The newly opened F1 Arcade in Boston’s Seaport district is your first chance to climb into the virtual cockpit of some of the most incredible driving machines on the planet and push them to the limit at hundreds of miles an hour, emulating the thrill of high-speed racing in a fully immersive environment.
It’s also a chance to crash into your friends, drive backward and generally cause chaos — all while drinking cocktails and eating snacks.
Now open in Boston’s Seaport, the new F1 Arcade is a bar that doubles as a suped-up arcade where you can climb into one of the dozens of racing simulators, available by appointment or walk-in (pending availability). The Boston location is the first F1 Arcade to open up in the United States, marking the latest step in Formula 1 racing’s popularity as a sport worldwide.
The simulators are essentially fancy versions of racing games you’ll find at arcades. The difference is that these start-of-the-air rigs are incredibly accurate and immersive. The pedals and steering wheel have heft and feedback that make it feel like you’re driving a real car on an F1 track. Meanwhile, your seat will rumble and rock as you drive, mimicking the feeling of high-speed turns (and some bumps when you “accidentally” hit the car in front of you).
The sleek, vivid space filled with the big, imposing racing rigs can seem posh at first — like a Rolex turned into a bar. But don’t let that stop you from having fun. Sure, you can step inside to live out your dreams of showing off James Bond-level driving skills. Or you can just go in and have fun with your friends like you’re playing “Mario Kart.”
Guests have the option of choosing a difficulty setting when they hop in, ranging from “rookie” to “elite.” The easy settings provide plenty of assistance to create a simple driving experience. The harder modes are for experts only, leaving you on your own as if you were an actual F1 driver (complete with manual gear shifts).
Think of it like a bowling alley. You can try to bowl for strikes. Or you can throw the bumpers on. Speaking of bumpers, kids can drive the simulators, no license necessary. You may notice there’s a second screen on each rig. That’s so your friends behind you can watch you race and cheer you on (or chuckle when you crash).
Here’s the kicker: You can order food and drinks right to your “car” during your session.
F1 Arcade Boston’s menu ranges from typical pub grub to high-end luxury. On one end, you have the “Glizzys,” which are a crispy, delicious sort of corn dog with a Korean barbecue spin for $13. They also have tacos ($16-19), flatbreads ($15-19) and burgers ($17).
On the other end, there are some indulgent options that may give you sticker shock. It’s one thing to have a $28 Wagyu burger or a $39 order of mini lobster rolls. But there’s also the choice to go all out for the $110 Seafood Tower, which comes with a half-pound of lobster, three crab claws, five jumbo shrimp and a half-dozen oysters. If that wasn’t enough, you can add caviar to that for $110.
Good news for families: There is a kids menu where you can order simpler fare – along with cookies and a drink — for $10.
As for drinks, F1 Arcade has a full bar and a wide-ranging cocktail menu — as well mocktails. I tried the Rising Sun ($16), a delightfully bright and tart peach-orange vodka cocktail that also tied in sake, cherry and lime. They also have a draft beer list (including local draft options) in the $8-10 range. Meanwhile, a bottle of Miller Lite or Coors Lite will run you $6.
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It’s recommended that visitors book driving simulators ahead of time, especially during peak hours. You can reserve spots for groups of 2-16 people on the F1 Arcade website. They do allow walk-ins, but you may have trouble getting a spot if there’s a crowd.
To be clear: The driving simulators are a separate booking from the bar/restaurant. You don’t need an appointment or anything to stop in for food and drinks.
A stint in the simulator will run you $20 per person for three races, which takes about three minutes. Note: That rate goes up to $25 per person during peak hours. They also do private events for larger groups.
F1 Arcade Boston is officially open as of April 22. They’re open Sunday-Wednesday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. According to their website, all ages are welcome, “however, guests should be 7 years old to race.” Guests under 21 years old are welcome until 7 p.m. daily.
Check out the F1 Arcade Boston website for more information.