I visited National Pub & Bar winner NQ64 - and now it’s one of my favourite places in Newcastle

The winners of the National Pub & Bar Awards 2024 have now been announced, with a Newcastle favourite of mine taking the crown for Tyne and Wear. 

NQ64, which is a retro arcade bar, located on Pilgrim Street won the award for Tyne and Wear, and was joined by fellow North East venues; The Bay Horse in Darlington for Durham and The Crown in Humshaugh for Northumberland. 

The pubs and bars were selected based on best practice across several operational categories, highlighting the positive and inspiring work carried out across the hospitality industry.

After NQ64 opened its Newcastle location in 2022, it became an instant-hit among the bustling Newcastle nightlife, due to its unique selling point of being a gaming bar, as well as its incredible gaming-themed cocktails. 

I have since become a regular visitor of NQ64, which is now the proud winner of the prestigious National Pub & Bar award. 

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I first visited NQ64 when it first opened, and was instantly impressed by the venue and its offerings. 

As a big fan of retro games and cocktails, combining the two makes for my ideal night out on the town. 

The venue is dimly lit, with neon graffiti and retro gaming machines lighting up the space. When you enter, you feel as if you are being welcomed into a cosy gaming den. 

NQ64 has an exciting collection of retro games to play, with my favourites in the bar being Mario Kart, Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero. 

But there is certainly something for everyone, with games across a range of genres and decades in every single spot of the amazing venue.

While the games are played using tokens bought from the bar at an affordable price, they also have retro consoles which are free to use including the Game Cube, Xbox and Playstation 2. 

On my last visit, I thoroughly enjoyed playing Playstation 2 games such as WWE: Just Bring It and snowboarding racing game SSX, which were both gaming staples of my childhood. 

I have since brought along friends and family to NQ64, who have enjoyed the bar as much as I do. 

Although the bar's best asset is the games it has available to play, the friendly and helpful staff, fantastic music and exciting selection of cocktails and other beverages, help to shape the perfect package of an amazing, unique bar in Newcastle.