An arcade bar with a hip-hop play list and retro games will be bringing a new late-night atmosphere to the city centre this summer with everything from its playlist to its cocktail menu being matched to its throwback vibe.
Retro gaming specialist NQ64 is taking over the Pilgrim Street premises formerly occupied by Intermezzo to open its ninth UK venue and the city opening is especially near to the heart of the company's co-founder Matthew Robson. He said: “Being a born and bred Geordie, opening in Newcastle is particularly special for me - and my mum!
"I hope NQ64 will bring a different offering to the city. We specialise in retro gaming and combine it with a banging drinks selection with a backdrop of classic hip hop tunes." So think a "neon-splattered" drinking den - with spray-paint artwork covering the walls and a ceiling glowing under UV lights. - plus lots of old-school nostalgia appeal for party-goers who can enjoying gaming into the early hours.
Read more: What's new at The Hoppings for 2022
All will be revealed in the first week of August when the new NQ64 is set to launch and first customers will be able to discover a choice of original arcade games including Time Crisis, Dance Dance Revolution, Tekken, Guitar Hero and Pac-Man, along with pinball machines and classic consoles. All the games consoles will be free to play while tokens will be on sale at the bar for the retro arcades and pinballs.
There will be a bar area with stools, booths and space to dance or else to soak up what the company calls "the underground cool vibes" with NQ64's signature hip-hop and R&B playlist. There also will be DJs at the weekend and everything will match the retro feel of the games.
That extends to its drinks menu which will feature game-themed cocktails such as Kirby, Donkey Kolada and an Aku Aku Fruit Punch - which is inspired by Crash Bandicoot - alongside a selection of craft beers, wine, sodas, and spirits. Among the added attractions for gamers will be Mario Kart and Point Blank.
Newcastle's new NQ64 arcade, which will be an adults-only venue, follows on from bars the company has opened in Manchester - its first - plus London's Soho, Glasgow, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Liverpool, where the likes of games such as Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat plus classic consoles including SNES, MegaDrive, Gamecube and PlayStation are proving a hit.
Following its launch, it will be open from 4pm until 2am mid-week and from midday at weekends until 2am on Saturday and 1am on Sunday. The main bar will be available for walk-ins with bookable areas available for larger groups.
Read Next
