Forget go-karts and racing suits. F1 Arcade Birmingham brings the excitement of Formula 1 into the heart of the city with full-motion racing simulators, great food, cocktails and plenty of friendly competition.
If you’ve ever fancied putting yourself on the starting grid at Silverstone, Monza or some of Formula 1’s other famous circuits, Birmingham now has a rather more accessible way of doing it.
F1 Arcade Birmingham takes the excitement of Formula 1 and turns it into a genuinely social experience – part racing simulator, part bar and restaurant and part entertainment venue.
Located at Paradise, 2 Chamberlain Square, opposite Birmingham Town Hall, it’s right in the heart of the city and within easy walking distance of New Street station, making it an appealing option for everything from an afternoon with the family to a night out with friends.
And despite the name, this isn’t an old-fashioned arcade – and there isn’t a go-kart in sight.
Get behind the wheel
The stars of the venue are its 53 full-motion racing simulators, designed to give players a much more immersive taste of Formula 1 racing.
Take your seat, grab the steering wheel and suddenly you’re competing against the people you arrived with.
The clever part is that you don’t need to be an experienced gamer or Formula 1 expert. There are five different skill levels, from Rookie through to Elite, allowing complete beginners and seasoned sim racers to compete together.
There are two main ways to race.
Head-to-Head is designed for two or three drivers, with each person getting their own simulator for three or five consecutive races. Sessions typically last around 30 to 45 minutes.
For larger groups, Team Racing accommodates four to 12 drivers. Racers are divided into teams, creating the sort of competitive atmosphere that can turn a perfectly civilised group of friends into determined racing rivals surprisingly quickly.
More than racing
What makes F1 Arcade interesting as a Birmingham destination is that you don’t necessarily need to be obsessed with motorsport to enjoy it.
The venue has been designed as somewhere to spend an entire evening rather than simply race and leave.
There’s a substantial food and drink offering, from smaller dishes and crowd-pleasing favourites to cocktails, wines, beers and alcohol-free choices. You can visit for food or drinks even without booking a racing session.
That makes it particularly good for mixed groups. The committed F1 fans can obsess over lap times while everyone else enjoys the bar, food and atmosphere.
Grand Prix weekends add another dimension. F1 Arcade hosts Watch Parties, showing the racing live on large screens with full sound, alongside DJs and simulator racing around the main event.
Who is it for?
Pretty much anyone looking for something different to do in Birmingham.
Couples could easily turn it into an unusual date night; groups of friends can make racing part of a night in the city; and corporate groups can arrange tournaments, private spaces and food and drink packages.
Families aren’t forgotten either.
Drivers need to be at least seven years old, while under-18s are welcome at the Birmingham venue until 8pm, provided they’re accompanied by an adult aged 21 or over.
There are dedicated family experiences too, making this a particularly interesting alternative during weekends and school holidays.
For groups of 13 or more, F1 Arcade offers dedicated event options, including parties, celebrations and work events.
When can you visit?
F1 Arcade Birmingham is currently open 10am–11pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am–10pm on Sundays.
It’s worth checking the website before travelling as opening hours, events and availability can change.
Racing prices vary according to the session and time of visit, with standard Head-to-Head and Team Racing experiences currently advertised from £15.95 per person at selected daytime sessions.
And if competition really is your thing, look out for Sprint Social, F1 Arcade’s regular tournament night, bringing together racing, food, a drink and three hours of competition.
The Birmingham Edit verdict
Birmingham certainly isn’t short of bars, restaurants or entertainment venues. F1 Arcade succeeds because it combines all three.
You can arrive knowing virtually nothing about Formula 1 and still have fun, while genuine motorsport fans get something much closer to their natural habitat.
It’s competitive without taking itself too seriously, stylish enough for a night out and sufficiently accessible for first-time racers.
And somewhere between the lights going out and your friend disappearing past you into the first corner, you may discover a competitive streak you never knew you had.
F1 Arcade Birmingham
2 Chamberlain Square, Paradise
Birmingham B3 3AX
Visit F1 Arcade HERE
