The Ultimate Summer Combo: Mocktails, Arcade Games, and Dave & Buster's in Gloucester Township, NJ

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Is it really summer if you haven't spent way too much time (and money) in an arcade?

I don't think so.

One thing that makes me a little sad is that so many arcades have ditched the classic paper tickets in favor of electronic point systems. I get it, it's probably cheaper and easier, but nothing beats watching a waterfall of tickets spill out of a machine after hitting the jackpot. Boooooo!

Our all-time favorite arcade is Morey's Piers in Wildwood, where you still get a fun mix of paper tickets, electronic points, and bonus games. We've walked away with some amazing prizes over the years, including my beloved Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Champions blanket, which is still one of my favorite arcade wins ever.

A Fun South Jersey Arcade Fact

Did you know Skee-Ball was invented in 1908 by Joseph Forester Simpson in Vineland, New Jersey? The game quickly became a sensation on the Atlantic City Boardwalk before spreading across the country.

South Jersey has been creating arcade memories for well over a century!

Escaping the Shore Crowds at Dave & Buster's Gloucester Township

As much as I love the Jersey Shore, summer means packed parking lots, beach traffic, and crowds everywhere you turn.

When we're craving arcade games without fighting the shore traffic, we head to Dave & Buster's in Gloucester Township, NJ.

The Atlantic City location is great too, but during the summer we'd rather avoid the beach crowds. Gloucester Township can definitely get busy, but it's not the kind of busy where you can smell the guy next to you busy.

A Restaurant + Arcade? The Perfect Combination

The first Dave & Buster's opened back in 1982 after two neighboring business owners noticed customers constantly bouncing between their establishments.

Dave owned an arcade. Buster owned a restaurant.

Eventually, they combined the two concepts, creating what has become one of the country's most popular entertainment destinations. Today, with more than 170 locations across North America, Dave & Buster's is known for great food, exciting arcade games, fun prizes...

...and, most importantly...

They Have a Mocktail Menu!

You already know that's enough to get me through the front door.

Even better, our Gloucester Township location is currently offering an Eat & Play Combo. You purchase a game card and can add an entrée for just $5. Honestly? That's a fantastic deal.

Two Visits in One Week? Don't Mind If We Do.

Our week was a little chaotic, so somehow we ended up making two trips to Dave & Buster's.

When you arrive, you can either grab a table first or head straight into the arcade. We chose to eat first on both visits and were seated almost immediately. If you're just stopping in for drinks or appetizers, you can also grab a seat right at the bar.

Mocktail Review 🍹

No-Kick Blueberry Mule 

This one was my favorite.

The gorgeous pale purple color immediately caught my attention, but the flavor kept me coming back. Sweet blueberry pairs perfectly with the spicy kick of ginger beer for a mocktail that's refreshing, fruity, and incredibly easy to drink. I could sip on these all day.

Pink Dragon Spritz 


Made with dragon fruit, soda water, citrus sour, and topped with a beautiful dried dragon fruit chip, this mocktail was absolutely Instagram-worthy. It leaned more bubbly than fruity, but it was still refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness.

The Food

To be completely honest… We were much more excited about winning tickets than eating.

On our first visit, I took advantage of the Eat & Play Combo and ordered the Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad. The chicken was juicy with a perfectly crispy coating, and the salad was the ideal size, and not too heavy before several hours of running around the arcade.

Even better, I was able to reload my game card while we were eating. Talk about efficiency.

During our second visit, we kept things simple and shared:

  • Creamy Mac & Cheese

  • Brownie Sundae

The mac and cheese was exactly what you'd expect. Creamy, cheesy, and comforting. Nothing revolutionary, but definitely satisfying.

The Brownie Sundae, however… Now THAT deserves its own moment.

A giant warm brownie topped with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, caramel, whipped cream, and the classic cherry on top.

It was rich, gooey, chocolatey, and exactly the comfort dessert I needed after a rough week. Sometimes dessert really is therapy.

Time to Win Some Tickets!

Once we finished eating, it was time for the main event. The arcade!

I'm always drawn to the classics:

  • Skee-Ball

  • Drop ball jackpot games

  • Ring Toss

  • Fish Bowl Frenzy

  • Any game that reminds me of a carnival

Meanwhile, Joe immediately disappears into the coin pushers and card collection games. If there are collectible cards involved, that's where you'll find him.

Once we've hit a couple jackpots and earned enough tickets, we're happy campers.

Why Arcades Never Get Old

Arcades have been entertaining people for more than 100 years. During the Great Depression, pinball exploded in popularity. Over the decades, arcades evolved into massive entertainment centers filled with racing simulators, giant screens, virtual reality experiences, and prize games.

Technology has changed. The games have changed. Even the tickets have changed.

But that feeling of hitting a jackpot and hearing the machine go crazy? That never gets old.

I'm incredibly lucky to have a husband who's just as competitive, and just as willing to act like a kid, as I am. Whether we're exploring South Jersey restaurants, searching for the best mocktails, or spending an afternoon trying to win enough tickets for another ridiculous prize, we're always making memories together.

If you're looking for one of the best indoor summer activities in South Jersey, I highly recommend spending a few hours at Dave & Buster's in Gloucester Township.

Bonus points if you order a mocktail while you're there. Because every great arcade deserves great drinks, too.

Until next time,

The SNJ Sober Party Girl

⭐ Final Sober Party Girl Score: 10/10



🎉 Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

  • 🎮 Huge arcade selection with classic games, modern favorites, and jackpot machines

  • 🍹 Mocktail menu available! Two fun alcohol-free options that are actually flavorful

  • 💙 No-Kick Blueberry Mule is a must-try

  • 🍽️ Great Eat & Play Combo offers excellent value

  • 🥗 Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad was fresh, filling, and delicious

  • 🍨 Brownie Sundae was absolutely amazing—warm, gooey, and perfect for sharing

  • 🎟️ Great ticket-to-prize ratio with plenty of prizes to choose from

  • 🏆 Fun for couples, families, and groups of friends

  • 🚗 Gloucester Township location is a great alternative to crowded Jersey Shore arcades in the summer

  • ❄️ Perfect indoor activity for hot, rainy, or humid South Jersey days

❌ Cons

  • 📱 Most games use digital points instead of classic paper tickets (bring back the ticket waterfalls!)

  • 💸 Arcade games can get expensive if you don't pace yourself

  • 🧀 Mac & Cheese was good, but nothing particularly memorable

  • 🎯 Winning jackpots can be addicting... goodbye, game card balance!

  • ⏰ It's way too easy to lose track of time and spend your entire afternoon there.
Location: 100 Premium Outlets Dr, Blackwood, NJ 08012, USA

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