how much is dave and busters
Dave & Buster’s typically costs somewhere between a casual dinner out and a full “night at an amusement park,” depending on how much you eat and play.
Quick Scoop
For a simple visit for two people , a rough, realistic range many guests report is:
- Light visit (shared appetizer, a drink, modest games): around 40–70 dollars total.
- Normal date night (2 entrées, a couple of drinks, decent games): around 80–140 dollars total.
- Bigger outing or small group (family of 4, or a birthday with lots of gameplay): easily 150–300 dollars or more, depending on packages and how hard you go on the arcade.
Think of it as a restaurant bill plus a mini theme‑park spend layered on top.
What “how much is Dave & Buster’s” Can Mean
People usually mean one (or more) of these:
- How much is the food (burgers, appetizers, entrées)?
- How much is game play (Power Card, chips, cost per game)?
- How much does a date night or family night usually run?
- How much are packages or parties (birthday, team event, buffet)?
Below is a breakdown of each, using recent public info and example forum experiences.
Food prices (ballpark)
Menu prices vary by location, but older and current public menus show Dave & Buster’s in the same general range as mainstream casual chains (Applebee’s, Chili’s, etc.).
Typical ranges:
- Starters/appetizers: roughly 7–14 dollars (e.g., nachos, wings, pretzel bites).
- Burgers and sandwiches: mostly around 10–16 dollars depending on toppings and combos.
- Pasta and entrées: generally in the low‑ to mid‑teens and up (some fish/steaks higher).
- Desserts: usually in the 6–9 dollar range.
A popular Eat & Play combo (entrée + gameplay) is advertised as starting around 19.99 dollars, including an entrée and a 10 dollar Power Card, which is one of the better-value options if you plan to both eat and play.
Game costs (Power Card & chips)
You don’t put quarters into the machines; you load money onto a Power Card that turns cash into “chips,” and games deduct chips when you tap in.
Key points:
- You pay upfront to load a Power Card with a set dollar amount that converts into chips.
- Most arcade games take only a few chips per play , but it adds up quickly if you play a lot.
- Some regular visitors report it’s easy to burn through 20–40 dollars per person on games in one session, especially with kids or if you love the bigger ticket games.
- Certain days and promos (like half‑price game days or bundles) can effectively cut that in half.
A good starting estimate:
- Casual play: 10–20 dollars per person in chips.
- Game‑heavy night: 25–50 dollars per person in chips, especially without deals.
Real‑world trip examples
Public forum and Q&A stories give a good “feel” for how much people actually spend.
Example scenarios (approximate)
| Visit type | What happens | Estimated total spend |
|---|---|---|
| Quick stop with light games | Share 1–2 appetizers, soft drinks, small Power Card for each person. | About 40–70 dollars for two people, depending on location and tip. | [7][1]
| Standard date night | Two entrées, maybe a drink or two, moderate gameplay each. | Often 80–140 dollars for two, especially without coupons. | [10][3][7][1]
| Family of four outing | Meals for everyone, shared appetizer, decent chips for the kids. | Roughly 150–250 dollars, depending on game budget and drinks. | [7][10]
| Kids birthday party package | Per‑kid price with food + game cards, sometimes option for unlimited non‑ticket games. | Common reports around 30–50 dollars per kid as a planning range. | [8][10]
Deals, promos, and how to keep cost down
Because costs add up, a lot of people lean on deals and timing.
Common money‑savers mentioned publicly:
- Eat & Play bundles: Entrée plus a Power Card (e.g., starting around 19.99 dollars) can be cheaper than buying separately.
- Half‑price game days : Certain weekdays cut game prices, which frequent players say is “the only day worth playing” if you want value.
- Coupons and promo codes : Sites like Groupon regularly list Dave & Buster’s promo offers and discounts, especially in 2026.
- Rewards programs and gift cards : Earning bonus chips or buying discounted gift cards can effectively stretch your budget.
An easy budget strategy:
- Decide your game budget per person (for example, 20–30 dollars).
- Pick a deal day or bundle to maximize chips for that amount.
- Choose either full entrées or share appetizers instead of doing both heavy food and maximum gameplay.
Bottom line:
For “how much is Dave and Buster’s,” a normal night usually lands in the range
of a mid‑priced restaurant plus a decent arcade tab—often around 40–70 dollars
for a light visit for two, 80–140 dollars for a fuller date‑night–style
experience, and more for families or parties, especially without deals.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.