21 Places Like Dave And Busters For You To Have Fun
If you love the classic Dave & Buster’s experience of tasty food, drinks, and arcade games, but want to switch it up, you have options! Dave & Busters pioneered the “eatertainment” model, combining dining and entertainment into one venue. While they may be the biggest national chain, many alternatives now offer comparable experiences.
In this article, we’ll compare the top 21 alternatives to Dave & Busters for places to eat, drink, play games, and have fun. We’ll cover direct competitors like Main Event, as well as options by region and for adults. Read on to find your new favorite destination!
Introduction
Dave and Buster’s is a popular chain of entertainment centers featuring arcade games, sports bar staples, and other attractions. But if you’re looking for some alternatives, plenty of other options exist. This article will highlight 21 places like Dave and Busters that offer unique features, locations across the country, and fun for all ages.
List of Alternatives to Dave and Busters
Here is a detailed look at the top 21 alternatives to Dave & Buster’s, including what makes each one unique:
- Main Event Entertainment
- Round1 Bowling & Amusement
- Punch Bowl Social
- Laser Bounce
- Chuck E. Cheese
- Lucky Strike
- Bowlero
- Bowlmor Chamblee
- The One Up Family Arcade LA
- Playdium
- TopGolf
- Safe House
- Oasis Family Fun Center
- GameWorks
- Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
- Scene75 Entertainment Center
- Barcade
- The Night Game Houston
- The Rec Room
- Frankie’s Fun Park
- Stars and Strikes
1. Main Event Entertainment
A chain of family entertainment centers featuring bowling, laser tag, gravity ropes courses, arcade games, and casual dining. Main Event aims to provide a full day of activities and fun for all ages under one roof. (Locations across the U.S.)
Website Link: https://www.mainevent.com/
2. Round1 Bowling & Amusement
An import from Japan, Round1 offers a modern take on entertainment centers with neon-lit bowling alleys, karaoke rooms, arcades, billiards, darts, and ping pong. More games-focused than Dave & Buster’s. (Major cities in CA, TX, MA)
Website Link: https://www.round1usa.com/
3. Punch Bowl Social
This “eatertainment” concept combines a scratch kitchen, craft cocktails, and an extensive vintage arcade/table game collection into one sophisticated environment. Punch Bowl aims to foster social connections in an adult-first atmosphere. (Major cities in VA, TX, IL, IN, CA)
Website Link: https://punchbowlsocial.com/
4. Laser Bounce
An indoor playground mecca focused on physical, high-energy activities like laser tag arenas, wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, and huge bounce houses. Catering more to kids’ active fun. (Family venues in Houston, Indianapolis, San Antonio)
Website Link: https://laserbounce.com/
5. Chuck E. Cheese
The iconic pizza parlor chains offer family-friendly games, rides, animated shows, and of course pizza and snacks. Designed specifically with younger kids in mind. (Locations nationwide)
Website Link: https://www.chuckecheese.com/
6. Lucky Strike
These upscale, retro-inspired bowling alleys combine modern lanes with full-service bars, lounges for billiards and karaoke, dance floors, and casual American dining. A trendy nightlife option for Date Nights and groups. (Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, LA)
Website Link: https://luckystrikeent.com/
7. Bowlero
Bowling-centric entertainment centers furnished with sleek lounge areas, arcades, backlit lanes, upscale bar service, as well as modern activities like axe throwing and hi-tech arcade games. More millennial nightlife vibe. (Nationwide)
Website Link: https://www.bowlero.com/
8. Bowlmor Chamblee
Retaining a nostalgic, 60s-inspired style, this Atlanta-area bowling alley features classic neon-lit lanes alongside pool tables, arcades, a full bar, and special events like leagues and lessons. More traditional than Dave & Buster’s.
Website Link: https://www.bowlmor.com/
9. The One Up Family Arcade LA
This huge classic arcade in Los Angeles homes thousands of original arcade cabinets and pinball machines from the 70’s-90’s. Also features modern consoles, skee ball, air hockey, VR games, and a snack bar. Nostalgia for grown-up gamers.
Website Link: http://www.familyamusement.com/family_arcade.php
10. Playdium
One of North America’s largest entertainment complexes located in Ontario, featuring over 200 games and attractions. Go-karts, bowling, mini golf, roller coasters, laser tag, trampolines, arcade, VR – everything under one roof.
Website Link: https://www.playdium.com/
11. TopGolf
A modern spin on the classic driving range with climate-controlled bays, sensors to track your ball’s accuracy and distance, plus games and nightclub amenities. High-tech fun for golfers and non-golfers alike. (Locations across the U.S.)
Website Link: https://topgolf.com/select-topgolf-region/
12. Safe House
This immersive spy-themed restaurant and social club in Milwaukee features hidden rooms, secret entrances, magic shows, puzzles, and other interactive spy games throughout your dining experience.
Website Link: https://www.safe-house.com/
13. Oasis Family Fun Center
In the Arizona desert, this indoor/outdoor combo park offers tons of family fun – mini golf, go-karts, bumper boats, batting cages, water park, carnival rides, and arcades under shade.
Website Link: https://www.oasisfamilyfun.com/
14. GameWorks
Part restaurant, part video game arena, GameWorks focuses on playing new interactive and virtual reality games alongside a separate classic arcade. Sports bar food and handcrafted cocktails are provided. (Location in Vegas, Denver, and more)
Website Link: https://www.gameworks.com/
15. Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
Multi-level go-kart racing tracks plus arcades, VR, mini bowling, laser tag, zip line rides, and event spaces for hosting parties. The go-karts are the main draw compared to Dave & Buster’s arcade focus. (Located in Florida, Georgia, Missouri)
Website Link: https://andrettikarting.com/
16. Scene75 Entertainment Centers
These massive indoor complexes in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky house a staggering number of attractions including indoor go-karts, roller coasters, ropes courses, arcades, mini golf, laser tag, carnival rides, and varied dining options.
Website Link: https://www.scene75.com/
17. Barcade
A bar and arcade combo, Barcade combines craft beers and cocktails with vintage 80s/90s arcade cabinets and pinball. An adults-first throwback vibe perfect for nostalgic gamers looking for something more low-key. (Locations in several major cities)
Website Link: https://barcade.com/
18. The Night Game Houston
Adults 21+ can enjoy an arcade filled with both retro and modern video games, interactive art installations, and hip-hop dance parties, all while sipping craft cocktails or local brews in this uber-cool hangout.
Website Link: https://www.thenightgamehouston.com/
19. The Rec Room
These upscale Canadian entertainment hubs offer state-of-the-art gaming like axe throwing, arcade games, VR experiences, and TopGolf simulators paired with dining and handcrafted cocktails all in an industrial-chic environment.
Website Link: https://www.therecroom.com/
20. Frankie’s Fun Park
Family entertainment centers in South Carolina with outdoor rides, go-karts, mini golf courses, arcade games, and laser tag, as well as indoor ride and game areas. Classic park fun and thrills.
Website Link: https://frankies.com/
21. Stars and Strikes
A regional chain clustered in the Southeast offering bowling, billiards, laser tag, and arcades combined with a lively sports bar/restaurant setting suited for both kids and adults.
Website Link: https://www.starsandstrikes.com/
While Dave & Buster’s signature is blending arcade gaming with full-service dining, these alternatives each put their own spin on mingling gaming/entertainment with food and drinks. Some highlight nostalgia, some target families, and some lean into modern nightlife – but all provide an interactive, multi-attraction experience alongside dining and drinks.
Alternatives in Specific Locations
In addition to national chains, here are some alternatives in popular areas:
Places like Dave and Busters in California
- Tilt Studio (Burbank) – Retro arcade and bar
- Website Link: https://tiltstudio.com/
- Golfland Sunsplash (Roseville) – Arcade, water park, mini golf
- Website Link: https://www.golfland.com/roseville/
- Scandia Fun Center (multiple locations) – Go-karts, mini golf, arcade
- Website Link: http://scandiafunland.com/
Places like Dave and Busters in Maryland
- Arundel Mills – Mall with casino, comedy club, and indoor attractions
- Website Link: https://www.simon.com/mall/arundel-mills
- Point Lookout State Park – Beach rides, mini golf, and arcade
- All Set Restaurant & Spirits – Restaurant/bar with duckpin bowling
- Website Link: https://allsetrestaurant.com/
Places like Dave and Busters in Florida
- GameTime (multiple locations) – Family fun centers with go-karts, games, laser tag
- Website Link: https://www.gametimeplayers.com/
- Splitsville Luxury Lanes (multiple locations) – Upscale bowling, games, and dining
- Website Link: https://www.splitsvillelanes.com/
- Andretti Indoor Karting (Orlando) – Multi-level go-karting, arcade, VR and more
- Website Link: https://andrettikarting.com/
Places like Dave and Busters in Dallas
- Pinstack (Plano) – Bowling, bocce ball, arcade games, laser tag, and upscale food
- Website Link: https://pinstackbowl.com/
- Main Event (multiple locations) – Bowling, laser tag, ropes courses, arcade, and food
- Website Link: https://www.mainevent.com/
- K1 Speed (Arlington) – Indoor go-karting on European-style tracks
- Website Link: https://www.k1speed.com/arlington-location.html
Places like Dave and Busters in Atlanta
- Stars and Strikes (multiple locations) – Bowling, games, laser tag, billiards, sports bar
- Website Link: https://www.starsandstrikes.com/
- Andretti Indoor Karting and Games (Roswell) – Go-karting, arcade, VR, laser tag, rides
- Website Link: https://andrettikarting.com/marietta
- Battle & Brew (Sandy Springs) – Video games and craft beer bar
- Website Link: https://www.battleandbrew.com/
Alternatives for Adults
For adults seeking more mature entertainment, check out these options:
- Punch Bowl Social – Sophisticated setting with games, dining, and craft cocktails
- Website Link: https://punchbowlsocial.com/
- Barcade – Bars with vintage arcade games and local brews
- Website Link: https://barcade.com/
- The Rec Room – Handcrafted drinks and upscale games like axe throwing
- Website Link: https://www.therecroom.com/
- Lucky Strike – Upscale bowling alleys with bars and nightlife
- Website Link: https://luckystrikeent.com/
- The Night Game Houston – Adults-only arcade and interactive art space
- Website Link: https://www.thenightgamehouston.com/
Conclusion
Dave and Buster pioneered the “eatertainment” concept, but many fantastic alternatives now exist across the country. Whether you’re looking for family fun or adult-oriented hangouts, options abound with unique themes, games, activities, locations, and pricing. Explore these 21 alternatives to find fresh ways to play.
