Dave & Buster’s gives new meaning to the power lunch
A new chapter in the Staten Island social scene was drafted this summer as Dave & Buster’s — the popular entertainment chain with more than 100 locations throughout the U.S. — opened a 40,000 square-foot facility in the Staten Island Mall. The eat and play gaming epicenter,
which anchors the Mall’s ongoing expansion, serves as an important recreational component to the shopping center’s reinvention and created 200 jobs for borough residents.
“We have multiple New York locations and we wanted to bring the fun to the Staten Island community,” noted Jessica Bocaya, the location’s corporate
sales manager, when asked why Staten Island was an attractive market for the Dave & Buster’s brand. “We look forward to being the ultimate destination
for special events here on Staten Island and welcome all groups to make a reservation with our special events team and see what the buzz is all about.”
Featuring 172 games in the franchise’s multi-million dollar “Mid-Way,” the game-themed restaurant also maintains a dining area that seats more than 400 guests. A sports bar and lounge boasts more than 40 big screen TVs and projector screens and there’s a boardroom for corporate events equipped with A/V and WiFi capabilities.
“Our demographic ranges from young professionals to families, so it’s Dave & Buster’s goal to have something for everyone,” Bocaya said. “We are thrilled to say that since opening, the community has really embraced us. We hosted a VIP soft opening party for the locals in which over 1,000 people were in attendance to help us celebrate. And since opening, we’ve hosted events daily from social events like rehearsal dinners, bachelor
parties and birthday parties to corporate events like team building, happy hour and networking events. We are looking
forward to this holiday season as many of the local businesses have been planning ahead and reaching out to us to book their holiday parties early.”
The Dave & Buster menu focuses on quick bites and casual fare: Popular
menu items include a Buffalo Wing Burger topped with hand breaded Buffalo chicken tenders, blue cheese and frazzled onions and a Triple Bacon
Burger with smoked Gouda sauce, Manchego and cheddar cheeses. For vegetarians, there’s a 100 percent plant-based patty called the Impossible
Burger and apps like Avocado Toast — a ciabatta crostini topped with smashed avocados, jalapeno and Sriracha fire-roasted street corn. Decadent
DIY desserts like the build-your-own Churro Sundae sweeten the dining
experience.
And guests don’t have to dine to play, but Bocaya says the true Dave & Buster’s
experience encompasses both.
“You can come to play or you can come to eat, but once you walk into our facility, you will want to have the full experience that everyone is raving
about and that’s to EAT, DRINK, PLAY and WATCH,” she noted. “We are the perfect venue to watch sports, have some competitive fun, enjoy a signature cocktail and choose from one of our delicious items on our menu.”
Corporate events — which feature scavenger hunts or refereed arcade game play — are also a bit of a Dave & Buster’s specialty.
“It’s a breath of fresh air to hear clients call in to plan their event and with so much enthusiasm and a commitment to try something new,” Bocaya concluded. “We are equally excited to have the opportunity to provide an unforgettable experience to many local businesses.
Our team-building events are the most talked about experience
- corporate clients rave about this because it boosts office morale and gives staff the opportunity to engage in healthy competition. The events require no athletic skill, everyone is able to participate. I’ve seen managers team up against staff and it gets very competitive and it’s so much fun! Teams can race against the clock on a scavenger hunt or compete against each other with games in our Mid-Way. The fun is when the referee determines the final score — but win or lose — our guests will tell you, the fun and the experience in itself is unmatched.”
