With the recent FIFA World Cup in the rearview mirror, there’s another international sport rising in popularity here in the U.S.: Formula 1 racing. Whether it’s the Netflix’s docuseries Formula 1: Drive to Survive, the Brad Pitt movie F1, or F1 races
in Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas, the single-seater, open-wheel formula cars and those who drive them are earning plenty of new American fans (looking at you, Kim Kardashian).
Now, those superfans will have another spot to belly up in Chicago: F1 Arcade, an eatertainment company with an exclusive license with Formula 1, will open its first Midwest location in River North on Friday, August 14. Befitting its new Chicago home, F1 Arcade partnered with James Beard Award-winning bartender and chef Julia Momosé of the West Loop’s Kumiko to create two only-available-here cocktails.
“It’s been a wild ride to watch, but it’s one of the fastest growing sports in the world for its viewership,” says Liz Norris, VP of launch strategy for F1 Arcade. “F1 is fast cars, beautiful people, and amazing locations around the world, and we try to capture that here with a Chicago filter. We try to do stuff that’s very unexpected for something that has ‘arcade’ in the name.”
Located in the former Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, which closed in January 2023, the massive 16,000-square-foot space spans three floors and seats 424 people in addition to the big draw — 61 Formula 1-approved full-motion racing simulators that mimic the 200-miles-per-hour racing experience. The five skill levels and their accompanying levels of assistance mean players of various expertise can play each other at the same time.
Private and semi-private rooms and an expansive bar and lounge on the first floor feature nods to racing. “It’s all F1-inspired, but it’s not on-the-nose themed,” says Norris. “You’re not going to see people coming out in race suits.” Chandeliers subtly mirror racetracks, while black-and-white patterned floors are reminiscent of racing’s checkered flag. Squiggly neon art pieces represent the heartbeat of drivers in action. Then there are Pirelli tire marks on the walls, designed by a different local artist for each F1 Arcade spot.
Like its locations all over the world, F1 Arcade Chicago’s menu touches on a bit of everything. That means crispy rice salmon teriyaki and East Coast oysters as well as fried chicken, soft pretzel sticks, and wagyu sliders. A variety of tacos, flatbreads, and sandwiches round out the regular menu. Brunch includes buttermilk pancakes, shakshuka, and chicken and waffles. “We come into a city and try to understand the types of guests that are coming in, but our variety of occasions is so big,” says Norris, adding that it’s everything from date night and big group celebrations to corporate events and parties for kids.
In Chicago the company went further to represent the city in its food, incorporating a number of local purveyors throughout its menu. Norris says that F1 Arcade Chicago head chef Peter Svachula, a Chicago native, recommended some local flavors, including Caruso giardiniera used in a cheese dip and in aioli for Chicago-style fries dusted with celery salt. Illinois hot honey tops a spicy ’nduja pizza. For the Podium Finish dessert, Zarlengo’s frozen custard is paired with a Garrett popcorn brittle. For two bucks extra you can add a Malört-infused caramel drizzle.
F1 Arcade’s beverage director LP O’Brien recruited Momosé for the cocktail contributions. “She’s consistently made space for women in our industry,” says Momosé of O’Brien, who was the winner of Netflix’s Drink Masters in 2022.
To create her two cocktails, Momosé considered the space in which they would be enjoyed where guests would be moving through it differently than they would at a cocktail bar. “From there, I wanted to tell a story through ingredients by pairing exceptional Chicago spirits with Japanese spirits,” she wrote in an email to Eater. “Every ingredient had to earn its place, creating drinks that are approachable while still offering layers of flavor and a sense of discovery.”
The Paddock Spritz combines Haku vodka, Koval cranberry gin liqueur, clover honey, Moët & Chandon Champagne, and lime. It was inspired by Formula 1’s paddock, the gathering place for racing teams. The Wolf Point pays homage to the historic Chicago location where three river branches meet. It’s a blend of Suntory Toki whisky, yuzu junmai sake, Green Chartreuse, banana, lemon, and Angostura bitters.
“These drinks feel exciting, social, and celebratory, while still reflecting the way I think about flavor and hospitality,” Momosé says. “It was also an opportunity to celebrate Chicago spirits alongside Japanese spirits, which felt like a meaningful way to represent both the city I’m proud to call home and the heritage that continues to shape my work. If someone enjoys these cocktails and becomes curious enough to visit Kumiko, that’s a wonderful outcome.”
F1 Arcade Chicago, 1 W. Grand Avenue; open 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday to Thursday; 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday; 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday; after 7 p.m. F1 Arcade Chicago is 21+; reservations available on OpenTable; racing simulators can be booked here.
