F1 drives into River North this summer

The F1® Arcade has raced into the Windy City with an upscale immersive experience right in the heart of River North. This racing game endeavor has officially opened in Chicago after revving up with an event on August 13 in the previous Rock Bottom Brewery space at 1 West Grand Avenue.

The venue still has the same spacious layout, but it has been beautifully renovated since closing in 2023. A stunning Formula 1 racing car was parked in front and frequently stopped traffic as drivers stopped in the middle of the road to gawk at the vehicle.

A red carpet was rolled out for the grand opening, and lines of people gathered at the corner of State Street and Grand Avenue. Unpredictable weather caused the F1 premiere to skid off course with an unexpected aerial closure as rain drenched the rooftop deck.

Inside, guests entered the lively establishment to bubbly toasts and passed appetizers from the friendly staff. The Waygu Beef Sliders and Mini Hot Dogs hit the spot, but first place was won by the Crispy Rice Salmon Teriyaki with wasabi mayo.

James Beard Award Winner Julia Momosé has curated specialty cocktails for patrons to enjoy at the various bars, such as the Paddock Spritz made with Haku Vodka and the Wolf Point, a winning combination of Toki Whisky and Yuzu Junmai Sake.

Virtual drinking while driving is encouraged in the F1® Arcade and standard racing experiences start at $19. Full motion race simulators line up along the walls on multiple levels of this solid structure. Fans of Formula 1 sports will have a ball competing with others while speeding down the track on the screens. Set course on a replica of racing circuits modeled after real-life courses, including all the challenges that come along with it.

Kindred Concepts Ltd has created a fast-paced entertainment environment accompanied by Grand Prix races, outstanding cuisine and photo opportunities at every turn.

The F1® Arcade team is gearing up to open 30 locations globally in the next five years. Late-night bites in Boston and weekend brunches in Philadelphia could be added to Chicago's agenda one day. Will F1 have the formula for success in Illinois? Only time will tell as this business drives toward a successful Midwest finish line.

Put the pedal to the metal at f1arcade.com to schedule a high-speed adventure today.