EXHIBIT (a)(1)



AN OPEN LETTER TO THE BOARD OF DAVE & BUSTER'S

BY ROBERT MARCIN


Dear Board Member:

My name is Robert Marcin, and I am a significant shareholder in the stock of
DAVE AND BUSTER'S (DAB:NYSE - NEWS - COMMENTARY - RESEARCH - ANALYSIS). I am
also a contributor to a popular financial Web site TheStreet.com, where I
highlighted the company as one of my FAVORITE STOCKS for 2002. I am deeply
disturbed by the current management buyout offer of $12 per share for our stock.

According to my analysis, the current bid of $255 million, including debt,
represents a 4.55 multiple on the forecasted EBITDA of $56 million for this
fiscal year. However, not only is this valuation unjustifiable, but the EBITDA
margins are significantly depressed due to the recent economic slowdown and the
events of 9/11.

By my calculation, normalized EBITDA margins for DAB should be 20% or better,
generating an operating margin of 12%. That level of profitability would
generate $80 million of EBITDA on this year's revenue and result in the current
bid having a value of just 3.2 times normalized EBITDA. This valuation, as well
as the discount to tangible book value, is clearly unacceptable to shareholders.

While the tender information states that a special committee of independent
board members performed "analysis" and approved the transaction, I am deeply
concerned that the board is not exercising its fiduciary duty to shareholders. I
have not seen the details of the fairness opinion but would find it helpful to
understand your actions.

I understand your frustration with the valuation of the company's shares in the
public equity market. As a large stockholder, I too am frustrated by both the
poor execution of our management and the market's inability to recognize the
value in our franchise. But selling in a management buyout at such depressed
prices essentially permits management to exploit its own lack of execution for
financial gain. This solution is not in the best long-term interest of
shareholders.

I do not intend to tender my shares and would encourage other shareholders to
reject this bid. I have received email telling me that a shareholder lawsuit is
imminent, but I do not think this is necessary. If the best offer for our
company really is $12 per share, I would much rather take my chances as a
publicly traded stock. In my opinion, the business, when run competently, would
generate $1.75-$2.50 in earnings per share and be valued in today's market at
$25-$35 a share.

Please work harder at achieving a fairer price for our shares. If that fails,
please work harder at managing our business for acceptable levels of
profitability. Only then will shareholders be satisfied. Thank you for your
consideration.

Robert Marcin