Dining meets dopamine

It is lights out and away we go! The F1 Arcade Denver had its grand opening on September 10. Located northeast of downtown Denver in the River North Arts District, known colloquially as “RiNo,” the experience had all the excitement and adrenaline rush of a Grand Prix race where high-octane excitement meets elevated dining. The fourth location in the country, the F1 Arcade Denver features 69 state-of-the-art Formula 1 (F1) racing simulators, crafted cocktails and a menu worth staying for.

F1 racing is a multibillion-dollar business and is gaining popularity with the Netflix series Formula 1: Drive to Survive. F1 cars are the world’s fastest regulated road-course racing cars, owing to high cornering speeds and aerodynamics of the car. With the rapid global growth of F1 and also the gaming culture, the F1 Arcade brings a unique hospitality concept to the metro area.

Located at 2734 Walnut Street, F1 Arcade Denver is a social gaming experience like no other. Fans are greeted at the entrance with the Red Bull race car (Red Bull Racing is one of the most successful F1 teams). The 15,000-square-foot space has immersive F1 racing simulators that make you feel like you are on the racetrack. With five skill levels––from rookie to elite––the simulators give everyone a chance to battle it out on Grand Prix tracks from around the world. Team up or go head-to-head, hop on with friends or family and experience the sport’s most iconic circuits.

Head-to-head racing mode is designed for solo drivers or small groups which are assigned one simulator per person. Guests take part in three races with a couple of minutes in between to catch their breath. Team racing is perfect for groups of four or more. Guests are placed in teams across a set of simulators and take turns racing. Each guest competes in at least four races and the team with the most points at the end wins.

Racing on an empty stomach is no fun for fans. The menu and cocktails are as memorable as the racing experience. Sharable appetizers include the F1 Arcade Oysters, served with house mignonette sauce and sprinkled with fresh orchid petals; Himalayan Salt Dry-Aged Flat Iron Steak with grilled portobello and chimichurri sauce; and the Dynamite Fried Chicken with a chili and lemon aioli. Taco flights offer chicken, mushroom and pulled brisket, but a personal favorite was the Spicy Ahi Tuna taco with avocado, wasabi and red chili. For healthier options, the Impossible “Bulgogi” taco serves up gochujang and kimchi with an avocado crema. Choices of flatbreads like the Chicken Tandoori, the Super Food Salad or the Perigord Wagyu Burger with truffle fries are bound to satisfy any hungry appetite.

The F1 experience would not be complete without a few F1-inspired cocktails, including Pole Position with Hendricks gin, egg white, champagne and raspberry pearls, and She’s in the Lead made with cucumber and rose gin, lemon, blueberry wine and egg white. Another favorite, Sparks Will Fly, features rum, coconut, falernum, chamomile and sparked spices to mimic the visible sparks of F1 cars. Designated drivers may join the fun with several mocktails available to choose from. F1 Arcade welcomes walk-ins for a last-minute bite to eat or drink, but it is strongly advised to make reservations if you want to race.

Fans looking for a place to watch F1 races can soak up the atmosphere with other fans and catch every race live on the big screen TVs. F1 Arcade’s other locations are in Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. The next location slated to open is in Las Vegas, and there are plans to open in international markets in 2027.

Assemble your pit crew, grab a cocktail and take the wheel of an F1 simulator. The grid is calling your name!

By ViVi Somphon