What is "DAVE BUSTER" on my bank statement?
DAVE BUSTER is a legitimate charge from Dave & Buster's, the restaurant-and-arcade entertainment chain.
Merchant: Dave & Buster's | Category: Entertainment
What Is This Charge?
A charge from Dave & Buster's reflects a purchase at the restaurant-and-arcade entertainment chain founded in 1982. Dave & Buster's operates about 160 locations across the United States and Canada, and it combines food, drinks, arcade games, and event bookings in one venue. The merchant category is Entertainment, and the charge usually comes from an in-store visit, a game card reload, or a food and beverage purchase. A statement line that says DAVE BUSTER is usually a legitimate card transaction from Dave & Buster's.
Why Does This Charge Appear on My Statement?
This charge appears when you pay for food, drinks, arcade credits, or an event at a Dave & Buster's location. It can also appear after you reload a Power Card, buy game chips, or place a deposit for a party or group event. Some charges post a day or two after the visit because the card terminal sends the final amount after the venue closes the ticket. If you used a card for a preauthorization hold, the pending amount can later settle at the final purchase amount.
Typical Charge Amounts
A typical Dave & Buster's visit often posts as $15, $25, $50, or $100 depending on how much game play or food you bought. A Power Card reload commonly shows as $10, $20, $25, $50, or $100. Event deposits and group bookings can post as $50, $100, $250, or more before the final bill is settled. If you see a temporary card hold, it is often $1, $5, or the full ticket estimate before the final charge replaces it.
Common Variations
Common descriptor strings include DAVE BUSTER, DAVE & BUSTER, DAVEBUSTERS, DAVE BUSTERS, and DAVE BUSTER'S. Some card statements also show a store number or city code, such as DAVE BUSTER 1234, DAVE BUSTERS #1234, or DAVE & BUSTER'S 1234 TX. The merchant name may appear without punctuation, with an ampersand, or with an apostrophe. The location code usually helps identify which Dave & Buster's venue processed the payment.
Is This Charge Legitimate?
Start by checking whether anyone in your household visited Dave & Buster's, bought a Power Card, or booked an event. Next, compare the statement date and amount with your receipt, email confirmation, or card wallet history in the Dave & Buster's app or website at https://www.daveandbusters.com. You can also call Dave & Buster's guest services at 1-888-300-1515 to ask for transaction details and location verification. If the charge still looks unfamiliar, contact your bank or card issuer right away and ask for a cardholder dispute review.
How to Dispute or Cancel
1. Call Dave & Buster's guest services at 1-888-300-1515 and ask for the store location, date, and transaction reference. 2. Save your receipt, confirmation email, and any app history before you dispute the charge. 3. If the charge was for food, games, or an event, ask the merchant whether they can refund it under their local store policy or event terms. 4. If the merchant cannot resolve it, file a dispute with your bank or card issuer and report the charge as unauthorized or incorrect. Dave & Buster's does not operate as a subscription service for normal in-store purchases, so there is usually nothing to cancel unless you enrolled in a specific event, membership, or promotional program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Dave & Buster's charge show as DAVE BUSTER?
Dave & Buster's can shorten its card descriptor to DAVE BUSTER when the payment processor truncates punctuation or location text. The charge still usually comes from a real visit, a Power Card reload, or an event deposit at a Dave & Buster's location. Check your receipt, email confirmation, or card history to match the amount and date.
How do I cancel my Dave & Buster's subscription?
Dave & Buster's does not usually bill as a subscription for normal arcade or restaurant purchases, so there is often nothing to cancel. If you enrolled in a membership, event package, or promotional program, contact guest services at 1-888-300-1515 and ask for the cancellation terms tied to your specific purchase. Keep the confirmation email and ask for written proof of cancellation.
Why is my Dave & Buster's charge a different amount than expected?
The amount can differ because a card hold was placed first and the final charge settled later, or because tax, gratuity, game reloads, or an event deposit were added. A temporary authorization may show as $1, $5, or an estimated ticket amount before the final posted charge replaces it. Compare the statement with your receipt and ask the location to explain any split payments or partial captures.
Can Dave & Buster's charges include game card reloads?
Yes, Dave & Buster's charges often include Power Card reloads for arcade play. Reloads commonly post as $10, $20, $25, $50, or $100, and they may appear separately from food or drink purchases. If you see multiple charges, one may be for the meal and another may be for game credits.
What should I do if I never visited Dave & Buster's?
If you never visited Dave & Buster's, first check whether a family member used your card, then compare the merchant location code with your travel history. Call 1-888-300-1515 to ask for the store and transaction details, and then contact your bank to dispute the charge if it remains unauthorized. If your card was lost or stolen, request a replacement card immediately.
Similar Charges
- DAVE BUSTER
- DAVE & BUSTER
- DAVEBUSTERS
- DAVE BUSTERS
- DAVE BUSTER'S