Get behind the wheel at Chicago's new F1 Arcade
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Simulators at the new F1 Arcade in Chicago. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
A new bar and restaurant in Chicago's River North taps into the global popularity of Formula 1 racing by putting fans behind the wheel and onto the track.
Driving the news: F1 Arcade opens Friday in the former Rock Bottom Brewery spot at State and Grand.
What to expect: "Competitive socializing with quality food and drink" guides the concept, F1 Arcade's Liz Norris tells Axios during a tour of the space.
- It's an upscale arcade with spicy ahi tuna tartare and wagyu beef sliders, plus a full bar including cocktails created by Bar Kumiko's Julia Momosé, mocktails and, of course, 61 F1 race car simulators.
- Guests can sip Moët, F1's official Champagne, on an updated rooftop and book private rooms for parties and events.
Between the lines: F1 is open to all ages until 9pm when it becomes a 21-and-up venue.
How it works: Simulators allow drivers to select skill levels from "rookie" to "elite" and compete on some of the most famous racetracks in the world, including Suzuka Circuit in Japan and Circuit of the Americas near Austin.
- The simulators pump the sounds of engines roaring, tires screeching and fans cheering into the driver's ears while the seats rattle and shake around tough turns and crashes.
Zoom out: The Oscar-nominated "F1" movie and shows like "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" on Netflix widened the sport's fanbase, Norris says, and now attracts more young and female fans.
State of play: The first F1 Arcade opened in 2022 in London, and Chicago marks the 10th worldwide location, with seven in the U.S.
If you go: F1 Arcade opens Friday at 1 W. Grand Ave.
- Reservations for simulators are now open, and visitors can reserve tables for food and drinks at OpenTable.
- Standard racing experiences start at $19.
💭 My thought bubble: One of my favorite childhood memories was playing "Pole Position" with my siblings at the Best Western in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on our way to see our grandparents in Florida every spring. This brought up the childlike exhilaration of that feeling and made me super giggly.