Opinions please: Dave & Busters vs. ESPNZone...

[mom2boys]

for a 12 yr old boy's birthday party. I've never been to either - both are about an hour from us. I would be taking 8-10 boys - mostly 11 yr olds. It would be midday on a Monday - thanks to our screwy school calendar.
So is one better than the other?
Is it better to book a package or just show up with the gang?
Which option would be less expensive?

 

[mrsmom]

I never have been to espnzone but have taken my kids to dave and busters and we just show up there with other kids , I don't think it's bad price for their games at all, they play for a long time. I have four kids so they love the place.
Kim

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Never been to a ESPNZONE.

For Dave and Busters, if you gave them 20 bucks each on a card that is 160.00.

Not to mention each card has an activation fee of 2.50 or something like that.

It is fun. My dd's like to go there for birthday's.

 

[MoniqueU]

At least around here the Dave and Busters is about 10 times the size as the ESPN zone or it feels that way. More to do, more games. I think the food is about the same in my opinion. 20 bucks per kid on one of those cards might not go far. It seems to me I have always spent about 100 bucks on my 3 kids.