March 23, 2022

Opening day at the new Sioux Falls Dave & Buster’s is less than two weeks away, and the finishing touches are being put in place.

“We’re doing great,” general manager Jared Hilliard said, adding anything nonfood will arrive for the kitchen Thursday, along with prizes for the redemption center.

The games are already in and fired up, though.

“There are quite a few games I’ve never seen,” Hilliard said, pointing to a giant digital Monopoly-themed game, a Willy Wonka-themed coin-pusher game and a Jurassic Park-themed game of skill.

Hilliard, who opened up a Dave & Buster’s in his hometown of Anchorage, Alaska, has a sense of what he’s getting into with opening day April 4 at Lake Lorraine. The plan is to station “ambassadors” outside the door to monitor capacity and then establish a line outside.

Reservations aren’t available.

“I understand the brand-new shiny toy we have,” he said. “I’m excited. You get a shiny new toy, and everybody wants to come out.”

Dave & Buster’s lives by the slogan “Eat, play, drink, watch” and you’ll find it all here, Hilliard continued.

The menu is American bar-style food, featuring burgers, flatbreads, nachos, wings, pastas, salads and sandwiches.

There are 22 signature cocktails on the menu.

“We are 18 and up unless you are accompanied by an adult,” Hilliard added.

Hiring has gone well, he said. There have been about 110 people brought on board, though there are still opportunities to add others in anticipation of turnover.

“We will always continue to hire,” Hilliard said. “We’re going to have a slightly enhanced service model, adding more services support to expedite drink running and clearing tables a little quicker.”

Hours will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and 11 a.m. to midnight Wednesday through Saturday, though they could vary depending on sporting events.