You’re standing in the middle of Westgate Entertainment District. The fountains are dancing, the neon lights from the AMC are humming, and the smell of wood-fired pizza from nearby spots is hitting you hard. But you aren’t here for a quiet dinner. You’re looking for that specific brand of loud, chaotic fun that only Dave and Busters Westgate provides.
Most people think they know the drill. You walk in, buy a plastic card, lose at Skee-Ball, and leave with a neon green eraser. Honestly? That’s the rookie way to do it. If you’re just treating this place like a glorified Chuck E. Cheese for adults, you’re missing the actual value—and probably overpaying by about fifty bucks.
The Mid-Week Power Move
Let's talk about timing because it’s everything. If you show up on a Saturday night, be prepared to fight for your life. The crowds are thick, the noise level is "jet engine," and you’ll wait twenty minutes just to get a turn on the Halo Fireteam Raven cabinet.
Half-price Wednesdays are the open secret everyone knows but nobody prepares for properly. Every single game—from the massive VR setups to the retro Pac-Man—is 50% off all day. If you’re a local or just staying near State Farm Stadium for a bowl game, this is the only time to go if you actually care about your "chips to tickets" ratio.
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Interestingly, while most people flock to the arcade, the sports bar side is actually one of the best places in Glendale to watch a game. They’ve got these massive screens that make the ones at Buffalo Wild Wings look like iPads. During NFL season, especially when the Cardinals are playing literally right across the street, the energy here is electric. It’s "stadium sound" without the $150 ticket price.
Food: More Than Just "Bar Grub"
People love to hate on arcade food. I get it. Usually, it’s soggy fries and sadness. But the menu at Dave and Busters Westgate has had a bit of a glow-up recently.
You’ve got the All-American Smashed Burger, which is actually decent, but the real sleeper hit is the Fire-Grilled Salmon. Yes, salmon at an arcade. It sounds like a gamble, but it’s rubbed with Louisiana spices and served over rice pilaf. It’s surprisingly high-effort for a place where someone is screaming "JACKPOT" every five minutes in the next room.
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If you’re with a group, skip the individual entrees. Grab the Caveman Combo. It’s basically a mountain of ribs, sliders, and fries. It’s messy, it’s excessive, and it’s the only way to fuel up before a three-hour session of trying to win a PlayStation 5 at the prize counter.
The Math of the Prize Counter
Here is where most people get scammed by their own ambition. That giant plush unicorn? It costs about 12,000 tickets. In real-world money, if you aren't playing on a Wednesday, you’re essentially buying that $10 stuffed animal for about $60 in gameplay.
If you want to walk away feeling like a winner, look for the "Blue Swipe" games. These are non-ticket games—things like air hockey or racing simulators. They don't give you prizes, but the play time lasts longer. If you’re strictly hunting for tickets, the Zombie Snatcher or the Quik Drop are your best bets if you have even a modicum of hand-eye coordination.
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Avoid the "claws." Seriously. They are fun for thirty seconds of tension, but at Dave and Busters Westgate, the payout algorithms on those machines are notoriously tight. Stick to the skill-based stuff if you want that fancy blender or the iPad.
Hidden Specials You Should Know
- Military Mondays: If you’ve got a military ID, you get a free $10 Power Card and 15% off food.
- Teacher Tuesdays: Same deal. It’s a nice nod to the local Glendale educators who probably need a drink after a day at school.
- Late Night Happy Hour: Sunday through Thursday, starting at 10:00 PM. The $5 "Lime Time" Margaritas are a vibe if you’re trying to wind down after a concert at Desert Diamond Arena.
Why the Location Matters
The Dave and Busters Westgate isn't just a standalone building; it’s part of the Westgate ecosystem. This is a huge advantage. If the wait for a table is an hour (which happens often on Friday nights), you can literally walk out the door, grab a beer at State 48 Funk House, and your phone will buzz when your table is ready.
Parking can be a nightmare during events. If there’s a concert or a game at the stadium, expect to pay for parking. A pro tip? Check the stadium schedule before you head out. If the Cardinals are home, the traffic on the 101 will be backed up to Peoria. Avoid those windows unless you're actually going to the game.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
- Download the App First: Don't stand in the cashier line like it’s 2005. Download the Dave & Buster’s app, load your card there, and skip the kiosk entirely. You often get "Buy $20, Get $20" coupons in the app that aren't available at the front desk.
- The "Eat & Play" Combo: If you’re planning to eat dinner, this is non-negotiable. You get an entree and a $10 Power Card for a bundled price. It basically makes the games half-price by default.
- Check the "Winner’s Circle" First: Before you spend a single chip, walk to the prize shop. See what you actually want. If the "big" prizes are out of stock, don't bother grinding for tickets. Just play for fun.
- Reserve a Pool Table: If the arcade is too chaotic, they have billiards. You can usually reserve these for about $12 an hour. It’s the "adult" corner where you can actually hear your friends speak.
Dave and Busters Westgate is what you make of it. It can be an expensive, loud headache, or it can be a strategic night of cheap drinks and high-score hunting. Just don't buy the eraser. Honestly, you're better than that.
Stop by the front desk on your way out to register your card. If you lose it, they can transfer your balance and tickets to a new one. Without that registration, your 5,000 hard-earned tickets vanish the second that card slips out of your pocket in the parking lot.