HONOLULU (KHON2) — Mark your calendars! The new Dave & Buster’s in Ala Moana is slated to open in just two months. KHON2 was able to get a sneak peek inside.
“As you walk in you have our dining area on the left and probably one of the largest bars on island in the middle and then it opens up into the game area,” Dave & Buster’s Managing Partner Andrew Shimabukuro explained.
The new Dave & Busters 2.0 is just about ready.
“We’re about 80% there,” he said. “We’re putting final touches in and we’ll be ready for our grand opening in April.”
Shimabukuro said April 14 is the big day, barring any hiccups.
The space, once home to Shirokiya on the bottom floor of Ala Moana Shopping Center, is even bigger than the current multi-level Ward location.
It has a beer garden, six social bays, VIP room, banquet rooms, a bar that seats 49 people and a dining area, in addition to a massive game room.
The new location boasts even more games than before and includes fan favorites like NBA hoops, to new games like the Arena, a fully interactive gaming experience, that’s exclusive to Dave & Buster’s.
Everything from the floor, walls and even the ceiling are part of the game.
“It’s like you’re stepping into the game and playing it,” he said.
They’re also bringing in a game called the human crane.
“We’re actually going to strap a human being to the end of a crane and you’re going to get lowered into a pit and you pick up as much as you want,” he explained.
Unlike the Ward location, Shimabukuro said there will be ample parking.
“Now with Ala Moana up there’s over 9,000 spaces. It’s going to be huge for us.”
The current location is slated to close on April 1. All those games will either be shipped to the mainland, tossed out or sold. But he said a few could be given away in a contest where entrants share their favorite memories of Dave & Buster’s Ward location.
“We’ll pick the top five stories and we’re looking right now possibly giving five of the top video games away,” Shimabukuro said.
More details to come.
He said they will also be announcing fun ways for guests to win tickets to the VIP night and grand opening.
“There’s more to do, more to see, the technology is far more advanced than it used to be,” he said. “Guests are going to be amazed when they walk in the door.”
According to Shimabukuro, they are planning to hire 80 people, in addition to the employees coming over from Ward.