Honeybee Ice Cream & Arcade, located at 703 John Sims Parkway in Niceville, Florida, serves as a modern family entertainment center combining a diverse arcade experience with a comprehensive ice cream parlor. While the Honeybee Ice Cream LLC business entity was established in 2019, the physical venue officially opened its doors to the public in the summer of 2021, following delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The concept was developed by owner Duke Higgs, who sought to reintroduce a family-oriented arcade and gaming experience to the community, drawing inspiration from his own personal memories of arcades.
The establishment offers a wide array of attractions, including over 50 arcade games that blend classic titles like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Popeye, and Super Mario Brothers with modern options such as air hockey, pinball machines, shooters, racing games, a boxing machine, and a virtual reality coaster simulation. Complementing the gaming, Honeybee provides a variety of treats, including 32 flavors of ice cream, 24 snow cone flavors, 17 ice cream roll flavors, seasonal desserts, popcorn, hot dogs, cotton candy, boba tea, and waffle cones. Situated near local schools, Honeybee Ice Cream & Arcade quickly became a popular gathering spot for students and families, drawing visitors from Niceville and surrounding areas like Freeport, Fort Walton Beach, Shalimar, and Destin, fostering a community-focused, family-friendly atmosphere.