Visit Dave and Buster's In Providence, R.I. For Food, Drinks, and Games

Looking for a fun place to take a date in southern New England? Try Dave and Buster's at the Providence Place Mall. You can enjoy a delicious meal with drinks, play games in the Midway, and come home with new music on the I-pod.

Dining

I recently took my date out for dinner in their formal dining room, almost completely void of people on a Monday at 5 p.m., which was fine by us.

The restaurant's elegant atmosphere set the tone that encourages conversation and is free of televisions and memorabilia that dress the walls of many chain restaurants.

It is designed so that you cannot see the bar or arcade from the formal dining room.

Those looking for more casual dining can enjoy their food at tables next to the Midway.

Drinks

I ordered a Hawaiian Mai Tai priced at $7.09 and my date chose the Watermelon Margarita for $8.29.

The Hawaiian Mai Tai has Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Bacardi Superior rum, triple sec, lime, pineapple, and orange juices with a Myer's Original Dark Rum floater. It was so delicious I ordered a second.

I took a sip of my date's Watermelon Margarita which consisted of Hornitos Reposado 100% Blue Agave tequila, DeKuyper Watermelon Pucker, lime juice, and cranberry juice. It was equally as tasty.

Eat and Play Combo

I took advantage of the Eat and Play combination. There are 20 lunch and dinner entrées to choose from accompanied by a $10 game card with 48 chips or a $20 game card with 100 chips. The combo deals are available Sundays through Thursdays from open to close and Fridays and Saturdays from opening until 5 p.m.

For couples, I would recommend sharing a $20 game card.

I ordered the Peppercorn Sirloin with a $20 game card for $27.99. The delicious steak was cooked well-done, to my liking, and came with flavorful mashed potatoes with cheese and Dave and Buster's unique thinly-shaped onion rings. Their onion rings look similar to hash browns.

Other Food Choices

My date ordered Mac! & Cheese for $12.39. The dish consisted of grilled seasoned chicken breast and applewood smoked bacon with Cavatappi pasta and creamy aged sharp cheddar cheese sauce. The dish was topped with a garlic breadcrumb crust and baked brown. She enjoyed the dish a lot.

Desserts

I couldn't pass up the Banana Foster Pie for $6.69, one of six delicious desserts featured on their menu.

This delicious treat features chilled banana pudding and vanilla sponge cake layered in a scrumptious cinnamon-graham pastry with rum sauce and warm caramel.

Power Card Promotions

Their new Power Card Rewards Program allows one to receive $10 of game play for every $100 spent on food, beverages or games.

The points are good for 12 months and the game play expires after 45 days.

As a member, I have received monthly e-mail $10 game play coupons. New members receive $10 free game play after registering at a kiosk or at the Dave and Buster's Website.

Using the Power Card at the Games

To play games at the Midway, you need to purchase a Power Card and load it with your money at any kiosk.

I recommend getting a $25 recharge which will add 135 chips and provide you with plenty of game time fun.

Be aware though that each game requires a different number of chips. As you swipe your card at the game, the chips are withdrawn and the remaining balance is displayed.

To play the old-school coin drop or pinball machines, visit any token machine to receive coins with the Dave and Buster's logo.

When I was there, the Power Card registers in the middle of the Midway were unstaffed but for help, go to the main lobby.

To add the tickets you win from the games to the card, see a representative in the Winner's Circle redemption area.

What are the Midway Games?

Each location has about 150 electronic games, both skill-based and non-skill based, in addition to billiards tables. Larger locations have shuffleboard and bowling.

What you won't find here, unlike the casinos or arcades along the Jersey shore, are slot machines, video poker, or similar video-type games.

While most of the games I played were functioning, there was a couple that had a ticket jam. I looked around for an attendant but couldn't find one. My date didn't mind since we were playing off of a free $10 game play coupon.

My favorite games included Super Trivia, Wheel of Fortune, Skeeball, and Dave and Buster's Downs.

D&B Downs allows multiple players to roll a small ball up a ramp and in a hole.

The holes are marked "Run," "Walk," or "Trot," and cause the corresponding horse on the board to move closer to the finish line.

A television commentator gives a play by play until the last horse finishes.

The winner receives the most tickets while others receive smaller amounts.

Music to One's Ears in Winner's Circle

While most of the prizes are standard fare for any arcade, one machine proves to make the redemption are extra special.

"Redeem Tickets for Music!," a colorful sign screams to those walking by. One can easily use a touch screen to use their tickets to download music directly to a CD or an I-pod.

Pick and choose tracks or download an entire album from one of thousands in categories ranging from Top 40, jazz, gospel, and pop.

The Power Card can be swiped at the machine and the machine, while a little slow, does all the work.

I redeemed my tickets for a trance two CD album and the soundtrack from the Alvin and the Chipmunks Squeakel movie.

Future of Dave and Busters

Dave and Buster's will open its second New England location in Braintree, Mass. in January 2012. It will be located in the former 35,000-square-foot Circuit City at the South Shore Plaza.

It is expected to cost $12 million to renovate the 40-year-old building, which was originally a movie theater.

170 electronic games will be installed along with 581 seats for diners who will be served by a staff of 150 people.

According to boston.com, a third location with 660 seats is being contemplated within sight of the Burlington Mall near the Route 128/3 intersection in the former Burlington Dodge.

The Dave and Buster's Website states that it will open a facility in Orlando, Florida on July 18, 2011 and one in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma December 2011.

Visiting the Providence Location

Dave and Buster's is located on the fourth floor of the Providence Place Mall at 40 Providence Place in Providence. It is located in the center of the mall above the food court and is on the same level as the National Amusements Cinema 16.

Visitors can park either in the stateside or cityside parking garage for $1 for 0-3 hours, $5 for 3-4 hours, $7 for 4-5 hours, $10 for 5-8 hours, and $20 for 8-10 hours.

Dave and Buster's is open Sundays through Thursdays 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Table 1-1:

Midway Game Costs: Power Cards can be recharged at kiosk and new cards are $2

$1: 3 chips
$5: 24 chips
$10: 48 chips
$20: 100 chips
$25: 135 chips
$35: 200 chips
$50: 300 chips
$75: 550 chips
$100: 750 chips

Each $1 spent is 1 Reward Point: $10 game play is earned after spending $100

Sources Used:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Providence_Place

http://www.daveandbusters.com/

http://www.patriotledger.com/business/x1599182011/Dave-Buster-s-may-open-soon

http://braintree.patch.com/articles/dave-busters-receives-amusement-license#c

http://bostonrestaurants.blogspot.com/2010/10/dave-busters-might-be-opening-in.html

http://blog.kadavy-inc.com/post/465860827/psychology-hacks-of-dave-busters