Singapore and the Grand Prix have a lot in common: both should be experienced at least once in your life, both will make everyone back at home steam with envy, and both increase dopamine levels in ways that a regular holiday can’t achieve.
With Formula 1 gearing up for another Singapore takeover from 20 - 22 September, you’ve got just enough time to wrangle the rev-heads in your life and embark on a lads trip to end all lads trips.
​​Grand Prix Singapore Season (GPSS) accompanies the on-track action and is a whole spectacle that rages on for 10 days until the final race. There’s a lot to get through once your plane’s touched down. Here’s what not to miss:
The insane parties
Now, we know a lads trip to the Grand Prix is all about the race, but that doesn’t mean the city doesn’t turn up the heat outside the track. All weekend, insane parties pop up around Singapore that are a must for anyone looking to keep the night pushing.
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After the race, swap out the grandstands for Amber Lounge – one of the most exhilarating after-parties on the F1 circuit. The vibe? A swanky nightclub, all decked out and ready for fun to continue into all hours of the night. Tickets and bookings are available for Grand Prix weekend now, so you can hit the dancefloor that many A-listers and celebs have before you.
If you’re after a beach club vibe, your search ends at the Tipsy Unicorn. This beach club is a vibrant weekend escape like no other. And, for Grand Prix Weekend, Tipsy Unicorn is inviting you for their F1 themed party, Feel the G Force. F1 ticket holders can enter through the VIP lounge, take photos with the 360-degree Beachfront Camera, and indulge in specially curated F1 food and cocktails for VIP members.
The adrenaline pumping experiences
If you want to kick your adrenaline into overdrive, Singapore has you covered.
First up, don’t miss the Sim Racing Carnival 2024. With simultaneous events held throughout Singapore and China, this cross-border competition literally puts you in the driver’s seat. You’ll have multiple practice sessions throughout the day to finetune your skills before battling it out with other competitors to see who comes out tops. Test your skills and see if you can zoom all the way into the grand finale.
Then, take the race to another level (or 3 levels, actually) with HyperDrive, Asia’s first gamified electric go-kart circuit. You can collect power ups to sabotage your competitors, as well as boosts to give you that extra leg-up. Completely immersed in special lighting and sound effects, this is a truly one-of-a-kind race experience not even the F1 can provide.
If you’re looking for an adrenaline boost on the high seas, the RHIB Speedboat Tour delivers just that. Whip across the waves and soak up the maritime history of Singapore’s Southern Islands, with some packages also offering guided tours and swims in island spots.
The delicious drinks and tasty treats
No lads trip is complete without indulging in the best food and drink a destination has to offer, and, on Grand Prix weekend, Singapore’s award-winning food and drink scene kicks into high gear.
During GPSS, you and your mates can revel in Off The Grid at The Southern Depot, an event which promises exclusive day-to-night dining, arts, entertainment and retail activities at Gillman Barracks. Various hotspots will be serving up F1 specials to get you in the spirit. Try Kaffa Bella’s Charcoal Coconut Sorbet, served with an array of fruits, superfoods & drizzle of choice, and pair it with a Charcoal Latte brewed from freshly ground Tiong Hoe Speciality Coffee. Head to the Little Island Brewing Co., where F1 ticket holders can nab a very special brew — a limited edition Vertigo Double IPA. And make a pitstop at Kult Bespoke to peruse a range of handcrafted leather goods. You can even design your own Bucket Bag and print your name with a century-old hot stamping machine.
After that, head to the Grande Whisky Museum to take part in the week-long extravaganza that is the Grande Whisky Speedfest. Speaking to lovers of both motorsports and whisky, mixologists meticulously craft seven exclusive cocktails, each one a tribute to the spirit of the Grand Prix's exhilarating spirit, offering a new and exciting way to enjoy your whisky.
Your trip to Singapore won’t be complete without a visit to Singapore's renowned hawker centres — open-air food courts that serve up a mind-bending variety of local favourites from chicken rice to prawn noodles and satay. Explore the historic Chinatown Complex, trendy Tiong Bahru, or the ever-popular Maxwell Food Centres. Turn dinner into drinks with Singapore’s award-winning bar scene, where there is really something for everyone. Enjoy locally-inspired creations at Hopscotch, hit the d-floor at Jungle Ballroom, or relax with a handcrafted drink at the vintage-inspired Stay Gold Flamingo.
The main event
If you’re there for more than just the racing action, the Singapore Grand Prix has been known to pull some of the world’s biggest musicians for the festivities. Last year’s edition brought big names like Post Malone, Kings of Leon, Groove Armada and Robbie Williams to the stage — so brace yourselves for the 2024 line-up which is still being expertly kept under wraps.
With a stacked program and an exciting race to follow, book your tickets quick for what would be the ultimate lads trip to Singapore!
It’s time to hit up your mates and send them more Singapore itinerary inspo to get their motors running.
Topics:Â Formula 1
Jackson Langford