrd visit the AO Arena in Manchester on Tuesday 15 July 2025 with tickets going on sale from Friday 24 January at 10am. You can grab yours HERE.
Busted and Rag ‘n’ Bone Man added to huge music series line-up in Delamere Forest
Thomas Melia
Pop-punk band Busted and pop/soul singer Rag ‘N’ Bone Man are the latest acts announced to headline a music-filled forest a short drive from Greater Manchester.
The new names have been added to the huge Forest Live 2025 gig series, which takes place at Delamere Forest as well as four other unique outdoor locations across the country.
In a setting that’s mostly greenery and acres of trees, one voice is guaranteed to travel through the dense landscape of the forest, and that’s Rag ‘N’ Bone Man.
Joining the bill with the impressive soloist is boyband and still-to-this-day heartthrobs Busted who are visiting AO Arena this year as well, for those who aren’t such big fans of the festival scene.
Busted have had worldwide and national acclaim soundtracking the early noughties by transporting people a thousand years into the future with ‘Year 3000’ and educating us on ‘What I Go To School For’.
Rag ‘N’ Bone Man has his fair share of chart topping too with notable songs like the hard-hitting drum-heavy ‘Human’ to the Calvin Harris link-up ‘Giant’ which is a flurry of flamboyant horns and EDM beats.
You could be like these lucky gig-goers, front row in Delamere Forest.Raise a glass to your favourite band at Forest Live 2025.Bringing music and green spaces together, Delamere Forest, Cheshire.Credit: Supplied
Stockport five-piece Blossoms will also be headlining and they might be bringing their latest member Gary, the infamous eight foot gorilla, on stage with them too.
There’s another Gary on the bill too, with Gary Barlow set to play in June.
Dundee legends Snow Patrol are another of the acts who are set to play at Forest Live this summer.
Situated in Cheshire, Delamere Forest has been hosting events and shows as part of ‘Forest Live’ in partnership with lots of other unique green spaces like Sherwood Forest and Cannock Chase Forest too.
This initiative is set to drive more people into these natural environments that they maybe wouldn’t visit if it wasn’t for the music and make them realise how brilliant these grounds truly are.
Rag ‘N’ Bone Man is headlining on Sunday 15 June while Busted are set to headline on Thursday 19 June, both events are taking place at Delamere Forest as part of Forest Live 2025, with tickets HERE.
Forest Live 2025 at Delamere Forest line-up
13 June – Snow Patrol
14 June – Gary Barlow
15 June – Rag n Bone Man
19 June – Busted (with Twin Atlantic and SOAP)
21 June – Blossoms (with Seb Lowe and The Guest List)
Emily Sergeant -
14th June 2021 
