Dave & Buster’s is gearing up to light up Jack London Square this spring, bringing its combo of arcade games, sports bar energy and full-service restaurant fare to Oakland’s waterfront. The multi-level venue is moving into the long-vacant building at 55 Harrison Street, where construction crews are already at work. Company representatives say the site is expected to create local jobs and serve as a major sports-viewing hub for fans and families.
A communications specialist for the chain confirmed the Jack London Square location and said the restaurant-entertainment venue is aiming for a spring opening, according to KTVU. The Jack London Square tenant directory also lists Dave & Buster’s as an upcoming arrival at 55 Harrison Street, joining the company’s existing Bay Area locations in Concord, Daly City, Milpitas and Fairfield.
Long Vacant Building Gets A Second Life
The six-story property at 55 Harrison was previously slated to become a roughly 40,000 square foot food hall featuring high-profile Bay Area chefs, a project that ultimately stalled during the pandemic. SFGATE reported that a liquor-license filing is pending for the address and noted that the building has sat largely unused since it was constructed in 2009.
Jobs, Benefits And Who They Are Hiring
Alison Brod Marketing and Communications, the chain’s agency, told KTVU that the Oakland location plans to hire servers, bartenders, line cooks and game techs. According to the agency, Dave & Buster’s offers employee benefits that include medical, dental, vision and a 401(k), with formal job postings expected to roll out closer to opening.
Policy Shift Opened The Door
State Sen. Jesse Arreguín’s SB 304, which took effect Jan. 1, 2026, loosened long-standing tidelands restrictions and gives the Port of Oakland more leeway to lease properties for commercial, cultural and recreational uses, according to a press release from the senator’s office. Supporters say the law is meant to activate underused waterfront parcels and streamline leasing for new concepts.
Can It Really Revive Jack London Square?
Port figures show that about 52% of Jack London Square’s ground-floor space is currently vacant, a problem SB 304 is intended to tackle, as reported by KQED. Local business leaders told KQED they are glad to see new anchors arriving but warned that filling storefronts and rebuilding regular foot traffic will require sustained work from the Port, property owners and City Hall.
Dave & Buster’s now joins a wave of recent openings and proposals that could reshape the waterfront mix of dining and entertainment. Whether a national brand translates into everyday convenience and connection for nearby residents is still an open question. City and company officials say more specifics, including formal hiring notices and an exact opening date, will be shared as construction moves forward.
