A quick trip through the Crossgates Dave & Buster's
On one hand: We're a little skeptical of the idea behind Dave & Buster's -- a chain arcade/restaurant/bar/Chuck-E-Cheese-type-thing for adults. It makes us think of a "pieces of flair" place, but, you know, with games.
On the other: We do really like to play skee ball...
So, when we were invited to get an early look at the new Crossgates location today -- it opens this Saturday (August 24) -- we figured, sure, why not.
Here's a quick trip through it...
First a few bits about Dave & Buster's
+ Dave & Buster's was started in 1982 in Dallas. Counting Crossgates, the chain has 64 locations around the country.
+ The Crossgates location is on the first floor of the mall, adjacent to the Dick's Sporting Goods.
+ It's big -- 33,000 square feet.
+ The bar and restaurant area can sit 265 people. The menu is pretty much what you'd expect: burgers, steaks, sandwiches, salads, mountain o' nachos.
+ There are 170 games in the arcade (many of them multi player). You pay for the games by loading money onto a card.
+ It's open 11 am to midnight Sunday-Thursday, and 11 am to 2 am Friday and Saturday.
+ The place is oriented toward adults. People under 18 aren't allowed without accompanying someone over 25. And after 11 pm, the whole space is 21 and over.
+ The interior is dark, probably to accentuate all the flashing lights on the games. And it's not quiet. Today, when the place was mostly empty, there was a robust din. We gotta think it will get pretty loud when it's packed with people.
There are a handful of photos above in large format -- click or scroll all the way up.
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Comments
Anyone know if there's pinball?
... said Lola on Aug 22, 2013 at 1:54 PM | link
I went to D&B in St. Louis a couple (few?) times before moving to NY. I believe I remember pinball. It is a fun place... the food was overpriced and mediocre at best, but kind of like no one goes to Chuck E. Cheese for the pizza, you don't go to D&B for the food either.
... said Laura T. on Aug 22, 2013 at 2:50 PM | link
The D&B in Austin had good food, better than you find most places in Albany. But since this one's in Albany, I won't get my hopes up.
... said Chris on Aug 22, 2013 at 3:18 PM | link
Haven't been to Dave & Busters in 10 years, but it was a fairly enjoyable evening if not a little bit of a novelty. I could see myself checking it out at some point. It does indeed look dimly lit in the photos.
... said KGB on Aug 22, 2013 at 3:21 PM | link
Do they have Soma on the menu?
Or is this just a place you go to dinner with people you really don't want to talk to? If so, nice business model. "hey, honey, let's take your parents to Dave and Busters"
... said Soma Please on Aug 22, 2013 at 5:26 PM | link
It looks like fun. Looking at your photos did make me want to play a few rounds of skeeball! If you stop by before they open, you may be able to pick up a coupon for $10 of free games with a $10 purchase - they had them by the entrance last week.
When I looked through the closed doors, I noticed there were Doodle Jump and Cut the Rope arcade games! Pretty funny, considering they are $1 games to begin with!
... said Paul on Aug 22, 2013 at 6:22 PM | link
Sorry to be such a Debbie (Donnie?) Downer, but The Standard is the only thing interesting at that mall.
... said ChuckD on Aug 22, 2013 at 6:28 PM | link
Had Jillian's focused on and maintained the games instead of just selling $8 beers and blasting music toward the borderline-pornographic dance floor, perhaps we would still have something like this in downtown Albany. Alas, we will now have to find designated drivers to enjoy a place like this.
... said Herfowitz on Aug 22, 2013 at 10:07 PM | link
The transformers pinball machine in the new arcade in the food court at crossgates mall is probably the best new table in the area. It is breaking in quite nicely! I doubt any table at D&B's or Nascar table @Wolf's 111 will compare to that one.
... said waterworldseries on Aug 22, 2013 at 10:56 PM | link
if you are looking for a better steak in an arcade setting you are sh-- out of luck.
... said Mac on Aug 23, 2013 at 8:58 AM | link
I had a friend who hosted his bachelor party at a Dave & Buster's outside Chicago. I have surprisingly good memories of the food, but this may have been because I was in college and my standard diet at the time was frozen pizza and PBR.
... said Frank on Aug 23, 2013 at 12:26 PM | link
I've been to D&B in another city....it was 'the place to go', was quite busy and enjoyed by all ages because there's something for everyone. I remember all of us sitting in a line at car race games and we raced against each other!!! Great fun!
... said Wendy on Aug 23, 2013 at 8:07 PM | link
We were frequent visitors at the D&B in Honolulu Hawaii before we moved to Albany. It was a great place and lots of fun. The food is average, but over all it was a good place to spend the evening. Looking forward to checking this new location out.
... said Michael on Aug 30, 2013 at 7:52 PM | link
Went to DBS on Saturday night. Waited 2 hours for a table but was able to get drinks fairly quickly from the bar and able to play games even though it was very busy. Food was ok for the price. Games were fun for a 30 something with a bunch of other 30 somethings until the college kids showed up. You know those ones who aren't 21 yet but come with that one older friend to buy them drinks since the Albany PD has cracked down the underage drinking at LP's and Michaels.
... said Jim on Sep 12, 2013 at 10:26 AM | link
No pinball tables at this D&B location.
I agree- who goes to Dave & Buster's expecting a good steak or five-star meal of any sort, rather...?
... said I on Sep 25, 2013 at 5:30 PM | link
I love D&B. The food is better than some people are saying that's for sure... I guess it's fun to hate on Chili's or Olive Garden too. But you know you found something you love at both locations even if you wrote a mediocre revue.
Anyway they need pinballs and more video games. The redemption or ticket spitting games just seems to overpowering. Otherwise a fun time can be had by all, and for a video game fan like myself it's my happy place.
... said jack on Oct 14, 2015 at 12:08 PM | link