I’ve always dreamed of visiting a city that feels like a secret level in a game – full of hidden bosses, neon surprises, and rare loot.
When I heard that Baku, Azerbaijan, was becoming a hub for gaming cafés, e-sports, and quirky comic stores, I knew I’d found my next quest.
To crank up the challenge, I set one strict rule: no cards allowed – just a stash of Azerbaijani manat and my inner gamer instincts.
Spawn point: Arriving with nothing but manat
Before leaving London, I stocked up on Azerbaijani currency through Manor FX.
The notes arrived like a perfectly packed starter inventory.
Touching down at Heydar Aliyev International Airport felt like loading into an open-world map with my gold already in hand.
While others queued at airport ATMs, I hopped on the airport bus with exact change. Instant fast-travel.
Side quest one: Arcade alleys and retro cabinets
Baku’s Old City hides a string of retro gaming cafés that could have been lifted straight from an 8-bit platformer.
I spent hours at Pixel Mania, hammering away at Street Fighter II and Pac-Man machines that only accepted coins.
The best part? The old-school feel matched my cash-only mission. No card readers buzzing, no QR codes, just tokens and the satisfying clink of manat coins.
Side quest two: E-sports cafés and VR arenas
Next, I tackled the modern side of the city. Respawn E-Sports Lounge runs all-night LAN parties and VR tournaments.
Here, cash payments earned me instant credibility. “Respect,” one gamer said when I dropped exact notes for my all-night pass. “Like a true speedrunner.”
It felt like an achievement unlocked: “Real World Player – Complete a Major Event with Only Cash.”
Collectibles and comics: Merch worth every manat
Baku has its own micro comic scene. I tracked down Retro Comics Baku, a small store hidden behind the bustling Fountain Square.
Limited-run prints, rare figurines, and local fantasy art lined the shelves.
Many independent artists only take cash -it keeps their costs down and helps them avoid extra fees.
Every manat I handed over felt like trading in-game currency for unique DLC.
Managing the real-life health bar
Travelling cash-first isn’t just about nostalgia – it’s a smart strategy.
Here’s how I kept my trip running on full HP:
- Daily budget: I kept a “mana bar” of manat for each day.
- Split stash: Main wallet for daily use, secret pouch for emergencies.
- Exact change: Essential for buses, markets, and quick snack respawns.
This system worked better than any in-game inventory management I’ve ever tried.
Hidden bosses: Cash-only surprises
Despite Azerbaijan’s growing tech scene, plenty of places still run on cash.
The night markets around Nizami Street, late-night kebab joints, and impromptu board game tournaments often have no card facilities.
Far from a limitation, it added thrill to my journey – like finding unexpected secret rooms.
Final boss: Flame Towers at midnight
My ultimate mission was to watch the Flame Towers light show, Baku’s iconic skyline spectacle.
Standing on the Caspian waterfront, I spent my last few manat on hot tea and a slice of baklava. The towers lit up like a final cutscene – fiery reds, pixel blues, pure magic.
Game complete.
Why this quest was worth it
Travelling with only cash made me more present. Instead of scanning cards on autopilot, I connected with people – whether swapping arcade strategies or learning a few Azerbaijani phrases at a night market.
Cash slowed me down in the best way, turning every purchase into an interaction.
