American mega chain Dave & Buster’s has unveiled a sneak peek of its first Australian venue ahead of its Clarkson launch on Saturday.
The expansive entertainment complex boasts more than 2000sqm and an 800-person capacity, with WA-based NightOwl Entertainment hoping the Texas-founded chain becomes a local hub for gaming, live sports, and American-style dining.
Behind well-known Perth hangouts Print Hall, The Lookout, Magnet House, and Flight Club Australia, the local hospitality group considers its latest venture as the most ambitious in its 17-year history.
Harry Fry, Dave & Buster’s Business Development Manager, expects Perth’s north to be gobsmacked by the sheer scale of it.
“It’s going to blow the northern corridor away. But beyond the size, it’s the energy from the moment you walk in — food, drinks, gaming, live sport all under one roof. It’s genuinely fun from the second you arrive,” he told PerthNow.
Inside the gargantuan precinct, situated on Key Largo Drive, gamers will be spoilt for choice with more than 75 premium arcade games on offer.
Included in the mix is Dave & Buster’s signature Plush Bus, along with WA exclusives UFC Challenge and JJ Bot Avatar that are sure to become birthday party magnets.
Players are encouraged to convert points, tickets and time spent gaming into tangible rewards at a dedicated Win Room.
While sports lovers may prefer to perch up by a 40-foot custom built screen known as the WOW Wall — complemented by 30 ultra-HD displays that have been scattered among the precinct to ensure there’s no bad seat in the house.
The food and drinks menus have been adapted to suit local tastes while retaining generous portion sizes worthy of an American-sized appetite.
“We’ve kept the boldness and generosity that defines American cuisine, but everything is made with fresh, quality Australian ingredients,” Mr Fry said.
“And there are some genuine originals on the menu — the Buster Burger is a signature dish that dates back to Dave & Buster’s very first venue in 1982, and it’s an absolute must-try.”
Other highlights include nachos, fall-off-the-bone wings in the choice of eight toppings, woodfired pizzas, as well as Aussie pub classics like the chicken parmi and scotch fillet.
All beverages will flow through a central 10-metre terrazzo bar, serving a mix of 13 local and imported beers, and 32 high score cocktails, plus mocktails.
And for the sweet tooths, a selection of decadent milkshakes, such as Buster’s Biscoff and Marshmallow Magic, will provide that sugar rush.
Mr Fry felt the combination of activities available to the public had it well-placed to please.
With success heavily reliant upon the community’s willingness to buy into the bigger-is-better model, he said feedback had been positive to date.
“There’re always some nerves when you’re launching a new brand and concept into a market, but the Clarkson community has completely embraced it,” Mr Fry said.
The concept appears to compete somewhat with American-themed yet locally founded concept Varsity Bar, which currently holds venues north of Perth in the suburbs of Joondalup, Whitfords, Innaloo and Morley.
In June 2023, Dave & Buster’s first announced its plans to roll out five stores in Australia. It currently operates more than 170 across the Americas.
Dave & Buster’s Clarkson venue opens to the public this Saturday, May 16.
It will operate Monday through Sunday from 11am to midnight.
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