We tried the new F1 Arcade in Philadelphia
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Take the wheel and enjoy the ride at F1 Arcade in Philly. Photo: Mike D'Onofrio/Axios
Buckle up and start your engines at the motorsports bar F1 Arcade in Center City, which opens today.
The big picture: Philly is F1 Arcade's third location in the U.S., besides Boston and Washington, D.C.
Driving the news: The huge arcade and bar at 1330 Chestnut St. opens at 4pm.
- The 19,000-square-foot space boasts 80 dual-screen racing simulators, lounge seating, a private event space, upscale eats and themed drinks.
🛞 I got behind the wheel at the arcade for a sneak peek before it opened.
- My take: It's a blast. My race was roughly 5 minutes, and the immersive simulation is head-and-shoulders above anything I've ever played.
🏎️ What else to expect: The arcade is outfitted with nods to Formula 1 racing, like race track wallpaper and helmets displayed on the wall.
- F1 Arcade also hosts Grand Prix watch parties to watch races on its big TV screens starting this Sunday ($49).
How it works: Drivers select from skill levels ranging from "Rookie" for beginners to "Elite" for seasoned pros.
- Smaller groups (up to three) can go head-to-head and compete in three races.
- Larger groups (four or more) are split up into teams and compete in at least four races.
- Tickets: $20+ per driver (pricing varies depending on the time of day)
Worth noting: The arcade is limited to people aged 21 and older starting at 7pm daily.
The bottom line: Give it a try. You might get hooked.
Editor's note: This story was corrected to reflect that the arcade is located at 1330 Chestnut St. (not 1300).