SideQuest Gamers Hub has announced it will permanently close three of its gaming cafés in the UK. The affected locations are SideQuest Elephant Park, SideQuest Coventry, and SideQuest Canterbury and the company has confirmed that all three venues will close on November 30th, 2025.

SideQuest’s closures come at a time when the gaming café industry in the UK is shifting. Belong by GAME, once a large chain of esports arenas located in or next to GAME retail shops, has almost disappeared. At its peak, it had about 23 locations, but many closed due to COVID lockdowns, the restructuring of GAME stores, and a move away from physical retail under Frasers Group management.

Despite these struggles, some gaming venues are still expanding. New Meta, a London-based esports and gaming café chain, has recently grown. Its original site in Islington features gaming PCs, next-gen consoles, private rooms, streaming setups, food, drinks, and regular esports events.

New Meta has now opened a second site in Milton Keynes, its first location outside London. The new venue offers the same full esports and gaming hub experience and its expansion shows that well-run gaming cafés can still succeed, even as others close.

Subscribe to our TER newsletters here! Including On The Radar a quick weekly wrap up of all esports business stories, and the fortnightly Heat Map, a deeper dive into the stories not to be missed across esports business and culture worldwide.

In a message to customers, the SideQuest said the closures were made “with an exceptionally heavy heart.” The company thanked visitors for their support over the years and said the cafés were more than places to play games. Staff described them as places where strangers met, became regulars, and even formed friendships.

The company also thanked its community for the energy, late nights, tournaments, and memories shared at each location. It added that while the cafés are closing, the memories will remain.

SideQuest began as an esports café brand called Wanyoo. Its first UK outlet opened in London’s Charing Cross in January 2019. It quickly became popular for its high-end gaming PCs, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch consoles, and a bubble tea bar.

SideQuest did not give a reason for the closures or say what would happen next for the brand. The announcement focused mainly on thanking customers rather than explaining why the decision was made.

Follow The Esports Radar on social media: