Eat, play, watch: Dave & Buster’s formula for fun-filled entertainment
When I learned that American entertainment chain Dave & Buster’s was going to open its first branch in the Philippines at Opus Mall, visions of Tron, The Last of Us, and Stranger Things came to my mind.
Though I’m not a video game player, this form of entertainment is such an ’80s thing, which is my era. They were as much a part of the culture as the Farrah Fawcett hair, shoulder pads, and a whole wave of music that’s still popular today.
Occupying 1,500 square meters on the third floor of Opus Mall in Bridgetowne, the arcade slash restaurant slash sports bar attracts you from afar with its happy blue and orange colors. Happy is, indeed, the mood, with loud ’80s dance music that makes you want to get up and groove. And you can, if you’re in the mood.
Or you can sit back, indulge in hearty servings of pure Americana—burgers, pizza, pasta, salad. They’ve wisely thrown in adobo-flavored bagnet, sisig and crispy pata for those who’d rather have those Pinoy flavors while watching sports events on massive screens.
The day we were there, the giant screens showed EJ Obiena and international pole vaulters competing at an event staged at Ayala Triangle. I never realized that pole vaulting was such a mesmerizing sport especially when hunks like EJ and those from the US, Poland, Turkey show off their athletic prowess and fine form.
We almost had to tear ourselves away from a yummy meal of burgers, Chicken Parma, Caesar salad and cheesecake to head to the arcade. There, my daughters Hannah and Tatin spent more than an hour battling dinosaurs, racing motorcycles, playing ice hockey and other fun games.
My attempt at Wicked Tuna proved that I have no talent whatsoever for these games, though I had a great deal of fun anyway. After failing to fully comprehend the instructions, I found myself fumbling with the reel while the game was commanding me to cast. “Cast, cast, cast!” it urged before finally casting itself, probably figuring out that the player was a moron. I did somehow manage to catch two fish (three if you count the one that got away because I forgot to reel it in). Meanwhile, my bunso walked by and asked me suspiciously if I knew what I was doing.
Video arcades like Dave & Buster’s are not just for people who lived through the ‘80s. It’s most definitely a Gen Z thing, as my bunso explained.
“During the pandemic, everything had to shift online, including social interactions. From hanging out with friends in malls, Gen Z had to find different ways to bond with their friends such as social media, virtual calls, and chat. But after a while, many of us experienced online fatigue and wanted to enjoy activities in real life,” she wisely observed.
My bunso, a marketing major, added, “Nostalgia has been a recurring theme in today’s pop culture. Everyone is inspired by the past. There’s the rise of ’80s songs in movie soundtracks and the use of ’90s songs in TikTok videos. There’s the comeback of Y2k fashion, no longer just used as Halloween costumes but which have become an everyday fashion aesthetic. In entertainment, there are famous shows like Stranger Things set in the ’80s, which feature arcades and roller skating as a form of bonding, and The Last of Us.
“Instead of going to two separate places for activities and meals, people can enjoy the joy and convenience of eat and play at Dave & Buster’s,” she said.
That’s exactly how Dave & Busters came about. Chief international development officer Antonio Bautista told me that 40 years ago, Dave owned a restaurant and across the street, Buster ran a video arcade. After watching their customers cross back and forth they met over drinks and decided to do something together. Flipping a coin, Dave’s name came out first. They now have 200 venues in North America and have begun expanding overseas.
Their local partner of choice is the Bistro Group, known for handling other world-class brands like Italianni’s, Fogo de Chao, Texas Roadhouse, Randy’s Donuts, Hard Rock Cafe and many more.
“We were impressed by Dave & Buster’s holistic offering in the entertainment world,” said Jean Paul Munuud, president of The Bistro group. “It is a very good concept that could pioneer well in the Philippines, being the first of its kind in the local landscape.”
Dave & Buster’s formula for fun includes having something for everyone, including video nerds like me. And providing a wholesome space where friends and family can connect—as my daughters and I did that day—is a priceless commodity in today’s era.
