You may not have Brad Pitt’s jawline or Damson Idris’ movie deal, but at the new F1 Arcade at The Interlock in West Midtown, you can finally ( if only for a few laps), step into the driver’s seat and test your Formula One fantasy, without ever leaving the city.
A preview event held this week offered the first public look inside F1 Arcade, a high-energy motorsports entertainment destination opening next month in West Midtown at The Interlock. The Atlanta location will be the brand’s eighth worldwide and its first in Georgia, bringing an immersive racing simulation, chef-driven dining, and a full-service bar to the area’s growing nightlife scene.
The 15,000-square-foot venue features 68 full-motion racing simulators designed to replicate the feel of Formula One driving, complete with multiple skill levels to accommodate both first-timers and seasoned gamers. Guests do not need prior knowledge of F1 or even a driver’s license to participate.
“This is the world’s first Formula One social entertainment destination,” said Liz Norris, vice president of U.S. launch strategy and communications to the attending crowd. “If you know nothing about F1, let this be your introduction. You don’t need to know a thing to have a blast.”
Norris said the preview coincided with the opening of the reservation system, with the official grand opening scheduled for Feb. 6. While construction and staff training are still underway, attendees were invited to test simulators, tour the space, and take part in a celebratory champagne toast.
Beyond racing, the venue aims to position itself as a social hub. The bar program includes curated cocktails, including nonalcoholic options, while the menu is led by an executive chef. Music, DJ-led nights, and private events are also planned.
Jonathan Peters, CEO of F1 Arcade, said Atlanta stood out as a strategic expansion city for the brand’s growing U.S. footprint.
“Atlanta is clearly one of the great cities in the U.S.,” Peters said. “From an F1 point of view, there’s nothing really like this here yet. People are crying out for experiential nights out, something that brings adrenaline but is still social and accessible.”
Peters emphasized that the experience is designed to appeal beyond racing enthusiasts.
“You could have no interest in racing and still want to come here,” he said. “It’s about the environment, the food, the drinks, the music, and being able to socialize. Ultimately, we want guests to leave happier than when they arrived.”
From a development perspective, the addition of F1 Arcade marks another major tenant for The Interlock, a mixed-use complex known for blending dining, retail, and entertainment.
Adriana Siciliano, community manager and tenant relations manager at Stream Realty Partners, said conversations to bring the venue to West Midtown began early last year after F1 Arcade began scouting the Atlanta market.
“Through months of communication and negotiation, we were able to land them here,” Siciliano said. “This location is the only one in the state of Georgia and one of the very few in the Southeast.”
Siciliano said the venue is expected to draw visitors from across Atlanta, the state and neighboring regions, whether they are longtime motorsports fans or simply looking for something new.
“Anyone and everyone,” she said. “If you’re interested in F1 or just want to try a new experience, this is the place to do it.”