In case you somehow missed it, even in all of its beaming neon and futuristic glory, Pixel Bar Manchester has recently undergone some serious renovations and we’re not just talking a lick of paint – this is a proper next-gen upgrade if we’ve ever seen one.
One of the city centre’s best activity spots and go-to hubs for gamers, specifically, Pixel Bar has been impressing Manc players since 2021, when it took over the old Bar 21 site – one we were sad to say goodbye to at first.
But in the few short years that we’ve had the pleasure of picking up pads at this place, we’ve slowly managed to get over it and now we’re just as madly in love with the gaming gaff as we were its predecessor.
The bar itself was already pretty engaging to begin with but after more than a few tweaks to the overall hardware and a major refitting downstairs, its videogame offerings are bigger and better than ever.
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Let’s start with the first thing that hits you as you come in: those brilliant booths, complete with large LED screens, access to various different kinds of consoles and all manner of titles, all from the comfort of the plush padded seating.
Not only are these ideal for group bookings and parties, as they’re roomy enough to seat plenty of you, but you can also order a wide array of gaming-themed food and drink – still displayed within a cute little disc (cute) directly to your table.
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You essentially never need to get up and take a break from playing beyond nipping to the loo.
There are, of course, your classic arcade machines dotted around the main floor as well as downstairs if you prefer old-school.
Credit: The Manc Group
Speaking of downstairs…
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Now, this is where the levelling up gets seriously silly as not only have they transformed Bar 21’s old basement room into a shiny new large seating area, perfect for private hires, large groups or just a quieter room out back away from the bustle upstairs.
However, wander even further into the belly of this brilliant gaming venue’s lair and you’ll find there more than a few beasts waiting for you – in a good way.
Part of the former club room has now been turned into a hardcore gamer’s arena with a fully decked-out PC den and some extremely impressive rigs lining the walls.
Credit: The Manc
Boasting Razer keyboards, headsets and mice to boot, this has everything you need to host a proper old-school LAN party or for the esports hopefuls amongst you (and Manchester’s scene is growing fast, believe us), host competitive online tournaments.
Honestly, these guys are taking this stuff as seriously as you’d like them to; pull back a curtain plastered with UltaGear and Riot Games Play Club branding and you’ll even find a dedicated casting booth should you want some to commentate a live event or run a properly presented livestream.
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We don’t need to go into the exact specs of what you’ll find down here as we could be here forever but let’s just say you won’t go wanting for much.
God knows how much Pixel Bar pumped into this major refurb of their Manchester site, all we know is we’re impressed and we’ll be coming back here very soon.
Steve Backshall to stop off in Manchester as he takes iconic kids’ show Deadly 60 on first UK live tour
Emily Sergeant
One of the most iconic children’s TV shows of the 2010s is becoming a new stage show set to tour the UK.
Deadly 60 is a BBC and CBBC factual entertainment programme that first began back in 2009, where presenter and British naturalist and explorer, Steve Backshall, travels to different parts of the world in order to find the 60 most deadly animals living on the planet.
The show has run for five series now, with the most recent airing in 2024, and has got young people in their thousands invested in wildlife.
And now, a thrilling new live entertainment adventure inspired by the show is coming to UK arenas this October – including an all-important stop off here in Manchester.
Steve Backshall is taking Deadly 60 on a UK live tour later this year / Credit: Supplied
Deadly Live! is gearing up to be an ‘action-packed, edge of your seat experience’ based on the hugely-popular franchise Deadly, with BAFTA award-winning Backshall at the helm, and will be visiting 10 major UK arenas during the October half term.
Audiences are being invited to join Steve Backshall on an unforgettable journey as he tracks some of the world’s most formidable predators – from big cats and birds of prey, to Dinomania dinosaurs, snakes, and many more.
With daring stunts, mind-blowing experiments, and cutting-edge science, this thrilling live show takes fans across land, sky, and sea in a truly-unique wildlife spectacle.
The Deadly Live! tour is kicking off in Newcastle on Friday 24 October, and will be arriving in Manchester and taking to the legendary AO Arena stage on Wednesday 29 October.
“I’m thrilled to be bringing Deadly Live! to arenas across the UK later this year for the very first time,” commented Steve Backshall as the UK tour was announced. “We’ve got some amazing stunts and incredible experiments planned for this new supersized show for all the family, as we explore animals from 600 million years ago right through to modern day.”
Tickets for the show will go on sale on Thursday 10 April at 10am here.
Featured Image – BBC
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AO Arena announces ‘In Conversation’ event with Luke Una
Thomas Melia
Much loved DJ and musical artist Luke Una is the latest act appearing at the AO Arena as part of their ‘In Conversation’ event taking place in Manchester later this year.
Luke Cowdrey, known more commonly under the name Luke Una, makes up one half of the unforgettable DJ duo, The Unabombers, who were widely respected in the Manchester club scene.
Known for his involvement in pivotal club movements like Homobloc and E Soul Cultura, he certainly knows how to live it large.
Una’s music helped define the underground scene in Manchester during the 1980s and 90s alongside The Unabombers bandmate, Justin Crawford.
The two were known for producing music in the Northern Sulphuric Soul genre and even ran a legendary club night titled ‘Electric Chair’.
Their music tended to blend lots of different sounds from across the globe, including Latin, hip-hop, disco, house and more.
Now, Una is ditching the decks for a mellower event focused all around his music, where he will be sharing stories that have taken place over the course of his expansive four-decade-long career.
All the talks taking place at AO Arena will be hosted by none other than BBC 6 Music presenter Chris Hawkins known for his work regularly hosting an early morning radio show and also documentaries too.
Una isn’t the only guest who will be talking all things career and Northern music, The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess is also taking part in the AO Arena’s newest talk series ‘Live And In Conversation’ set to take place this month.
The adored DJ is taking to the incredible Manchester venue on 18 May from 6pm to 10:30pm, giving guests plenty of opportunities to learn all about his artistry and skill.
Luke Una is sitting down with Chris Hawkins for AO Arena’s ‘Live And In Conversation’ series, with tickets going on sale HERE.
Danny Jones -
4th February 2025 
