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F1 Arcade’s next stop: Denver

Formula One’s racing arcade and bar is on track for a fast expansion across the U.S. and it’s racing to Colorado next.

F1 Arcade announced last week it would open a location in Denver’s River North, or RiNo, neighborhood next year. It would be the first in the state and third in the country.

The Denver F1 Arcade is scheduled to debut next year.

The site at 2734 Walnut St. has more than 15,000 square feet and will have 69 racing simulators, according to F1 Arcade’s announcement. It will also have a 19-foot island bar, outdoor terrace and a private room with 12 additional simulators.

The simulators are meant to provide a “realistic” driving experience on famous F1 tracks, including Austin’s Circuit of the Americas and Singapore’s Marina Bay Street Circuit.

F1 Arcade debuted in the U.S. this year with locations in Boston and Washington, D.C. The company said it plans an “ambitious” rollout across the country with about 30 arcades set to open in the next five years. It confirmed arcades are also coming to Las Vegas and Philadelphia.

“We’re excited to announce our expansion into Denver’s RiNo District, following the success of our Boston and Washington, D.C. locations. With its dynamic sports culture and thriving social scene, Denver is the ideal city for the next phase of F1 Arcade’s U.S. growth,” said Adam Breeden, founder and CEO of F1 Arcade, in a news release.

Airport to debut more local dining options

Denver International Airport has quickly grown its number of food and beverage concessions this year – and it’s continuing to open more.

The airport is set to debut Michelin Bib Gourmand winner Mister Oso, Lower Highland’s Italian eatery Bar Dough and Cherry Creek North’s Aviano Coffee on Friday.

The new restaurants will open in the Concourse C-East expansion area, according to DIA.

The recent slate of concession openings in 2024 comes after the airport expanded several concourses in its Vision 100 plan to broaden DIA’s infrastructure to accommodate 100 million passengers a year by 2027.

Concourse A recently debuted other recognizable local names such as Elway’s Taproom and Tacos Tequilas Whiskey.

Visit Denver hires government and community affairs director

Denver’s tourism trade association Visit Denver has a new director of government and community affairs.

Visit Denver hired Patrick Walton for the role. He has 14 years of experience within the nonprofit, private and public sectors. Walton was the assistant director of government and external affairs with Denver’s Economic Development and Opportunity agency. Before that, he worked at Mile High United Way and was director of Tax Help Colorado.

Walton will be advising on policy issues and trends affecting Denver’s tourism industry, in addition to working with local, state and federal officials.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Visit Denver team in their mission to bring convention and leisure visitors to Denver for the economic benefit of the city, the community and partner organizations,” Walton said in a news release. “I look forward to cultivating and strengthening key relationships with city leadership, business owners and stakeholders while supporting the mission of the Bureau.”