Dave & Buster’s Bristol launches flag hunt before Oct. 12 opening

Dave & Buster’s is opening a new 30,152-square-foot Bristol, Tennessee location on Oct. 12 and is promoting the launch with a city-wide flag hunt from Sept. 29 to Oct. 3. Five winners will each get a $100 gift card and an invite to an exclusive VIP Preview Party.

Why it matters: - The Bristol opening gives the entertainment chain a new foothold in a growing local market. - The flag hunt is designed to build early customer engagement before the store opens to the public. - The venue is being positioned as a group-event destination for corporate outings, team-building events, holiday parties and birthdays.

What happened: - Dave & Buster’s is preparing to open at 567 Pinnacle Parkway in Bristol, Tennessee, on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. - The company is running a city-wide flag hunt from Tuesday, Sept. 29, through Saturday, Oct. 3. - Five hidden Dave & Buster’s flags have been placed around the Bristol area. - Each day, one winner who finds a flag will receive a $100 gift card and an invitation to a VIP event for five. - The daily clues will be posted at More information.

The details: - The Bristol site spans 30,152 square feet. - The location will include more than 100 arcade games. - The venue will feature a chef-crafted food menu, handcrafted drinks and a sports bar. - The VIP Preview Party will give winners an early look at the new location before it opens to the public. - Contest rules say winners can only win one flag. - The offer cannot be combined with other promotions, and other restrictions may apply. - Full contest details are available at the contest page. - Group bookings are now open through event inquiries.

Between the lines: - The launch mixes a local scavenger hunt with a retail opening to create buzz and drive first visits. - Dave & Buster’s is also signaling that the Bristol site should generate traffic beyond walk-in play through private events and celebrations. - The company’s broader footprint includes Dave & Buster’s and Main Event brands, which helps show how Bristol fits into a larger entertainment portfolio.

What's next: - Daily clues will continue through Oct. 3 as the company reveals flag locations. - The VIP Preview Party will come before the public opening on Oct. 12. - The Bristol team will use the new location to target group sales and event bookings after launch.

The bottom line: - Dave & Buster’s is using a prize-driven scavenger hunt to turn a store opening into a community event and build momentum before day one.