Manchester isn’t just about football and music. The city has quietly become a solid destination for gaming fans who want more than just pressing buttons at home. The city’s packed with arcade halls, casinos, and everything in between. Whether you’re chasing that nostalgic buzz or looking to try your luck with real money, there’s plenty to choose from.
1. Arcade Club (Bury)
Just outside Manchester proper sits the biggest arcade in Europe. Arcade Club spans multiple floors and packs over 300 machines into a converted mill. The entry fee gets you access to everything: classic Pac-Man, modern fighters, pinball tables, and console setups. It’s the sort of place where you can lose hours without realizing it.
You’ll see families with kids during the day, then proper gamers turn up for competitions. The food and drinks won’t break the bank either, which is handy if you’re there for hours. Definitely worth heading out of town for, particularly with mates.
2. NQ64 (Northern Quarter and Peter Street)
Two locations, same concept, cocktails meet arcade games in dimly lit spaces that ooze neon-soaked nostalgia. NQ64 started in Manchester and has since spread across the UK. The venues combine classic arcade cabinets with gaming consoles and themed drinks.
The Northern Quarter spot tends to get busier on weekends, but both locations have that perfect balance of gaming and socializing. Pizza from Crazy Pedro’s rounds out the experience if you’re staying for more than just a quick game.
3. Manchester235 Casino
For those who want Vegas-style gaming without the transatlantic flight, Manchester235 delivers. Located in the Great Northern Warehouse, this 24/7 casino goes beyond just gambling. James Martin’s restaurant provides proper dining, while multiple bars cater to different moods. The gaming floor has everything from slots to poker tables.
Live sports on big screens and regular entertainment events make it more than just a place to bet. The venue hosts cocktail-making classes and blackjack lessons for beginners, too.
For players who prefer the convenience of gambling from home, there are also gambling sites not on GamStop that provide alternative casino experiences (source: gamblingsitesnotongamstopuk.com). Although you won’t be able to enjoy the excellent dining options and classes, you can still order a takeaway and check out some online tutorials to learn the basics of the games before playing to make a fun evening of it.
4. DNA VR (City Centre)
Virtual reality gaming has found its home at DNA VR. This isn’t your typical arcade experience; it’s proper social VR with up to 8 players working together. Fight zombies, explore alien worlds, or take on the Walking Dead hordes in warehouse-scale gaming areas.
The VR setup is seriously good stuff. You get an hour per session, which is perfect because it’s long enough to forget you’re wearing a headset but not so long that you get dizzy. Groups of friends will find this more engaging than traditional gaming venues.
5. Napoleons Casino Manchester
Portland Street hosts this more intimate casino experience. Napoleons is all about table games and that classic casino vibe. The restaurant sits above the gaming floor, and you can get cocktails until half past five in the morning every day.
The “Dine in Style” package includes a welcome drink, a three-course meal, and £5 bet to get you started. It’s smaller than Manchester235 but has that classic casino feel that some prefer over the Vegas-style approach.
6. Namco Funscape (Trafford Centre)
This massive entertainment complex brings together bowling, dodgems, and over 150 video games under one roof. Namco Funscape has been a Manchester staple for years, offering something for every age group. The arcade takes up loads of space with everything from claw machines to racing games and modern stuff.
It’s one of those places that makes you feel like a kid again while keeping real kids busy for hours. Plus, there are posh bowling lanes if you want to treat yourselves.
7. Dog Bowl Manchester
This venue combines bowling with serious arcade gaming in a casual setting. Dog Bowl offers five proper bowling lanes plus an extensive collection of arcade machines that you can access for free just by buying a drink. The arcade section includes a 3D version of Pac-Man and live console gaming with PS5 and Xbox Series X setups. The food menu focuses on American-style offerings with quality hot dogs and burgers.
They run great deals too: weekdays offer a burger, pint, and game for £11 until 5 pm, while weekends feature bottomless options. It’s the perfect spot when you can’t decide between bowling and arcade gaming.
Whether you need a quick gaming fix on your lunch break or want to spend the whole evening out, Manchester’s got plenty of options. The city mixes old school arcade stuff with modern setups, so there’s something for everyone without all the venues getting packed.
