I’ve just got back from the opening of a new retro arcade games bar in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Four Quarters’ Tyneside retro gaming bar launch night was huge fun, with free drinks, free credits, and probably too much Guitar Hero Arcade.
While there, I had the chance to speak to Four Quarters co-founder Marc Jones. He was happy to share some technical information about the machines in his Newcastle arcade bar, informing me the machines run on original boards, with no emulation. I also had the chance to play a few games. Some of these I was familiar with, but some were completely new.
What is a retro game bar?
One of the fastest growing trends in hospitality, retro gaming bars are popping up in Britain’s main cities. So, what would you expect to find in a retro gaming bar? Well, classic games, arcades, and even consoles. Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Star Wars (a 40 year old game close to my heart) and others from the early years, plus plenty of ride-on racing games, “light gun” shooters, and much more.
I was able to share some videos of this Newcastle video game bar on the @gamingretroUK Twitter account.
Arriving early to grab some snaps, I was given a few quarters to put in the machines. (There may have been free drinks, I couldn’t really say…)
On my playlist: Star Wars Trilogy, SEGA Rally, Guitar Hero Arcade, and Mortal Kombat on the Mega Drive. There was also a game I’d never even seen before, Super Gem Fighter (a jewel game/Street Fighter combination). Along with the arcade machines (some were off-limits, pending decoration) Four Quarters’ Newcastle arcade bar also boasts home consoles. Aside from the aforementioned SEGA Mega Drive, I spotted a Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo GameCube.
And I probably missed a few.
Consoles are grouped in booths, where they’re locked away between changing discs or carts. Authentic controllers (in good condition) are also provided. Booths can be booked for long sessions, and Four Quarters offer party hire as well.
Overall, this Newcastle gaming bar is a great destination. Whether you want to play alone or book it for parties, it’s situated in one of the most bustling, popular cities in Europe.
What’s not to like?
If you want to learn more about their retro games bars beyond Newcastle, head to the Four Quarters website.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
