FunKidsActivities

Dave & Buster's New York City - Times Square

234 W 42nd St 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036, USA

Overview

Category:Arcades
Location:New York, NY

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Dave & Buster's Times Square offers an engaging family entertainment experience, particularly for extended visits, combining surprisingly good food with a wide array of arcade games. Its unique value lies in exceptional staff service and potentially high-value passes, despite operating in a bustling Times Square environment with some venue-specific comfort issues.

Key Highlights

  • Consistently friendly, professional, and attentive staff members (e.g., Kim, Anthony, Harrison, Annie at prize counter, John, Jhon, security guard).
  • Manager Travis provides exceptional, personalized customer service, including game and menu recommendations.
  • Staff are actively observed cleaning, wiping, testing, and fixing game machines throughout the day, contributing to a well-maintained environment.
  • Specific promotional passes (e.g., 'unlimited winter pass') offer significant value, including weekly ticket earnings (2k tickets/week), access to many new games, and food discounts (30% off).
  • Food quality is often surprisingly delicious for specific dishes (e.g., cheese stack, buffalo chicken flatbread, creamy chicken pasta, Caesar salad, elote cauliflower, strawberry cheesecake).
  • Ability to watch sports games and request specific broadcasts (e.g., basketball) enhances the dining experience.
  • Generally provides a fun and enjoyable experience for children and families.
  • Manages to provide a 'not-Times-Square' feel inside, despite its busy location.

Standout Features

  • Proactive and visible staff engagement in cleaning and game maintenance.
  • Highly attentive and knowledgeable staff, including managers, who enhance the guest experience with recommendations and service.
  • Availability of special passes (like the unlimited winter pass) that bundle game credits and food discounts.
  • Surprisingly high-quality and varied food options for specific menu items.
  • Opportunity for families to spend an extended period (6-7 hours) engaged in activities and dining.
  • Good selection of mocktails and drinks.

Perfect For

Suitable for families with school-aged children and teens, as 'the child especially enjoyed it' and parents 'played games with my kids'. No specific accommodations or mentions for toddlers or very young children.

Ideal For

Extended family outings or day trips (can easily spend 6-7 hours).
Families seeking a combination of arcade gaming and casual dining.
A fun activity during cold winter months, especially with specific seasonal passes.
Parents looking for a venue with highly attentive and friendly customer service.
Visitors who appreciate a well-maintained environment with active staff.
Anyone looking for a lively, engaging atmosphere that doesn't feel like the typical Times Square chaos.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • Bring a small portable fan to counter the heat, especially during visits when you might wear a jacket.
  • Bring a reusable bag to store jackets if visiting in colder months, as the venue can be very warm inside.
  • If planning to go shopping, visit Dave & Buster's first or ensure someone can watch your bags to avoid hassle.
  • Consider purchasing special game/food passes (e.g., 'unlimited winter pass') for better value, including game access and food discounts.
  • Engage with staff, particularly managers, for game recommendations and menu suggestions, as they are noted for their helpfulness and knowledge.
  • If planning to watch sports, inquire if specific games can be put on, as this is a known amenity.

Things to Consider

  • The arcade area can be uncomfortably warm or hot, even during winter months.
  • Some popular or favorite games may be perpetually out of order.
  • The game room size is perceived as not very big, and some expected or traditional arcade games might be missing.
  • Managing shopping bags can be a hassle due to the venue's setup, especially if visiting after shopping.
  • Food is typical 'bar food-fare' for some items, comparable to chains like BWW or Chili's.

Price & Value

Offers good value with special game card deals and passes. The 'unlimited winter pass' specifically includes 2k tickets per week, access to new games, and a 30% discount on food, making it an attractive option for extended play. Food is comparable in price to BWW and Chili's, with some dishes noted as surprisingly delicious, potentially justifying the cost.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • No specific accommodations for special needs or accessibility features are mentioned in the reviews.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Offers full lunch and dinner services with a diverse menu.
  • Food quality is mixed: some items are 'surprisingly delicious' (e.g., specific flatbreads, pasta, cheesecake, elote cauliflower), while others are 'typical bar food-fare' comparable to BWW and Chili's.
  • Good selection of mocktails is available.
  • Specific passes can offer significant discounts on food (e.g., 30% off with the unlimited winter pass).

🚗Parking Info

  • Parking information is not mentioned in the provided reviews.

👥Crowd Levels

  • Can be busy, especially on Saturday evenings, but one reviewer noted it was 'not as overwhelming as I had feared'.
  • Staff actively cleaning and maintaining suggests a sustained level of activity and crowd management efforts.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Visible and friendly security guard on site.
  • Staff are seen actively cleaning, wiping down, testing, and fixing game machines, contributing to operational safety and hygiene.

When to Avoid

  • If you are highly sensitive to warm or hot indoor temperatures, as this is a consistent concern.
  • If you expect a very large arcade with every traditional game, as the game room is noted as 'not very big' and some games might be missing.
  • If carrying numerous shopping bags and not prepared for bag management issues.
  • If a perpetually out-of-order favorite game would significantly impact your experience.

Pricing/Package/Events

Pricing & Packages

STACK N’ SCORE – PLATTERS

Starting at $19.99 per person

For 10-20 guests in a shared space, available Saturdays & Sundays before 11am.

Includes:
  • Pancake Bar (maple & chocolate syrup, strawberries, Oreo crumbles, rainbow sprinkles, whipped cream)
  • Unlimited Fountain Drinks, Milk or Juice
  • Birthday Child: $20 Power Card w/Unlimited Video Game Play & a Power Tap Band
  • Guests: $10 Power Card with 2 hours of Unlimited Video Game Play
Ages: Kids

Level Up Birthday - Platters

Starting at $29.99 per person

For 10-20 guests in a shared space.

Includes:
  • Choice of Signature Pepperoni Flatbread or Ultimate Cheese Flatbread Pizza
  • French Fries
  • Seasonal Fruit
  • Unlimited Fountain Drinks
  • Birthday Child: $30 Power Card w/ Unlimited Video Game Play & A Power Tap band
  • Guests: $25 Power Card
Ages: Kids

Next Level Birthday – Platters

Starting at $34.99 per person

For 10-20 guests in a shared space.

Includes:
  • Choice of 2: Crispy Chicken Bites, Smashed Burger Sliders, Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza, Baked Mac & Cheese or Mini Pretzel Dogs w/ Ketchup
  • French Fries
  • Seasonal Fruit
  • Unlimited Fountain Drinks
  • Birthday Child: $40 Power Card w/ Unlimited Video Game Play & A Power Tap Band
  • Guests: $30 Power Card
Ages: Kids

Ultimate Unlock Birthday – Banquet

Starting at $38.99 per person

For 15+ guests, upgrade to a private room rental.

Includes:
  • Choice of Signature Pepperoni Flatbread or Ultimate Cheese Flatbread Pizza
  • Crispy Chicken Bites w/ Ranch
  • Smash Burger Sliders
  • Fried Cheese Planks
  • French Fries
  • Seasonal Fruit
  • Unlimited Fountain Drinks
  • Birthday Child: $50 Power Card w/ Unlimited Video Game Play & A Power Tap Band
  • Guests: $35 Power Card
Ages: Kids

Eat & Play Combo

Starting at $19.99 per person

Offer not valid on Fridays or Saturdays after 5PM. Unlimited gameplay upgrade valid for 90 minutes starting at time of first gameplay swipe, with a 30-second lag between each swipe. Tickets earned on redemption games are capped at 1,500. Not valid on purple swipe games (VR, crane games, pushers, dance games or merchandising games) or orange/blue swipe amusements (Human Crane, the Arena, and Social Bays). Valid one per person. Tax and gratuity not included. Dine-in only.

Includes:
  • Choice of entree (All-American Smashed Burger, Fish & Chips, Boneless Wings, Crispy Chicken Sandwich or Crispy Chicken Strips)
  • $10 Power Card

Events & Schedule

Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)

National Video Games Day (9/12) Promotion

September 12th

$24.99

Score 60 minutes of unlimited gameplay plus a chance to win up to 1,000 tickets.

Fantasy Football Draft Party

Seasonal (Fall)

Book your Fantasy Football Draft Party to enjoy great food, atmosphere, drinks.

Holiday Parties

Seasonal (Christmas, New Year's)

Tailored packages

Host festive Christmas celebrations or lively New Year's bashes with dedicated event planners.

🍎Food Policy

  • Outside cake or cupcakes are allowed for parties if they are store-bought (no ice cream or ice cream cakes).
  • Food allergies: Inform special events representative before booking a party.
  • Warning: Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, fish/shellfish or eggs may increase risk of foodborne illness.
  • Happy Hour/Wing Specials: Dine-in only, no takeout bags.

🛡️Safety Policy

  • Dave & Buster’s aims to ensure all guests have the safest fun possible.

📅Booking Policy

  • Party bookings for 20 guests or less can be made online.
  • For groups larger than 20, contact a Party Planner.
  • Advanced booking notice for parties varies by location from 72 hours up to 14 days due to regional restrictions. If outside the booking window, guests are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis for restaurant dining.
  • Birthday party booking requires a signed contract and a 50% nonrefundable deposit.
  • Event space courtesy hold: Space can be held for 72 hours after booking without a deposit, depending on the event date. After 72 hours, a deposit is required to guarantee the space.
  • Payment accepted by credit card or cash for deposits.
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Sep 29, 2025

What People Say

What's Great

  • Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 8 reviews)
  • Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 5 reviews)
  • Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Troy Gordon

Troy Gordon

in the last week

I visited this Dave & Buster’s on a Saturday evening, knowing it’s one of the busier locations. While I expected a chaotic experience, it wasn’t as overwhelming as I had feared. Pros: • Fun Experience: Despite some minor issues, we had a great time, and the child especially enjoyed it, which made the visit worthwhile. • Friendly Staff: The employees were professional and polite, contributing to a positive atmosphere. • Winning Moment: I managed to hit the jackpot on one of the games, which definitely helped lift my mood. Cons: • Uncomfortable Heat: The arcade was extremely warm, so if you’re visiting in the winter, bring a bag to store your jacket. A small portable fan might also be helpful. • Broken Games: One of my favorite games was perpetually out of order (see pictures), which was disappointing. • Bag Management: If you’re planning to go shopping beforehand, either visit Dave & Buster’s first or have someone watch over your bags—otherwise, it can be a hassle. Final Thoughts Overall, we had a good time despite the minor inconveniences. With a little preparation—bringing a fan and a bag for jackets—you can make the experience more comfortable. Would I return? Yes, but I’d be better prepared next time.

Thao N.

Thao N.

4 weeks ago

We had a great time at the Times Square Dave & Busters Times. Whoever runs this operation deserves a gold star because we wound up staying all day (6-7hrs). Which I had not planned. Had lunch and dinner there. Great food server’s Kim, Anthony, Harrison and even the security guard was friendly. As someone dropped their lotion and the security guy thought it was mine and tried to return it to me but it wasn’t. The servers did a great job clearing the table, bringing over a glass of water, checking in every so often. The person at the prize counter (whose name I think is Annie?) was very friendly. I actually saw people throughout the day cleaning, wiping down the bar (on their knees!), testing and fixing game machines. It made for an enjoyable experience that made me want to return. I had a fun time with the unlimited winter pass, spending time playing games with my kids. With the pass, we could earn 2k tickets a week but we got to try so many new games. We could also get 30% off on food. Surprisingly the food was delicious (cheese stack, buffalo chicken flatbread, creamy chicken pasta, Caesar salad, elote cauliflower, and the best strawberry cheesecake). While eating, we could enjoy watching sports games and when we requested to play basketball, and they were able to put it on which enhanced the eating experience. It’s a great place to get a pass a use during the winter months.

Diana mella santos

Diana mella santos

a month ago

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Dave & Buster's, and I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful our experience was, largely thanks to the exceptional service provided by the manager, Travis. From the moment we walked in, Travis greeted us with a warm smile and made us feel right at home. He was not only welcoming but also incredibly attentive, taking the time to ensure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. His enthusiasm for providing excellent customer service truly stood out, and it made our visit all the more enjoyable. Travis went above and beyond to recommend some of the best games to try in the arcade and even suggested delicious menu items that we couldn’t resist. His knowledge of the offerings was impressive, and his passion for creating a fun and enjoyable atmosphere was contagious.

Cynthia Isabel

Cynthia Isabel

3 months ago

John and Jhon are both so attentive and provided the best customer service. Food is always a hit and the drinks were hitting me even more. Didn’t feel like we were at Times Square at all. Felt like I was introduced to Dave and Buster personally

A. Kasper

A. Kasper

a month ago

Food was the typical bar food-fare. Comparable to BWW and Chili's nothing special. Interesting mocktails. Good specials that come with a game card. Only thing about this location is that the game room isn't very big, and a lots of the games you might expect at any D&B or even traditional ones you are looking for are missing.

Contact Information

234 W 42nd St 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.2
Total Reviews9519
Recent Reviews5