Dave & Buster's is rolling into Sugar Land on Monday with a supersized arcade and sports bar, taking over a former big box at 19892 Southwest Freeway and packing it with food, booze and blinking screens. The new eat, play and watch complex spans roughly 30,700 square feet and combines a full restaurant, sports bar and a broad arcade floor that includes private game suites and a 40 foot "WOW" wall. It will be the chain's fourth Houston area outpost, joining the existing lineup around the metro.
In a press release distributed through 24-7 Press Release/Digital Journal, Dave & Buster's put the Riverpark Shopping Center footprint at 30,750 square feet. The company said a ribbon cutting is set for 9:45 a.m., with doors opening to the public at 10 a.m. on opening day. The first 100 people in line will score free game play for the day, which should make that morning coffee line at the mall look pretty tame by comparison.
Local coverage has pegged the interior build out at about $5.5 million and listed the space slightly differently at 30,631 square feet, while noting that the Sugar Land location will join existing Houston area sites in Katy, Friendswood and Shenandoah, according to the Houston Chronicle.
What to Expect Inside
According to Dave & Buster's, the Sugar Land build is loaded with more than 100 arcade titles. That lineup includes immersive experiences such as the Top Gun: Maverick simulator along with a human size crane game that looks made for social media bragging rights. Private Game Suites will offer high tech darts and social shuffle for groups that want their own corner of the chaos.
At the center of the space sits a 40 foot panoramic WOW Wall backed up by multiple private watch rooms aimed at serious game day viewing. Food and drink service will follow the chain's current menu and promotional setup, so regulars from other Houston area locations should feel right at home.
From Big Box To Entertainment Hub
The Riverpark address previously housed a big box retailer. Outdoor chain Gander Mountain filed for Chapter 11 protection and liquidated many of its stores in 2017, according to Retail Dive. In its new life, the site is set to act as an anchor entertainment tenant for Riverpark, sharing the center with other leisure and fitness concepts, as noted by Community Impact.
Jobs, Hours And Deals
Company hiring materials reposted on job boards say the Sugar Land venue is expected to bring on about 150 team members. The location will keep the brand's standard store hours and roll out chainwide promotions that include Eat & Play combos starting at $19.99, half price game days on Sundays and Wednesdays and happy hour drink pricing that begins at $5, according to a company announcement republished on Simplify.jobs.
“We are thrilled to officially open our doors in Sugar Land and offer a premier destination where friends and families can enjoy world class play and incredible food,” General Manager Dan Haber said in the same company announcement via Simplify.jobs. Details on group bookings, store hours and other location specific information are available from Dave & Buster's.
