SPOTTED: Dave & Busters Is Coming to Manila

(SPOT.ph) If there's one thing Filipinos love to do, it's turning a simple get-together into an all-day affair. When we go out with our friends and family, it's never just a meal. Lunch flows into merienda into a movie date, and next thing you know, you're planning the next family outing. Safe to say, we love spots that let us do more than one thing. So we were elated when we spotted this board-up at Opus Mall in Bridgetowne. 

Heads up: Dave & Buster's, the American arcade-bar-restaurant hybrid, is opening in Manila—its first Southeast Asian location.

Check out what we know about this new spot hitting the Metro soon.

Here's what we know (so far) about Dave & Buster's Manila:

For the uninitiated, Dave & Buster's is a sports bar, a full-service restaurant, and an arcade concept that's been around North America for almost 40 years. In an interview with Antonio Bautista, Dave & Buster's Chief International Development Officer, he describes the D&B experience as "multi-dimensional," explaining that a visit here means being able to drink, dine, play, and watch all in one location—perfect for groups who want to do different things but still spend time together.

"Why go somewhere else?" says Bautista. According to him, a typical Dave & Buster's experience marries the interests of everyone in the group. You typically have young kids rushing in to play arcade games, laser tag, and more recently, VR-based experiences. Meanwhile, adults would come in for a drink or a cocktail at the bar or chow on American comfort classics like burgers, wings, and salads. 

For those of us who grew up on Timezone, Tom's World, and other arcade spots, Dave & Buster's is that sweet spot that bridges our childhood gaming nostalgia with a more adult sports bar energy. Yup, planning the next get-together is going to be a lot easier in the future.

With over 150 stores in North America, Dave & Buster's has only recently expanded outside the continental US, opening branches in India early this year. In the Philippines, Dave & Buster's has partnered with The Bistro Group—the folks behind concepts like TGIFridays, Hard Rock Cafe, Italianni's, and many more—bringing to life the first Southeast Asian location of the famous brand. 

It's sparing no expense on its entrance to the Philippines, either. Dave & Buster's will open a massive 1,560-square-meter space on Opus Mall's third floor, taking up more than half the floor. The spot is slated to open in the latter half of 2025, with up to five possible branch expansions happening in the next seven years— i.e., we're going to be seeing a lot more from this brand soon. 

When Dave & Buster's Manila opens, guests can expect a more Filipino-forward version of the American D&B experience. Aside from the usual American comfort fare, we can also expect D&B Manila-exclusive dishes and arcade games that are exclusive to the brand and new to the Philippines. All the exclusive details are kept under wraps for now, but we're keeping an eye out for any new info drops on the food and fun coming when Dave & Buster's opens.

We can't wait to finally start planning a group hangout where everyone can be happy doing their own thing, all in one place. 

Dave & Buster's is opening at 3/F Opus Mall, Bridgetowne, Quezon City. For more information, visit The Bistro Group's website.

Also read:
Guide to Restaurants and Cafés at Opus Mall in Quezon City
LIST: Opus Mall’s Wellness and Self-Care Services
Opus Mall, Bridgetowne: Newly Opened and Soon-to-Open Shops

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