Home to the most cutting-edge exhibitions and the hottest food spots in the UK, Manchester is the kind of city that has a bit of something for every taste. There is a lot of variety in terms of culture and let’s not forget it’s status as the home of prolific bands like Oasis and The Smiths. Whether you are on the lookout for a cool experience, a throwback to the 80s, or a cultural outing, Manchester has plenty to offer. If you have a free day to explore one of England’s most popular cities, but you are stuck for ideas, you can take a look at our cultural heritage hotspots and trendy venues suggestions.
The Nostalgic N64 Venue
Furnished in the style of retro arcades, N64 is one of the best venues in Manchester for those who are looking for a bit of fun on a day out. Featuring arcade machines like Pac Man and Space Invaders, as well as classic console games like Super Mario Bros and The Legend of Zelda, N64 is a true gaming wonderland. It’s sure to be a trip down a nostalgic rabbit hole for most visitors and has a quirky appeal that most modern establishments would struggle to emulate.
This is exemplified by the decor of the site, which is both trendy and faithful to the retro theme. Located in a large basement, N64 has been painted by local artist Qubek in glowing neon graffiti that glows under UV lights.
A lot of N64s appeal is in the fact it rekindles people’s love of traditional arcade gaming. After all, in this day and age, most people will probably be familiar with slot games and other classic table games such as poker solely through online gaming. Up-and-coming generations probably won’t even be acquainted with the concept of real-life arcade machines or brick-and-mortar establishments like casinos or arcades, because all the products they provide are easily accessible on the internet. Obviously, the ease of access to online slot sites can’t be disputed, but the advantage to N64 and other venues like it is that slot reels can be played in the way they were originally designed to be used. You never know, they may just come back into vogue.
The All in One Printworks
Manchester’s biggest entertainment centre, Printworks, caters to most demographics. Located in the heart of the city, there is no way you can miss this venue’s aesthetics once you walk past it. Before being turned into a buzzing complex, known for its state of the art Vue cinema and 16 bars and restaurants, the building used to house a publishing company. That is not all though, because Printworks also boasts a busy events calendar throughout the year.
One of the venue’s best-kept secrets, however, remains its roof garden that is home to four beehives, a beetle hotel, an allotment patch, and a hydroponics unit. If you plan to visit it in 2022, then you should know that his iconic venue is planning on becoming even better! Recently it has received planning permission to refurbish some of its areas, therefore, it will include an interactive screen that will be used for social gaming and Europe’s largest indoor digital ceiling.
The Crystal Maze Experience
Designed after a popular 90s British game show called The Crystal Maze, the Crystal Maze Live Experience makes for a thrilling adventure on a day out with friends. Whether you are familiar with the show or not, this will be an experience hard to forget. So what exactly happens there? First of all, you will form a team with which you need to reach the end goal of this experience: to crack the challenges the maze has in store for you.
The venue is separated into four different zones, each with its own roles and challenges. For example, some challenges will include mental work, like solving puzzles or maths problems, while others will be more physical and you will have to run and lift objects. Your task is to solve as many as you can and pick up Crystals along the way. If a day pumped with adrenaline is what you are after, then Crystal Maze is the experience you are seeking.
Visitors to this culturally rich city have plenty of opportunities to relax or go on an adventure. There is always something happening in Manchester throughout the year, so you’d be unlikely to find yourself bored and meandering aimlessly.
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