Dave & Buster's Winston-Salem

Dave & Buster's Winston-Salem

Reviews Summary

Mixed reviews overall. Many praise the fun atmosphere, games, and family-friendly environment, but food quality is inconsistent—often overcooked, undercooked, or overpriced. Service varies widely, with some staff being friendly and helpful while others are rude or slow. Complaints include long wait times, broken games, and poor management. High ratings highlight great experiences with servers and nostalgia, while low ratings cite terrible service, cold food, and hidden fees. Worth visiting for games, but dining is hit-or-miss.

About This Listing

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Virtual Reality
Has Pool Tables
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

What to Expect from Pool Tables in Arcades

Step up to a pool table and dive into a classic, hands-on game! Expect sturdy tables with smooth felt surfaces, cue sticks, and a set of numbered balls for games like 8-ball or 9-ball. You’ll chalk up, aim, and strike the cue ball to pocket balls with precision, mastering angles and spin. Tables are well-lit, often with vibrant designs, creating a lively atmosphere. Whether playing casually with friends or joining arcade tournaments, pool offers strategic, social fun that’s easy to pick up and endlessly engaging in 2025.

What to Expect from Virtual Reality in Arcades

Step into virtual reality for a breathtaking adventure! Arcade VR stations boast advanced headsets (like Oculus or HTC Vive), motion controllers, and sometimes full-body tracking or treadmills. You’ll dive into games like Beat Saber or VR shooters, swinging, dodging, or aiming in 360-degree worlds with vivid visuals and immersive sound. Gameplay spans solo quests to multiplayer battles, with intuitive controls for all levels. Arcades offer vibrant, social VR zones, delivering a thrilling, cutting-edge experience in 2025.

How Arcade Prize Games Work

Dive into the excitement of arcade prize games! Expect claw machines, skee-ball, whack-a-mole, or basketball challenges where you test your skills or luck to win tickets or prizes directly. Claw games require precise joystick control to grab toys, while redemption games reward accuracy with tickets to trade for plushies, gadgets, or trinkets at prize counters. Modern setups boast colorful displays and smooth mechanics, blending nostalgia with fresh fun. The thrill of winning and the vibrant arcade vibe make prize games a captivating draw in 2025.

Features

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Virtual Reality
Has Pool Tables
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

3320 Silas Creek Pkwy #300

Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103

Hours

Monday 10AM-12AM
Tuesday 10AM-12AM
Wednesday 10AM-12AM
Thursday 10AM-12AM
Friday 10AM-1AM
Saturday 10AM-1AM
Sunday 10AM-12AM

Customer Reviews

I have been to the location in Winston-Salem, NC, a few times before, and I have always had a great time, and this time was no different. Since my last visit a few years ago, they have added some new games, which is always a welcome surprise. A new game that caught my attention was the life-sized Hungry, Hungry Hippos game. Playing it in a bigger version was fun than the board game we all played as kids and brought back some good nostalgia. While I did not have a bad experience here, I will say that you sh

A really good Dave and Busters. The food is a lot better than you'd expect for an arcade themed place. The service is good and me and the kids have a blast playing the games. I had a problem with a game not working right, brought it up to the staff, and without asking for anything, the manager comped me a lot of extra tickets. He handled it superbly and I appreciated it. Really helped my little daughters have a lot of fun!

Had a great time playing so many of the great games while visiting Winston-Salem! Will definitely be back in the future!

The food was delicious the server at the bar was amazing her name was Summer . My grandsons had a wonderful time

I don't have much to say, except for yikes. Food and service is slow and very mid. It's fun for games but I wouldn't come for the food.

I had a great time here on Saturday evening! Went for a first date. Food was good, our wait staff was nice and the arcade was great. I like how it's large enough to walk around in and play a variety of games, but also to just chat. I'll definitely return in the future!

Such a fun place, for people of all ages! Good food, great games, service was amazing! Very clean, family friendly or a great date place as well! Highly recommend. :-)

Wasnt too crowded people played games and moved on...fun time

First time at this location. People were friendly and it was clean. The games looked well maintained and functioning. Would eat here again. Even though it took over an hr to get wings.

Food is pricey. It was fairly good food but I don't think worth the cost. The games are very fun and a good pace to have fun with the family.

Great experience, good food! Our server was excellent ??

My waiter never appeared while I had been seated for almost 10 minutes by the host. The truth is that I even felt discriminated against for being Latino because other tables were being served well. After I asked two waiters, one of them said, "I see you've been sitting here for a long time and I can't find your waiter. I'll take your order." Two managers came by and I told them, but nothing changed. I even had to ask for napkins and cutlery. I've been to others D&B and they have many more machines, space, f

We got here at 9:30. The waiter approached us & took our drinks at our table of 6. It was a bit awkward because the instead of speaking to each individual at the table, he would quietly wait for someone to order their drink. We weren't sure if he was waiting, writing, or what. Awkward but polite. We ordered 3 of the gaming and entree combos. One went smoothly, he asked if she had a card, she said no & he stated he would bring her a new one. The waiter then asked if i had a physical card to which I explained

Great place to eat, drink, & play!! Had delicious food, delicious drinks, & played lots of fun games!! I must say that the price for the games are pretty decent. 400 tokens isn't too expensive and the whole family can play for more than an hour with it! ????

Staff is nice the games are fun and we always have a blast! It's a little pricey but worth the fun!

The food is just ok. The prices are very high. It is very fun to have a family outing.

First time visiting a Dave & Busters. The food was very disappointing. I had the chicken queso nachos and they were awful. There was hardly any queso or chicken, mostly a plate of chips. The waitress came by 2 times in 3 hours. The arcade was nostalgic and we had a decent time there; a bit pricey though.

Everyone in the family had a really fun time! My 3 year old daughter and 7 year old son really had an amazing time with such a huge variety of games! It's one of the best arcades and you can even get food and drinks ?? inside the arcade. We spent around $30 and it lasted an hour's worth of games. A tall beer was $9. They also have a little prize area to exchange your points for small trinkets. The prizes are typical of an arcade, and we look forward to going back. The music is pretty loud and it is difficul

Glad there was no hostess and the whole place smells like weed. My mom had to take our order and tell the bartender. Maybe don't hire lazy ass people.

Awesome server!!! Owen was so nice and very helpful with the menu. The food was awesome but the games were even better :) felt like a kid again :)

Friendly staff and very fun atmosphere. Alejandra was great with our table. She was so sweet.

Came on my birthday, it was a Thursday. Nothing super was going on, pretty slow in there. I sat at the bar and ordered a birthday shot? when i went to order something else I couldn't find anyone. I understand it was slow so everyone taking a break , but I just left and went somewhere else. Other than that, great place.

My sister-in-law and I visited this Dave & Buster?s on Mother?s Day, looking forward to a fun, kid free afternoon. We had already spent over $100 between food and game chips, but several of the games weren't working properly, chips were deducted from our card, but the games either glitched or wouldn't start at all. We let the manager know, he scanned my card and left. I thought he left to put the chips back on my card but when he finally returned, he told us, ?I saw you both playing on the cameras, so the

If i could give this place 0 stars i would, we came in got drinks, told the lady who is on each bill, and she messed it, we ordered appetizers and she never bought them out till we had to ask for them. We were missing our entrees and they gave the wrong ones out, and they never gave one of my family?s food so we said forget it. When we finally got our food (some of us). it wasn't even the right food. I was very disappointed, that some of my family ended up not getting food and some got the wrong food.

didn't have any food. Lot of families there so good atmosphere. Some machines broke but not signed machines

Great service. Thomas (manager) and Jaylen (server) were awesome. Attentive to our needs

didn't eat any food. ate before we went. bit had the best time. my 5 year old loved going with his older cousin for his birthday and it was something we could all do!

Absolutely loved you guys! Made me an old fashion! Which I loved! & when I lost my playing card?ya all helped! Amazing! Absolutely amazing people! Wish I had names to shout out but I'm sooo terrible w memory! Oh also?they have Hendricks! Best Gin Ever!

I love the remodel. Played the electronic darts and that's was a good time. All the staff is super friendly and attentive. The food was fantastic, nachos, cheese sticks, potstickers and Philly cheesesteak egg rolls Can't wait to go back again

So the games are great. There are games that can appeal to a wide range of people. We also ate in the Dave and Busters restaurant part. When we sat down, no one initially came to help us (seat yourself). So I got up to ask if someone could please take our order and they said they didn't know who area was the area we were sitting in. Then I found someone else and they finally told us the area we were in was closed for the weekend. There was a party of about 10 people in our area also, but they said that was

Was not very pleased with this location. As soon as we walked in, the hostess was anything but friendly. Did not feel welcomed. We had around a 40 minute wait and that was completely fine with us, as we had time to play in the game room. However, when we finally got our table we sat for over 30 minutes without anyone coming to take our orders. The management is definitely not coordinated as we had many confused people come to our table. Overall not a good experience.

Gianfranco was very friendly beautiful smile help me with ordering food for 2 little kids and he kept checking on us to make sure we were okay. I will be back to eat here. The food was delicious.

It was OK but I feel that it was a bit pricy for you to have fun and the food was alright nice place to take your family for a nice family fun night just as long as you have the money to spend

The waitress we had was ok. Not bad but not great. The sheriff officer that was on duty there was a little too involved/ weird. He was questioning kids about if they were there with an adult.

If you loved the video arcade when you were younger, then this is the place for you! Management was friendly and allowed us to rent a huge chunk of their seated space and had staff on hand to assist with food and beverages. Service was quick and promt and the staff was accommodating and friendly. Highly recommend if you are looking for a night of nastalgia or if you're looking for something to beat the winter blues with the kids. Looking forward to visiting the Wilmington, NC location.

Service was excellent! Food was good and it was exactly what you would expect from a dave and buster. Arcade sports bar.

Went on a company function middle of a Wednesday, let me tell you it was horrifically slow. We wanted to drink but it took so long we each got only one drink we were there 2 and a half hours and got ONE DRINK!!! Food wasn't bad though.

We love visiting this location, the staff are always so friendly and the place is always clean and the atmosphere is perfect for adults and kids!

Arcade was amazing. A few of the attractions were down but otherwise it was great! Food would have been great had they not burned the sandwich and threw together the nachos so horribly thay the queso was mainly on the parchment and not the chips. Our server was a bit rude and pushy to get us to close our check even though there was no wait. So we stopped ordering drinks and skipped dessert.

Great for families. Good food. Fun games

This was the best experience I've ever had a Dave and busters. And the food was so good

We ordered a Caesar salad. He said it was good. I had the house salad it was mostly the big spine portion of the lettuce. We had the cheese sticks they were great. The cheeseburger was good. When I received my plate it was a philly steak and cheese and fries. The fries were cold and that philly was the worst one I ever had. The liquid cheese tasted so nasty. I didn't like it expressed I didn't and no offer was made to remove a nasty 15.99 sandwich with cold fries. Then I was asked if I wanted a box. Really

It's Dave and busters lol sadly the service was super slow. Manager just kept walking by and talking on her phone and not helping. The food was... Ok I guess.

The service was terrible. We were charged for another tables food. Brought it to the waitress attention and she still charged us for the wrong food. Never going back

Fun family time where you can let your hair down. Best bet to go early at 10 am you can really try everything before the crowds come in. Flat bread pizza and pigs in the blanket nice little appetizers. Bit pricey

Fun place to play games but don't eat there. Terrible food and it takes forever to get your order. It took 40 minute to get a kid?s cheeseburger with ketchup and pickles, and they didn't even get that simple order right. Only reason I gave two stars was because the wait staff was very friendly. It? not their fault that the kitchen staff is obviously incompetent

We had a great time playing games & celebrating my fiance birthday. We loved the food. The eat & play options were a great discount & chance to enjoy a Lil of everything.

I hosted my wife's milestone birthday event here. The La Fiesta buffet that I ordered for this private room event was outstanding! Not only was the event coordinator very accommodating during the planning process, but on the night of the event, staff members were very attentive to ensuring our guests had an amazing experience. Although our room was undergoing some upgrades and we were unable to use the AV equipment, we still had an amazing time. The event coordinator made sure we received a discounted rat

Great place to turn back time an become a kid again... My daughter and myself went it was the best time we'll be back Friday Cherokee Windy Johnson & Candyboo Johnson 08/2/2019

I visited here with my whole family who came to the Triad to visit me for my mothers birthday about a month or so ago. My mother wished to come here, so we did! We sat in an area where you ordered your food online and wasn't assigned a server. There were servers close by if need be. We ordered at 8:55pm and our drinks came in about 2 minutes. I ordered a Shrimp dip that arrived at 9pm. It was very cold. At first, we was unsure if it was meant to be cold or not. We asked a waiter, who didn't know. The manage

Would honestly give 0 stars is possible. Had the rudest waitress, and we had a large group so we were automatically charged a 20% gratuity which is ridiculous considering the terrible service. We were handed menus that included a meal with some playing cards but by the time we were served they were suddenly no longer offering them??? So why put the menus in our table if we can't order from it'so half of us had to change our order last minute since our waitress was expressing how frustrated she was getting.

Okay went here for the atmosphere for sure. Have a little guy that loves to play. That being said, he had fun. I will not order food from here again ordered appetizer, which came same time as food and all of it was cold, Also ordered wings nand got the wrong sauce on 1 of them. Waitress hardly bothered to check on us they were not busy either.

The bartender, Erica was AMAZING. I will definitely be back to see her and eat some DELICIOUS food!!!

If you're heading to Dave & Buster?s for a good time, let me start by saying this: if you're grabbing a drink, make sure Chris is behind the bar. He's hands-down the best bartender there?you can't miss him. His energy is infectious, and it's clear he genuinely loves his job. He's got a knack for connecting with people, and he'll craft you a drink that hits all the right spots. Trust me, he's a highlight of the experience. The place itself is a total blast, and it's no surprise why I've been coming back for

Dipping dots vending machine in the corner was broken and half the staff including the manager are aware it is taking $5 and not vending anything at all. Rather than put a broken sign or unplug the machine theu continue to let people get screwed. Manager was very unprofessional and got in my face when I asked him about it. This all happened after dropping $75 on food and games that were extremely disappointing. Dave and Busters just continues going downhill

Great food, very nice and welcoming staff...

We have been to D&B in Miami, and the food was good and the overall experience was excellent. I don't know what happened here at the one in Hanes Mall, but it was horrible! The service was abismal, but the restaurant manager seemed to be the cause of such lousy service. The food was pure garbage!! ??????We were a party of 7, so I regret not eating somewhere else before coming here. I do not recommend this place to anyone. One exception, our waitress was very good. I was going to stop at the food, but the p

My 10 year old daughters loved it. The games were quality, and they all worked. Some were a little "expensive" for 1 time play, or another try would be nice, but it wasn't really an issue. The food was soooo good! The service was great! The prizes were really cool and desirable. We had a really hard time choosing there were so many legit cool things! Overall, it was a great experience!

Great place for the kids! Alcohol drinks are horrible! Food is ok!

A lot of games were broken down three out of the four Mario kart was broken down the whole reason why we came. You could still try to drive it, but the steering wheel will not go left or right on three of them. But they'll still take your money They need to be marked out of order. Meanwhile, the technician is just casually walking around, not doing a dang thing. Games were in order, taking your money, but clearly do not work Felt like this place was a big rip off. Food was great and our waitress was great

Very slow service, two of the servers were unable to refill drinks or help with simple requests. $20 salad was underwhelming at best. Burger was good, fries warm, wings were ok, not great.

Do not schedule a birthday party or any event at this place. My granddaughter was charged a 54.00 tipping fee for her sons birthday party. Unreal. The games were okay. The food was barely warm, not hot at all. Terrible waitresses.

Food is amazing, game, TV etc. All you want to have a great day with kids and family.Charlene was Manager at the time and she is amazing! I also met Dee another manager and he is just as amazing. Great staff too. I Will recommend this to all my friends!

Of course it's a good place to chill hang out and beat the heat. It's always been little pricey but you kinda know that going into it. The menu needs more options. Since covid it's dramatically shrank. My instant go to is the parmesan truffle fries still good. We tried the pepperoni flatbread it was good. The cantina nachos needed more chicken it barely had any on it. Overall the nachos needed more period.

They have a phone number but don't answer pretty ridiculous.

Fun place to try ! Did not eat their food just participated in the games !

Worst customer service and food its even worse! This place is the definition of trash! Waitress are trash! They need better training

We love coming on Wednesday because you get Twice the fun and more tickets. We almost got 20,000 in one Wednesday, but we are waiting to get something really big in their store. The restaurant is great. I love coming with my sons. It's always a great day!

Fun place but the food needs some serious help. Server was friendly slow due to serving too many tables. Steak overcooked and ribs were tough and dried out. Wouldn't recommend getting anything other than a sandwich or burger and fries.

Haven't been in awhile. But walked through the other day while servicing the mall, appeared to be clean and tidy. Friendly workers.

i waited 2 hours for a ?cajun shrimp pasta?, i finally got my food and my noodles were rubbery as a tire , there was no sauce, the only good thing was the shrimp. #donotrecommend

The fact they have a phone number but don't answer is dumbfounding

They dirty and and has mold food and grease behind the stoves and Brandon bates do not know how to handle the store like the past manager he barely there he just sits in his office and stuff his face not gone lie Eric a way better manager den Brandon he knows wat he doin and Brandon don't and he's under Brandon that's sad I don't think he's a good fit for the placement that the head board gave him

My boyfriend and I recently went to Dave & Buster?s, and it wasn't a great experience. There were no workers around when I needed help loading funds onto our game card, which was frustrating. Although it was very empty that day, and it was nice to have the arcade to ourselves, the location is very small and lacks variety in game choices, making it hard to enjoy. We ended up leaving early because of it. Overall, the lack of staff, small size, and limited options made this visit disappointing.

I had a really good time here! I came on a Sunday and it wasn't too busy at all which was great! They have a variety of games to play! They have a restaurant where you can get food and drinks!

Server that took care of my Grandsons birthday party 4/5/25 at 5pm was very sweet & helpful.

My biggest issue with this establishment is the food could be better. Everything came out in a timely fashion. The games were good fun but the cost was too high for me. Overall great place but the cost factor was an issue for me

We didn't eat there, but there was good atmosphere. For those who love fun things like this - thay also will like Dave & Buster's

Wanted to have a good time, but were denied access to our VR that was prepurchased because they took it out.

Yesterday (New Year's Eve) was my first time visiting this location and I would have to say, it wasn't the greatest experience. My party and I arrived around 11:30 and we were really hungry. The hostess told us to find a table and a waitress/waiter will be right with us so we did. The vibe was great, music was playing and the dj was playing great music. The restaurant was giving out champagne so we got some champagne. Midnight came and we still haven't seen our waitress/waiter. In fact, most of the staff w

We had the best time here!! Pricey, of course, but so much family fun! We spent hours here playing games, eating food and winning prizes. The staff was nice, the service was great and the place was clean.

Food was good. The Chimchurri bowls are delicious but my daughters burger seemed a bit undercooked (she asked for medium but it was more like medium rare. Games were fun. Just wish they had regular seating open so we didn't have to sit around the bar.

I received a wrong item from a Door dash delivery. I took the order back to the restaurant and was told by the manager to call Door dash customer support. I explained I don't want a credit or money back, I want my food. He then proceeds to tell me he will do it this one time but they don't usually "do that". Do what? Fix an order I have already paid for?! Make it make sense. I won't be spending money here again

We had an awesome time! My son absolutely love this place.. Me too

this location isn't to bad they just don't have enough staff at the moment at least not today maybe because it was halloween. but we still had a good time for a cheap price

Definitely a money taker...you gon spend some dough and lose it all in a few mins. The prizes are ridiculous. Extremely dumb

Food was good but it took really long bringing it. Other than that it's a fun place to go to.

Shayla is super friendly, she was very considerate and open to chat with us. I'm kind of dumb so she helped with my questions so it was reassuring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.

What should I bring to an arcade?

Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.

Are arcades still just for kids?

Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”

Are pool tables in arcades still good in this modern age?

Yes, pool tables in arcades remain a fantastic draw in 2025! Games like 8-ball or 9-ball offer tactile, skill-based fun that blends strategy and precision. Modern tables feature smooth felt, responsive cues, and vibrant designs, enhancing the classic experience. Arcades foster a social vibe with casual matches or competitive tournaments, appealing to all skill levels. Unlike digital games, pool’s physicality—lining up shots, feeling the cue’s weight—keeps it timeless.

Are virtual reality games in arcades worth playing?

Yes, virtual reality (VR) games in arcades are a top attraction in 2025! Titles like Beat Saber and Half-Life: Alyx deliver immersive thrills with cutting-edge headsets, motion tracking, and responsive controllers. High-resolution displays and spatial audio create heart-pounding experiences, from slashing rhythms to battling zombies. Arcades feature multiplayer VR zones and tournaments, fostering lively communities. VR booths are regularly packed, proving their captivating, next-level gameplay makes them a must-try arcade experience.

Why are arcade prize games so exciting to play?

Arcade prize games are a thrilling highlight in 2025! Claw machines, skee-ball, and ticket-redemption games like basketball offer a rush of skill and chance, with rewards like plushies, toys, or electronics up for grabs. Modern machines feature vibrant lights, digital scoreboards, and responsive controls, amplifying the fun. The lively arcade atmosphere, with cheering crowds and buzzing energy, makes every win feel epic.