The much-anticipated opening of the Dallas, Texas chain Dave and Buster’s is finally here. Eschewing the obvious locations in Metairie and Elmwood, the popular arcade/sports bar built a home amid the high-rises of downtown New Orleans. D&B, in case you aren’t familiar, is geared toward thirty and forty-somethings, rather than teenagers and young adults. The bar program is fun and whimsical and the food is hearty and unhealthy, but you aren’t at Dave & Busters just to eat and drink. The 40,000 sq-ft venue is filled with oversized arcade games, giant flat screen TVs and several large rooms available for private parties. If you are thinking of dropping the kids off before a Pelicans game, think again. Minors under18 must be accompanied by an adult over 26, and after 8pm, D&B becomes a 21-and- over venue. With thegrowth of residential buildings in the South Market District and throughout the CBD, Dave and Busters is sure to be a popular place to hang out and watch the games.
Their proximity to the Superdome and Smoothie King Center ensure that they will be hopping during special events, but it will be interesting to see if they can also draw tourists from other parts of the city. Most arcade games range from $.75 to $1.50 and food prices run between $8 and $20. Wednesdays feature half price games. Open weekdays until midnight and 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Dave & Buster’s officially opens to the public on Monday, May 22