An afternoon at F1 Arcade, Birmingham

Nestled in the heart of Birmingham’s vibrant entertainment scene, the F1 Arcade Bar stands as a thrilling haven for both Formula 1 enthusiasts and casual patrons seeking a unique and exhilarating experience. This innovative establishment seamlessly merges the world of motorsport with a lively arcade atmosphere, creating a one-of-a-kind destination that caters to the diverse tastes of its clientele. As the neon lights beckon from the exterior, guests step into a dynamic space where the roar of virtual engines mingles with the sounds of laughter and friendly competition.

Must visit destination in Birmingham City Centre 

With an array of state-of-the-art racing simulators, classic arcade games, and a carefully curated selection of beverages, the F1 Arcade Bar offers a distinctive blend of adrenaline-pumping excitement and laid-back socializing, making it a must-visit destination for those looking to rev up the entertainment in Birmingham.

Great afternoon for family celebrations 

Having booked an afternoon visit to the arcade on our eldest son’s 11th birthday., we knew he would love to visit and soak up the atmosphere so booked an early afternoon session to go head-to-head with the rest of the family. It’s worth mentioning the arcade is family-friendly but drivers must be 7 years or over, accompanied by an adult until 6pm. After this time, the arcade is 18+ only. 

After checking in, we were shown to the racing simulators. My youngest son only has little legs so the arcade staff gave him a padded cushion to raise him and he was able to move the seat closer to the screens for comfort. We all settled into our racing seats which are shaped like racing car seats for the ultimate experience. We had a bit of trouble logging into the screens as the QR codes didn’t work on the screen but a member of staff was on hand and helped us get set up. 

Going Head to Head 

The Head-to-Head experience allowed us all to race against each other and some other well-known F1 racing drivers on the tracks. We booked into the 45-minute session which gave us 5 races to take part in. There is also a 30-minute session with 3 races. F1 Arcade is designed for all different abilities with 5 levels available. As you set up the game you’ll select your difficulty level choosing from Rookie, Casual, Semi-Pro, Pro or Elite. This ensures everyone can race together, regardless of skill level. 3 of us chose the Rookie-level as it automatically changed the gears for us (ideal for beginners and juniors), my 11-year-old confidently chose the Semi-Pro level which gave him less help around the track and he was in control of braking and traction. 

Once our racing choices were loaded into the system, our experience began. Our first race was Zandvoort which is the Dutch Grand Prix track. The racing chairs began to rumble, the cars lined up on the track, and the red lights started to flash, it was time to race.

My experience, watch out Lando! 

It is so much fun! I have been driving for over 20 years so have a lot of (real-life) miles under my belt but I was rubbish. It took me ages to get off the start line and then I somehow spun the car and couldn’t get out of reverse! However, the boys were well away and were loving it, racing ahead of me and scoring lots of points around the track. The other tracks we attempted drove around included Spa-Francorchamps – Belgian Grand Prix, Monza – Italian Grand Prix, Silverstone – British Grand Prix and Bahrain – Bahrain Grand Prix. 

We loved the bright colourful graphics on the curved screens which were fantastic and really added to the whole immersive experience. We actually felt like we were on the track, it was so much fun! There were helpeful tips on screen and following the green line around the track was super helpful! 

Location: 2 Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3AX