If your ideal night out involves cocktails, competition, and pretending you’re about to take Turn 1 at Daytona at 180 mph, Grandview’s newest entertainment spot may be worth checking out.
Outlaw Motor Speedway officially opened this week at 1291 Grandview Ave., bringing a full-scale racing simulator bar to Columbus’ growing lineup of experiential nightlife concepts.
The new venue combines professional-style racing simulators with sports-bar energy, offering guests the chance to race everything from Formula 1 cars to dirt track machines while NASCAR, IndyCar, and F1 broadcasts play across wall-to-wall screens.
And no, this isn’t one of those arcade racing games where you mash the gas pedal and bounce off walls for three laps. Outlaw is leaning heavily into realism.
The space features 16 cockpit-style racing simulators with force feedback steering, competitive racing software, and access to more than 150 vehicles and nearly 140 tracks. Guests can race solo, compete against friends, join leagues, or book private events.
The concept comes from EPIC Brands, the hospitality group behind Agave & Rye.
The taco chain’s menu will also be available inside Outlaw, so expect cocktails, margaritas, and plenty of over-the-top food options between races.
Grandview already has no shortage of food and entertainment spots, but Outlaw adds something Columbus has only recently started to embrace: sim racing culture.
Last year, Downtown Columbus welcomed Racing Line, the city’s first dedicated racing simulator venue. Outlaw now becomes the second major sim racing bar in the area, signaling that competitive virtual motorsports may be carving out a real audience locally.
The timing makes sense.
Formula 1’s popularity in the United States has exploded over the past several years, NASCAR remains a massive draw, and racing simulators have become increasingly common for everyone from casual gamers to serious amateur drivers. Some professional racers even use advanced simulators as part of their training routines.
Outlaw appears to be aiming for a more social, nightlife-focused version of that world, where the experience matters just as much as the lap times.
The venue is also hiring simulator crew members and simulator bartenders, suggesting staff will help guests get set up, run races, and troubleshoot equipment throughout the night.
While walk-ins will likely be welcome, racing simulator venues tend to fill up quickly on weekends, especially for group races and events. Reservations will probably become the move once the word gets out.
For Columbus, it’s another sign that entertainment venues are getting more interactive, more niche, and a lot less traditional. Bowling and darts had a good run. Now everyone wants to qualify for pole position. To learn more about Outlaw Motor Speedway, you can visit their website here.
