EAT + PLAY

Ever since I spotted Dave & Buster’s at Opus Mall — back when it wasn’t even open yet — I was already curious. It’s hard to miss. The place occupies a massive corner of the mall, with signage you can see even from the ground floor. With a footprint of 1,700 sq.m., it moves beyond big into something far more expansive and sprawling.

I finally got to try Dave & Buster’s over the weekend, and “lively” is really the best word for it.

When you step off the escalator, the arcade draws you in first. It works like Timezone — load credits and play — and everything here feels high-tech. Even the claw machines have robots. I’m not much of a gamer, but I’ll admit, the space is fun. It’s bright, noisy in a good way, and clearly designed to pull in a younger crowd. There’s also a Wednesday promo where games go for half the price.

But we were there for the food — and that’s on the other side.

You walk into the dining area and immediately notice the demographic shift. There are two pool tables up front, then pockets of semi-private spaces for groups plus a VIP room and several function rooms. The main dining hall opens up into a wide, comfortable layout of booths and long tables. And then there are the screens — three of them, massive, almost theatrical. These feel closer to a micro cinema than a sports bar. When we were there, they were showing UAAP volleyball, tennis, and a PBA game all at once.

There’s pop music playing, but at a volume where you can still have a conversation without shouting — which is always a win. Visually, the space leans into that bold orange-and-blue palette, with clean, modern graphics that keep things dynamic without feeling chaotic.

Among The Bistro Group’s concepts, this one really screams “family.” It’s the kind of place where you can bring kids, grandparents, your barkada, even officemates — and everyone will find something to enjoy.

I remember when Bistro Group was supposed to bring in Chuck E. Cheese. That didn’t push through, and in hindsight, Dave & Buster’s feels like the better call. It’s a more grown-up kind of fun, but still very accessible to younger diners.

The menu leans heavily into that familiar sports bar territory. The first things you’ll see are sampler boards — good for two to four people. There’s the usual mix: chicken strips, calamari, flatbreads, cheese sticks. We went for the Game Day Grub, which is sold as a house specialty. It comes with pretzel dogs, smash burger sliders, and wings.

To be honest, nothing about it felt particularly groundbreaking. At nearly P1,500, it’s on the pricey side for what is essentially bar chow. That said, the sliders stood out — well-seasoned and juicy enough that I’d seriously consider ordering the full-sized burger next time. Possibly top 10 in Manila, at least for me. The wings, especially with the blue cheese dressing, are solid. The pretzel dogs? Probably more for the kids.

For mains, we each ordered something different.

I went for the Stacked Bowl, which surprisingly sits under the salad section alongside Caesar and the house salad. Don’t let that fool you because it’s a full meal. You get sliced beef tenderloin cooked to your preference, laid over rice, with roasted cauliflower, bell peppers, onions, arugula, cherry tomatoes, pico de gallo, lime, and even hard-boiled egg. It hits that sweet spot between hearty and fresh. At P725, it’s one of the better-value items on the menu. There’s also a salmon version, which I’m already eyeing for next time.

What surprised me most was the presence of Filipino dishes. They have crispy pata, salpicao — and we tried the adobong bagnet (which was misspelled on the menu). It comes with French beans for a slightly more “elevated” presentation. The adobo sauce is subtle and balanced, not overly rich, and the bagnet itself is tender with a properly crisp skin. It’s lighter than you’d expect, and pairs well with the garlic rice. At P875, it’s not cheap, but it feels fair for the setting.

The rest of the menu reads like a greatest hits of middle America — approachable, familiar, and crowd-friendly. The Fish and Chips (P545), which we suspect uses cream dory (it’s just labeled “whitefish”), comes in generous portions — three large pieces, nicely battered. But the fries deserve special mention; in fact, we ended up ordering extra. (My friends also raved about the free popcorn.)

We also had the Chicken Parm Pasta (P595) — linguine in a creamy Alfredo sauce, topped with chicken parmigiana and cherry tomatoes. It’s classic American comfort food, done well. Not adventurous, but very satisfying. The server suggested the Cajun shrimp pasta, which might be worth trying next time, but if you’re in the mood for something safe, this delivers.

Dessert is a smaller selection, so we went with the sampler (P435). Everything on it was terrific, but the standout for me was the strawberry chiffon cake. It immediately reminded me of Vizco’s in Baguio — soft with a real strawberry flavor. That alone is worth coming back for. The chocolate cake, with its mousse and ganache, is rich but not sinful, and the caramel brownie hits that nice balance where it’s indulgent without being cloying.

They also have a kids’ menu and a full drinks list — mocktails, classic cocktails, and beer. A San Mig at P130 is fairly priced, which is always appreciated.

If you’re looking for a place to celebrate with family, hang out with your friends, or just have an easy, no-fuss meal where everyone can find something they like, Dave & Buster’s is a solid option. Pair that with Opus Mall’s still relatively relaxed crowd, and you’ve got a pretty easygoing destination.

Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area.

Dave & Buster’s is located at the third floor of Opus Mall, Quezon City. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.