NQ64 - Gaming bar

[Ketchup]

NQ64 opened in Birmingham at the Custard factory yesterday. It’s filled with about 30 arcade machines and a bunch of consoles set up with ever drives. It sells cocktails and other alcohol. As it was the first night open, it was pretty packed but still easy to get on any machine you wanted with a short wait.

 

You play using tokens, 15 for £6 and machines take 1-2 tokens. Every machine we played had the difficult set fairly low as well which is a nice bonus. The consoles are free to play. Seeing as they keep opening more they must be doing pretty alright for themselves and I’ll certainly be going back again as a hang out spot.
 

Here’s some photos I took. 

 

 

 

[Sardan]

Looks great. I am keen to go. Will they let children in in the daytime?

[Lorfarius]

47 minutes ago, The Hierophant said:

Looks great. I am keen to go. Will they let children in in the daytime?

 

No, it's over 18's only:

 

https://nq64.co.uk/?page_id=567

 

"Over 18’s only. It was a tough decision, but in our opinion, it’s not very child friendly!"

[Sardan]

 

[ulala]

You play using tokens, 15 for £6 and machines take 1-2 tokens

 

I can't wait to play through final fight and it only cost me £50

 

 

[Skykid]

One of these opened in Newcastle a couple of weeks back, in the old Bierrex (used to be Popolo years back). There's a similar Laser Quest vibe to the photos above.

They've used the space well and have a good selection of machines. Some are emulation and have some pretty janky screen filter but I think Point Blank, Time Crisis, Crazy Taxi, Turtles and the like are authentic.

Drinks are expensive and price is higher - 15 tokens for £8, but consoles (surprisingly obviously hacked) are free and we had a great evening.

[Ketchup]

They’re expanding too, having just had a 2.5 mil injection of cash.

[Skykid]

I wouldn't have imagined it had the mileage, but there were plenty of youngsters and it was a very mixed crowd - all seemed to be enjoying themselves. I felt a bit funny paying ~50p for a go on something that was 10p in the 80s... is that in line with inflation? 😄

[LaveDisco]

Oooh. There’s one in soho. I’ll go to that. 

[bwi]

Also in Liverpool. Took the family (all over 18) and really enjoyed it.

[RipePlums]

Went to the one in Soho the other day and had a great time. It's small but they've got a load of original machines.

[LaveDisco]

23 minutes ago, RipePlums said:

Went to the one in Soho the other day and had a great time. It's small but they've got a load of original machines.

Great! Can't wait!

[Gabe]

That décor has given me a headache just from the pictures in the OP.

[Madjock]

I visited the Glasgow one last month, was strange on a Tuesday night at 7pm going past a bouncer, definitely more of a nightclub vibe going with it.
Got quite busy a few hours in, my table of late 30s/early 40th's did comment it was like being in a student union.

[Popo]

On 27/08/2022 at 11:01, RipePlums said:

Went to the one in Soho the other day and had a great time. It's small but they've got a load of original machines.

Come again? The Soho one is massive! I’ve been to the Soho one, Glasgow and Manchester (the original NQ64, in the Northern Quarter) and I really like them. Lots of good games, you get good mileage out of the tokens (they last roughly as long as a round of drinks, so you always seem to buy more when it’s time for another round) and I like the grungy vibe. 
 

I read they’re doing a major expansion - 11 new bars - and I’m slightly skeptical that the fashion for retro arcade games will really last, but every time I go there are groups of young people enthusiastically enjoying themselves, which is heartwarming in a way. I’m reliably informed that it’s part of a wider trend for drinking while doing something - like crazy golf or bowling - so maybe it does have legs.

 

I hope so, because having so many cool places to play lightgun and racing games in working sit-down cabinets is brilliant. They even have DDR, playing which is like riding a bike despite my last time being about 15 years ago!

 

The Soho and Glasgow bars also have Guitar Hero (the former being soundproofed) and consoles to play for free. They’re doing a bang up job. I want to see a Virtua Cop and Initial D cab next please!

[DScotty]

Wonder how long it will take them to accept crypto? 

Maybe PixelHub tokens first

in the 80s i didnt see myself drinking beer while playing space invaders, also i didnt see myself playing pixelhub retro games on my phone despite 3d gaming and cod etc.

 

these endless loop games do have an addiction level depending on your personalality, that street figher game would be interesting after a few beers :)

[Lorfarius]

I'd try and visit these types of places as soon as possible. With the crazy price hikes for power going on there's no telling when they might be forced to close, loads of local businesses in my area facing closure its that bad.

[Stoppy2000]

2 hours ago, Lorfarius said:

I'd try and visit these types of places as soon as possible. With the crazy price hikes for power going on there's no telling when they might be forced to close, loads of local businesses in my area facing closure its that bad.

Ah shit I honestly hadn't thought of that. Arcade Club must use an insane amount of electricity. I better get there ASAP. 

[LaveDisco]

Went here (soho) for some birthday drinks. 4 player outrun is a fucking delight to still exist.

 

Also 1 credited (or two credited as we did it in Co-op) Gunblade which is the first time I’ve beaten a real arcade machine that isn’t outrun. 
 

It got really busy, which is both a positive and a negative. Might be tempted for some weekday day drinking next time I’m on holiday…

[dvdx2]

On 05/02/2020 at 08:30, Lorfarius said:

 

No, it's over 18's only:

 

https://nq64.co.uk/?page_id=567

 

"Over 18’s only. It was a tough decision, but in our opinion, it’s not very child friendly!"

An arcade not child friendly? I spent most of my spare time from the ages of 9-16 in them, as I’m sure most of the older forum members did lol

 

i suppose the serving of alcohol makes a difference though

[bplus]

Any one know what the Edinburgh one is like?

[T Pot]

3 minutes ago, bplus said:

Any one know what the Edinburgh one is like?

 

Pretty good. I went in September. It has 4 player Outrun 2, Silent Scope, Guitar Hero, Crazy Taxi, DDR and shit loads more. Drinks are expensive but there's a Spoons next door if you want to tank up on cheap booze before or after.

[bplus]

10 hours ago, T Pot said:

 

Pretty good. I went in September. It has 4 player Outrun 2, Silent Scope, Guitar Hero, Crazy Taxi, DDR and shit loads more. Drinks are expensive but there's a Spoons next door if you want to tank up on cheap booze before or after.

4 player outrun! Amazing! I need to go