Soho residents gain new two‑storey arcade bar with 60 games
NQ64's latest venue on Manette Street offers UV‑lit pool tables, augmented‑reality darts and a cocktail menu inspired by gaming culture, according to the operator.
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Trust score reflects named co‑founder source, Vevo study citation, specific location and figures, but only one outlet.
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Critic score high for clear facts and quote, but article reads like a press release, lacking next steps.
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Hype moderate; promotional tone and buzzwords but no exaggerated claims beyond the opening announcement.
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NQ64 announced the launch of a new arcade bar on Manette Street in Soho, according to a report by This Is Local London. The site, known as Orange Yard, now hosts more than sixty arcade machines spread over two levels. The opening adds a sizeable entertainment option to the Westminster neighbourhood.
Venue layout and attractions
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The two‑storey space combines classic cabinets such as Guitar Hero and PAC‑MAN Battle Royale with newer titles like Mario Kart Arcade GP. In addition to the games, the bar installed pool tables that glow under ultraviolet light and a darts system that overlays digital targets on the board. Two separate cocktail bars serve drinks named after video‑game references, including a Quick Revive No.5 and a GTA Spice City.
We started NQ64 in the Northern Quarter with a simple idea: put the games we loved into a bar we’d actually want to spend the night in.
Andy Haygarth, co‑founder
Haygarth explained that the Orange Yard location is the largest version of the concept the company has built. He added that the inclusion of pool and darts marks the first time these activities appear in a NQ64 venue. The operator described the interior as a neon‑lit blend of arcade culture, hip‑hop beats and graffiti art.
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Cultural relevance for younger visitors
The bar’s aesthetic draws heavily on the 1990s and early 2000s, a period that many younger patrons have never lived through. This Is Local London cited Vevo’s 2026 Then is Now study, which found that 65 per cent of Gen Z experience what the study calls “borrowed nostalgia” for cultural eras they did not experience directly. The venue’s décor and drink menu aim to tap into that sentiment.
What residents can expect next
The bar is now open to the public and operates nightly. Residents who wish to attend can book tables through the venue’s website or walk in during opening hours. No licensing or planning objections have been reported, and the council has not issued further statements on the development.
Questions this report answers
+How many arcade games does the new Soho venue have?
The venue houses more than sixty arcade machines across two floors, as reported by This Is Local London. The large selection includes both classic and modern titles, providing a broad range of gaming experiences for visitors.
+What new features does the bar offer beyond arcade machines?
In addition to the games, the bar includes ultraviolet‑lit pool tables and an augmented‑reality darts system. It also runs two cocktail bars that serve drinks themed around video‑game culture, expanding the entertainment options for guests.
+What does the Vevo study say about Gen Z and nostalgia?
The Vevo 2026 Then is Now study reported that 65 per cent of Gen Z experience borrowed nostalgia for cultural periods they did not live through, such as the 1990s and early 2000s. The new arcade bar’s design deliberately taps into that sentiment.
+Who is responsible for the new arcade bar and what did they say about it?
NQ64, co‑founded by Andy Haygarth, opened the venue. Haygarth said the project represents the biggest version of the brand’s concept and highlighted the addition of pool and darts as a first for NQ64 locations.
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