by Carmen Lee
With the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix happening next week, the line-up of parties and concerts that usually accompany the electrifying night race keeps piling up. Come 15 to 17 September, the Marina Bay Street Circuit is expected to host approximately 250,000 spectators who will throng the arena in support of their favourite racecar drivers. While the annual parade of race cars whizzing around the Marina Bay Street Circuit take centrestage, fans can look forward to an assortment of invigorating and exhilarating parties and concerts, to bottomless brunches and mini circuits all around the circuit park.
Here are some of the must-catch events in Singapore’s racing season.
1. Meet & greet your favourite F1 drivers
Held on the 15 and 16 of September, petrolheads will be able to meet their favourite drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc on the circuit at the Zone 1 Wharf Stage. Thinking of rubbing shoulders with them? You must have a valid Zone 1 ticket on the corresponding day. Fans can also catch the drivers as they drive around the track in vintage cars on 17 September in the Formula 1 Drivers’ Parade.
Find out more here.
2. Race around a circuit
Immerse yourself in the festivities by racing around a mini kids circuit at Alkaff Mansion on 9 September. This family-friendly venue will ensure that you and your little ones can get a taste of being a racecar driver. Avid motorsport buffs can also have a glimpse at restored vintage cars at the Classic Car Club Showcase happening next door. Past racing glories with the likes of Porsche, Mercedes, Rolls Royce and more will be featured in this showcase.
Wildseed Bar at The Summerhouse has also planned a race-themed weekend on 16 and 17 September. With every purchase of a pint of Heineken and a main from the food menu, F1 lovers can experience the thrill of being in the driver’s seat with one lap in a special race simulator.
3. Immerse in the electrifying entertainment line-up
The pulsating entertainment line-up is arguably one of the most anticipated events during the F1 season, aside from the race. This year’s concert line-up features the most acts ever – 139 international and home-grown artistes across 13 performance and DJ stages in the circuit park, clocking in 80 hours of singalong fun.
Pop reigns supreme in this year’s Grand Prix. Look out for well-loved British music imports such as pop band Madness, singer/songwriter Robbie Williams, and pop phenomenon Culture Club. Australian indie pop band San Cisco, Caribbean musical artist Kalpee, Indonesian indie-pop band Sunwich and talented Indonesian singer Jinan Laetitia round out the international performers roster.
If hip hop’s up your alley, keep your ears peeled for American rap sensation Post Malone, Indonesian singer/songwriter NIKI, rapper Rich Brian and Warren Hue, Thailand rapper MILLI, as well as Airliftz, a singer from Malaysia. Rock lovers unite as many exciting performances await.
American alternative rock band Kings of Leon, Indian post-rock band Aswekeepsearching, and English pop-rock band The Kooks are set to give hair-raising performances to whip your head back and forth to.
For K and J-pop music fans, be prepared to be blown away by Hong Kong-born singer and rapper Jackson Wang, multilingual girl group XG, singer-songwriter and rapper BIBI, along with eccentric Japanese girl group Atarashii Gakko! will wow audiences with their talent.
On the local front, stay tuned for rising artists such as R&B and soul band Astronauts, pop singer-songwriter Matilde G, singer-songwriter Sam Dreebsby, dance troupe Royalusion and indie rock band Hijack Hayley who will keep you entertained all night.
Find out more here.
4. Tuck into a hearty brunch while catching the race action
LAVO Party Brunch: Race Edition
Those who prefer to party in the daytime can head to LAVO Italian Restaurant & Bar for its annual F1-themed brunch bash on 16 September. The epicurean extravaganza on the 57th storey of Marina Bay Sands will feature a delectable array of fresh seafood on ice, oven-baked pizzas and LAVO’s signature brunch favourites including the rigatoni tomato basil, soulful chicken alla cacciatora and a mini version of “The Meatball”. Sweeten the brunch affair with intricately crafted race-themed desserts before partying the afternoon away amidst stilt walkers, dancers and high-energy sets by guest DJ Tim Hox.
Find out more here.
The Longest Brunch at FIRE & FLNT
The Grand Prix edition of 1-Atico’s Bottomless Brunch introduces a communal twist inspired by the racing tracks. Come 10 September, diners entering FIRE and FLNT at ION Orchard’s rooftop will immediately notice extended brunch tables that are extended to impressive lengths, adorned with race-themed elements, such as race cars and checkered flags.
Besides their mains, diners can help themselves to live stations for salads, charcuterie, raw seafood bar, meat carving and desserts, as part of the all-you-can-eat brunch.
Highlights from the mains menu, that has Argentinian and Japanese-Peruvian influences, include wood-fired parillas of FIRE include Roasted Lamb Leg, Argentinian Ribeye and Roasted Pork. FLNT on the other hand, will be serving up dishes such as Flamed Salmon Warm Inka Sushi, Ceviche de Pulpo and Peruvian Chicken Tortilla Taco.
Find out more here.
Brunch on the top at 1-Arden
Perched atop the 51st floor of CapitaSpring and strategically located along the race tracks, 1-Arden is the perfect race-viewing spot for those without a ticket to the races.
Following the footsteps of sister concepts at 1-Atico, the three concepts at 1-Arden: Kaarla, Oumi and 1-Arden Bar, will be joining forces for a combined buffet brunch for the ultimate satiation on 10 September. Juxtaposing Kaarla’s Modern Australian with Oumi’s Japanese Kappo cuisine, diners can look forward to a free-flow of a la carte dishes on demand and an array of bites alongside homemade breads from the hearth as they await their mains.
Highlights from Oumi include Sushi Bowls (Tuna Poke, Bara Chirashi), Teppan dishes (Salmon Butter Yaki), deep-fried Japanese classics such as Tori Karaage and Assorted
Vegetable Tempura. On the western end, dishes from the wood-fired grill include Char-grilled Pork Belly and Roasted Angus Sirloin Beef, alongside greens such as the Kaarla Closed Loop Salad and La Latteria Burrata that utilises herbs picked from 1-Arden’s food forest.
For a comprehensive all-day brunch, diners can complete their meal with garden-to-glass cocktails from the 1-Arden Bar. Choices include Midsummers by the Bay offers a refreshing take on the vodka sour with shiso, cucumber and homemade lemon myrtle, and The Oumi Blossom that builds oolong-infused gin, cherry blossom syrup and lychee liqueur into a Japanese spring inspired gin and tonic.
Find out more here.
5. Party the night away
The most exclusive afterparty: Amber Lounge
Following the success of last year’s Amber Lounge parties in Monaco and Singapore, the world’s most exclusive afterparty, which turns 15 this year, is set to make a triumphant return to the Singapore Grand Prix on September 16 and 17. Reclaiming its original and iconic spot at Millenia Walk, Amber Lounge is geared up to deliver an even more spectacular afterparty experience through a new custom-built marquee setup that incorporates state-of-the-art ARRI lighting technology.
An exciting addition to this year’s festivities is the crowning of Miss Universe Singapore by Miss Universe Australia at the glitzy party. The winner will be revealed on Saturday evening, with all the stunning contestants gracing the afterparty to revel in style. This prestigious beauty pageant will elegantly showcase the intellect and grace of Singapore’s finest women, enhancing the weekend’s already glamorous atmosphere.
The weekend’s lineup of world-class entertainment is nothing short of spectacular. Headlining the Saturday night as the DJ act is the Grammy Award-winning international hip hop sensation, Lil Jon, alongside thrilling performances by The Stickmen Project, DJ Ono from Bangkok Invaders, DjayBuddah, and a special guest appearance by Fatman Scoop. Attendees can also anticipate a diverse range of immersive entertainment acts, including captivating aerial and cirque-inspired performances, all in line with the exuberant style that defines Amber Lounge.
Find out more here.
Full throttle at Yin Bar & Yang Club
Yin Bar, which opens out to a courtyard at Riverhouse at Clarke Quay, will be transformed into a pitstop come 15 and 16 September. The arena includes a race car installation stashed with cold drinks and food carts serving up light bites and snacks for those in need of refuelling. While pre-drinking with F1-themed libations that are available in single or group serves, the ambiance will be further elevated by a schedule of live band performances alongside photo opportunities with roving Race Car Girls from Red Bull for early evening highs.
As the night progresses, the excitement seamlessly transitions to Yang Club. Inside, party-goers can expect a continued scheme of racing elements and themed beverage packages that come with party accessories powered by Red Bull to fuel the party vibe. On the music front is a showy line-up of local DJs on 15 September with an all-night bounce of Hip Hop and R&B led by Kidd Royale of Rewind Party Collective, with the support of residents DJ Ben, Alvin and Sherpa.
On 16 Sep, the party will be headlined by three former champions of Red Bull’s Music 3Style World DJ Championship hailing from Barbados, Russia and Singapore for a throwdown of gifted turntablism expressed in various styles of music. Taking the stage first will be 2019 Singapore Champion, DJ Anrev with his knack for mashing EDM and Hardstyle into an unrelenting set.
On both nights, the stage will be graced by The Riverhouse Siren Dancers and confetti explosions for a high octane weekend worthy of closing F1 celebrations. In a bid to rally revellers to come dressed in the racing theme, the team will be spotting best-dressed contenders for a chance to win attractive prizes.
Find out more here.
Live F1 viewing at Mandala Club
Mandala Mansion promises to be a lavish affair for F1 revellers. Get front-row seats to the high-octane race action served with a culinary delights at a new collaboration between private members club Mandala and Mandarin Oriental Singapore, which will open its doors following a major hotel ravamp. Free flow champagne and premium drinks will be served, and live DJs provide the perfect backdrop to the live stream broadcast of the race on giant HD screens.
Find out more here.