The newest edition of F1 Arcade, located at 1330 Chestnut Street, is equipped with 80 immersive racing simulators, where players can virtually race through seven different world-class Grand Prix circuits.
The newest F1 Arcade—or “where dining and drinking meet dopamine,” as Vice President of United States Launch and Communications Liz Norris likes to say—is coming to Center City, Philadelphia. Opening day is tomorrow, May 29.
After recently previewing the complex, I agree that F1 has created a new category of entertainment experiences, combining a high-end bar and racing arcade in one.
The arcade is equipped with 80 immersive racing simulators, where players can virtually race through seven different world-class Grand Prix circuits, alongside a carefully crafted menu with a variety of food and drink options.
Immediately upon entering, you can see that the venue, the largest F1 Arcade built so far, has plenty of room for events and big groups. With a 500-person capacity, the arcade is ideal for holiday celebrations, corporate events and other social gatherings.
To the left is a bar decked out with alcohol and nonalcoholic cocktails alike. World-renowned mixologist Lauren “LP” O’Brien is responsible for creating the menu, known for her dedication to making non-alcoholic drinks as realistic as possible.
The F1 Arcade offers team and head-to-head racing, depending on group size. There are also different skill levels based on experience. While F1 fans will undoubtedly flock to the new arcade for watch parties and special F1-themed events, Norris said that the arcade also serves as an activity for individuals, even if they don’t closely follow racing. F1 remains the fastest-growing sport in the world, but only 1% of people have ever attended a race in person.
“When you come here, this will be your first exposure to that,” Norris said. “We see people getting into it, and you'll see the drivers' names on the screen and stuff like that, many people will start asking questions.”
The arcade accommodates everyone, even if you just want to come in by yourself during a lunch break for a little pick-me-up. If you need a burst of adrenaline, jumping in a racing simulator is a surefire fix.
After testing out a simulator myself, I could see the appeal. It feels like you're driving a real car, and—while all I had to compare it to was my used Toyota RAV4—it’s easy to get hooked on that excitement, especially when competing against friends.
“When I'm just a bit hitting a wall, we jump in there,” Norris said. “And you start laughing and you feel it. This is like the new dopamine. Everyone cannot resist laughing or talking about it afterward because it's interactive.”
Norris said that her mom, who’s 76, is coming to celebrate the opening and she’s just as excited to race as everyone else—even if it’s at 10 miles per hour with a pair of glamorous heels on.
After arriving in Boston and Washington, D.C. in the past two years, F1 knew Philadelphia was the perfect spot for their next location. Norris says the arcade adds a “pop of color” to an otherwise gloomy city block. She said she’s hoping to outdo the other U.S. locations in the opening weeks.
The Philadelphia location features several special additions, including a radio wall with quotes collected from drivers’ radios on F1, including George Russell’s iconic “Boom Shakalaka” from his 2024 Austrian Grand Prix victory.
The newest F1 Arcade in Philadelphia showcases a helmet display with collectables from some world-renowned racers. The arcade also has a helmet display showcasing drivers’ collectibles. The backdrop wall is painted with Pirelli tires, the official tire of Formula 1.
The Arcade offers team racing for larger groups of four or more drivers and head-to-head racing for a more intimate competition. Skill levels range from rookie to elite, so don’t worry if you're out of practice. Pricing varies by time.
As dedicated Formula 1 fans, the arcade’s biggest crowds often come for watch parties, with the Canada Grand Prix coming up on June 15. Racing sims will be free to play during watch parties, although tickets are required.
If you're looking to plan a group event, the arcade has a private room for groups as large as 120 people, alongside semi-private event spaces. Reservations should be made in advance, but the arcade does leave some simulators open for walk-ins, as solo reservations can’t be made online.
The bar and restaurant menu is available without a reservation. Opening at noon on weekends, the venue is limited to 21+ crowds after 7 p.m.
The arcade is also offering a Founder’s Card to the first 100 people in line on opening day, May 29, which provides a year of 50% off all food and drink items, along with other exclusive inside perks.
The racing starts tomorrow, so you’d better get ready… get set... go!
