Dave & Buster’s is taking its large-format arcade and entertainment venues in a new direction with a redesigned “Store of the Future” concept. After testing the format at the Friendswood, TX location last year, the company planned to introduce it at selected venues, beginning with Dallas on 9 February 2024.
A new format for arcade entertainment
The Dallas venue at 9450 North Central Expressway was rebuilt around a broader mix of food, sport and social gaming. Its updated design includes interactive viewing areas, reservable Social Bays and a new attraction called The Arena.
The Social Bays offer private spaces for two to six players, with digitally enhanced darts and shuffleboard. The darts installation appears similar to Sega Amusements’ SMARTS Darts system, although the announcement does not formally identify the hardware.
What is The Arena?
The Arena is described as an exclusive Dave & Buster’s experience built around a transparent, wall-to-wall gaming environment. It supports up to eight players and uses tracking technology, immersive media, audio and tactile effects across games designed to challenge participants mentally and physically.
The available information does not confirm that The Arena is a free-roam virtual reality attraction, and no action image was supplied. For a limited period, sessions were announced at $5 per person. Its technology and format should become clearer once guests begin using it.
Inside the reimagined Dallas venue
The refreshed venue combines a large arcade with food, drinks and live sport. Its announced features include:
- Interactive Social Bays: Private Social Darts Bays and Social Shuffleboard Bays bring digital features to familiar games and can be reserved for groups of two to six.
- Immersive Watch: A 40-foot screen, surround sound and dozens of additional oversized televisions create a dedicated sports-viewing environment. A VIP Watch Room is also available for private events.
- Self-serve beer wall: The TapZone, located inside the midway, offers more than 20 local and speciality craft beers on tap.
- Reworked menu: The craft kitchen received a new chef-designed menu with shareable options intended for different tastes and lifestyles.
- Updated store design: The interior and exterior were redesigned as a brighter, technology-focused destination built around eating, drinking, playing and watching.
- Midway and prizes: More than 120 games, virtual reality attractions and prizes remain part of the venue’s core offering.
For readers comparing commercial entertainment with a home setup, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide covers the practical differences between venue attractions and domestic cabinets. Dedicated racing arcades and virtual pinball machines offer very different play experiences from a general midway.
Opening weekend promotions
The first 200 people in line for the 9 February grand opening were announced to receive free games for one year, subject to terms and conditions. Doors were scheduled to open at 11 a.m., with the promotion intended to attract an early queue.
The opening weekend also included the Dallas Mavericks mascot Champ and its street team at the Friday ribbon-cutting ceremony. Drone shows were scheduled for Friday 9 February and Saturday 10 February from 6:30 p.m. A partnership with True Brvnd would bring exclusive D&B Upside Down Dallas hats to the WIN Circle for redemption while stocks lasted.
For Big Game 58 on Sunday 11 February, the venue announced a $58 package combining unlimited gameplay and food, alongside prize giveaways. Regular promotions included $5 Happy Hour from Monday to Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., covering selected drinks such as Tres Tequila Rita, 22 oz domestic drafts, wine, Backwoods Blueberry Lemonade and D&B Long Island Iced Tea. Military members and first responders could receive 15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages with valid identification.
Location, hours and company background
Dave & Buster’s Dallas is at 9450 North Central Expressway. The announced hours were Sunday 10 a.m. to midnight; Monday and Tuesday 11 a.m. to midnight; Wednesday to Friday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Further company information was available at www.daveandbusters.com.
“We can’t wait to reveal this Dave & Buster’s as a Dallas entertainment destination during the big game weekend,” said General Manager Garrett Chimarys. He highlighted the 40-foot WOW Wall, The Arena and the new Social Darts and Social Shuffleboard Bays, adding that guests would need to experience the transformation in person.
Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Coppell, Texas, Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. operated 220 venues across North America through the Dave & Buster’s and Main Event brands. The company reported 162 Dave & Buster’s locations in 42 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, plus 58 Main Event venues in 20 states. Main Event locations offer bowling, laser tag, arcade games and virtual reality, while Dave & Buster’s venues combine dining, drinks, arcade attractions and televised sport.
For more arcade-industry coverage, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog, or browse upright arcades for a more traditional cabinet format.
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