A new micro-amusement park is opening in the Dallas Shops at Park Lane, just north of Northwest Highway and east of Central Expressway.
Two Bit Circus is opening this Friday, November 18, and will feature virtual reality and arcade games. The circus is located on the second level of the shopping center.
Kim Schaefer, the president of Two Bit Circus, explained that they are striving for fun and “to bring people together elbow-to-elbow to come and play, socialize, and have a great time.”
Additionally, Schaefer stated that attendees do not have to be gamers. It is more about “coming to have a good time.”
Two Bit Circus started in Los Angeles in 2018. Their parks feature digital games replicating actual carnival games, many of which are multiplayer. Most games were developed in-house by the Two Bit Circus staff.
After the pandemic, Eric Gradman, chief technology officer, said they were trying to get people to be physically together, “staring each other in the eye and having a good time.”
He added, “You’re not staring at people through a screen. We had two years of that.”
Gradman’s favorite part of the arcade is the “story rooms.” Story rooms are akin to a type of escape room, but instead of riddles or puzzles, escapees have to complete different types of multiplayer games. It costs $20 per person to play in the story rooms.
Virtual reality games cost participants anywhere from $8 to $18. Players can play against one another via headsets and handheld controllers.
The arcade has a full bar offering Texas beers and state fair-type food. The food menu is Texas-inspired. Staying on theme, Two Bit Circus has a drink-making robot on staff.
Topgolf’s former executive, Erik Anderson, and Austin’s Capital Factory are both investors in the mini amusement park.
With 45 employees already, the location looks to fill 20 additional positions.
