The race is officially on. F1 Arcade Philadelphia opened its doors today, May 29, bringing a first-of-its-kind social racing experience to the heart of Center City. Located at 1330 Chestnut Street, the immersive venue brings the speed, style, and spectacle of Formula 1 racing to life through cutting-edge technology, standout design, and a dynamic food and beverage program—all under one roof. The first 100 people through the doors at 4pm will receive an exclusive Philly Founders Club card, earning half-off food and beverage tabs for the rest of the year plus exclusive offers and rewards.
The opening of F1 Arcade Philadelphia represents the third U.S. outpost for the global brand, following successful launches in Washington D.C. and Boston. Spanning 19,200 square feet, the Philadelphia location combines cutting-edge design, engineering precision, and environmental responsibility to deliver a truly world-class racing experience. The technology delivers hyper-realistic racing gameplay, allowing guests of all skill levels to take on legendary Grand Prix circuits in everything from head-to-head laps to adrenaline-charged team competitions.
At the core of F1 Arcade’s experience is a vibrant and globally inspired culinary and cocktail program designed to match the energy and refinement of race day. The food menu celebrates shareable dishes that complement the excitement of the venue —standouts include XO Scallops, Ahi Tuna Tartare and Wagyu Beef Sliders. Leading the beverage charge is mixologist LP O’Brien, winner of Netflix’s Drink Masters and F1 Arcade’s newly named Global Creative Director of Beverage. O’Brien has crafted a menu specifically for Philadelphia that blends storytelling, local flair, and high-impact presentation. Highlights unique to F1 Arcade Philadelphia include the Victory Lap, a riff on the Old Fashioned made with bourbon, fig and gingerbread rooibos, and a touch of absinthe—crafted to deliver a strong finish; the Pit Lane Perk, a silky espresso martini served with blueberry cocoa nibs and topped with custom race-themed art; and the Afloat in Monaco, a nostalgic yet elevated float featuring rye, house tamarind cola, and salted vanilla bean foam. Additional standouts include the Apex Martini, a freezer-chilled twist on the classic gin martini featuring Philadelphia’s own Bluecoat Gin and finished with a decadent tray of assorted garnish options; and the VIP Pass, a two-part serve that pairs a crisp shot of champagne with a clarified milk punch inspired by the Pornstar Martini and New York Souri for a celebratory finish.
“Across our menu, we set out to bring the same precision and thrill of Formula 1 to every cocktail we serve. ” says LP O’Brien, Global Creative Director of Beverage in a statement. “Guests will notice the F1 Arcade difference — it’s more than a drink, it’s an immersive celebration of speed, flavor, and innovation, setting us apart from our competitors.”
The venue’s interior design includes neon-circuit style chandeliers, custom tire-mark wallpaper, a helmet wall display, and a dramatic F1 starting grid-inspired light feature, akin to a stoplight, welcoming guests at the entrance. At the heart of it all is a 43-foot illuminated bar, flanked by sleek high-top dining areas and plush lounge seating, creating a fully immersive environment that fuses high-tech play with high-touch hospitality.
“Opening in Philadelphia is a huge milestone for us,” says Jon Gardner, President of Global Development. “This city’s legendary sports and racing history, passion and pace align perfectly with the F1 Arcade experience—we can’t wait for guests to feel the energy from the moment they walk through the door.”
To celebrate opening week, F1 Arcade Philadelphia will host its first official Watch Party on Sunday, June 1, inviting fans to gather and cheer on the Spanish Grand Prix in real time with doors opening at 8am. Tickets to enter include unlimited sim racing throughout the race, live race coverage, competitions, DJ and more. Future watch parties include the Canadian Grand Prix on June 15 — a great opportunity to experience the race with a Grandstand ticket including a guaranteed seat, unlimited food and drink, and exclusive use of The Briefing Room private event space — Austrian Grand Prix on June 29, and British Grand Prix on July 6.
F1 Arcade’s arrival in Philadelphia comes at a time of unprecedented growth for Formula 1 in the U.S., where more than half of the current fanbase has joined within the last five years. With nearly 30 additional U.S. venues planned over the next five years, the brand is rapidly expanding to meet demand for experiential, design-driven spaces.
