9 best locations to catch the F1 race in Singapore (including free spots)
By Sheila Chiang
SINGAPORE – Didn’t get your tickets to the Grand Prix? Don’t want to pay the exorbitant ticket price? That’s all right!
We have listed out the best spots to catch sprawling views of the Singapore Grand Prix race. Rooftop bar 1-Altitude is a mainstay as it offers an unbeatable, 360-degree view of the entire city landscape while Helix Bridge is actually one of the best (and free) viewing spots.
More often than not, excellent views come with a price. However, we have also included places which are completely free and you don’t have to pay a single dime (as a fair warning, they are going to be super crowded). Get there early and secure a good spot to witness the F1 cars racing.
You would also need the full circuit map to check out the different landmarks located along the tracks.
Smoke & Mirrors, on the rooftop of National Gallery
Perched on top of National Gallery Singapore, the best thing about this rooftop bar is its view - it overlooks the Padang Grandstand portion of the Singapore Grand Prix track. On the terrace, you can catch cars zooming past for the practice and qualifying sessions in the run-up to the finals.
On Friday (20 Sep), drink up with deals running on Lanson Champagne, Johnnie Walker and John Walker & Sons all night long, and dance it all off to groovy tunes by Yafith A. Hamid (YA5TH) and Joshua Pillai from NINETEEN80.
With funky beats and rhythms, YA5TH and Joshua’s eclectic style that embraces a range of genres will have you jamming to their tracks all night long.
Admission is free – everyone’s invited to join for the party.
For more information and reservations, call or Whatsapp +65 9380 6313 or email reserve@smokeandmirrors.com.sg.
When: 20 Sep, 10.30PM to 2AM
Address: 1 St. Andrew's Road, #06-01 National Gallery Singapore 178957
Sip classic and contemporary cocktails at Mandarin Oriental’s MO Bar
Located at the 4th floor, MO Bar at Mandarin Oriental offers a great view of the track at Turn 6 with warm furnishings and an impressive cocktail menu. Evocative concoctions to surprise and delight include ‘Coconut Beaches of Fiji’ with pisco and carbonated coconut cream and ‘Mother of Dragons’ with strawberry aloe vera and cachaça.
The cocktail menu can be paired with eclectic light bites including ‘Somen Noodles with Tasmanian Crab’, ‘Indo-China Prawns with Masala Mayo’ and ‘Singdog with Achar’.
For reservations, book online at or call +65 6885 3500.
When: 20 – 22 Sep, 11AM to 2AM
Address: 5 Raffles Ave, Marina Square, Singapore 039797
Experience the F1 high at the world’s highest urban microbrewery LeVel33
With the unobstructed view of the Marina Bay, guests will be guaranteed a front row view of the exhilarating F1 race during the practice sessions on Friday night and final race on Sunday night. Live screening of the race will be played indoors for all three days of the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Terrace promotion ($138+ per guest, 20 – 22 Sep, 6pm to 10pm) guarantees free flow of house-brewed beers, house wines and soft drinks. Cover charge for walk-in patrons is at $38++ per guest; free-flow top-up is an additional $60++.
For reservations, email reservations@level33.com.sg, or call +65 6834 3133.
When: 20 – 22 Sep, 6PM – 10PM
Address: 8 Marina Boulevard #33-01 Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1 Singapore 018981
Floor-to-ceiling panoramic views over the F1 circuit at SKAI Bar
Fancy getting a circuit-side look as the cars whizz around Turn 9 of the racetrack?
SKAI offers exactly that from its perch on the 70th floor of Swissôtel, The Stamford. Pair the excitement with the Ultimate Brunch ($258++ per adult; 21 & 22 Sep; 11am to 2pm), which include fresh lobsters, three types of premium oysters, free-flow alcoholic beverages and exquisitely plated dishes. See the menu here. There will also be a live DJ for the ultimate dining experience.
Book online at www.skai.sg, email skai@swissotel.com or call 6837 3322.
Address: 2 Stamford Rd, level 70 Swissôtel The Stamford, Singapore 178882
When: 21 & 22 Sep, 11AM to 2PM
Feel on top of the world at world’s highest alfresco bar 1-Altitude
Hands-down the best rooftop bar (in our all-honest opinion) in Singapore, 1-Altitude is also the highest alfresco bar in the world!
Besides a panoramic 360-degree view of Singapore’s skyline, the multi-storey nightspot that sits atop One Raffles Place also offers unbeatable bird’s eye views of the race track all the way from 282 metres up.
The Circuit Party featuring DJs Sandro Silva and Sherpa Jorge takes place over the F1 weekend on the 1-Altitude rooftop.
Charges are $68 for entry from 6PM-9PM (includes one F1 cocktail and one premium pour), and $88 for entry after 9PM (includes one F1 cocktail and one premium pour).
For reservations, call 6438 0410 or e-mail reservations@1-altitude.com
When: 20 – 22 Sep
Address: 1 Raffles Place, Level 63, Singapore 048616
Catch the spectacular view from a capsule on the Singapore Flyer
Closed to the general public from 20 to 22 September, Singapore Flyer will be exclusively open to Singapore Grand Prix pass holders with access to Zone 2.
A capsule on Singapore Flyer will provide the best seats in the house, with a clear and breath-taking 30-min view of the high-octane race action from the observation wheel.
Tickets cost $33 for an adult and $21 for a child. If you are feeling like it, you may purchase a private capsule for up to 28 guests at $1,500.
Flight tickets can be purchased at their Ticketing Counter, which operates from 3.00pm to 11.30pm from 20 to 22 September.
When: 20 – 22 Sep; daily flights are from 8.30am – 10.30pm; last flight admission is at 10.15pm
Address: 30 Raffles Avenue Singapore 039803
AND THE FREE SPOTS…
Helix Bridge is actually one of the best (and free) viewing spots
The Helix Bridge is a pedestrian bridge linking Marina Bay to Marina Centre - you don’t have to pay a single dime or hefty cover charges to gain access.
We have to give a heads-up – it will be very, very crowded over the F1 weekend as everyone will be swarming to the free spots.
How to go: Cut through Marina Square Mall from the City Link Mall, exit through the back and you’ll be a few metres away from the bridge.
Between Turns 5 and 6 lies Millenia Walk on Raffles Boulevard
For those who want the perfect vantage point on T6, head to the link bridge connecting to Marina Square! You can see your favourite F1 driver zipping along Raffles Boulevard.
It’s completely free so do head there early to get a good spot as many people would definitely be swarming there as well.
How to go: The nearest MRT Station is Promenade MRT Station. Millenia Walk is located opposite The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia.
Grab dinner at Marina Square and head to Roof Garden
Another free option is Marina Square. You can consider getting dinner at the shopping mall and catch a glimpse of the race on the stretch between T15 and T17 along Raffles Avenue at the Roof Garden located on the third floor.
How to go: Nearest MRT Station is Promenade MRT Station. Walk through Millenia Walk to reach Marina Square (exit from Millenia Walk's entrance facing Raffles Boulevard and get on the escalator to Level 2).
