CNN
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The Monaco Grand Prix kicks off in Monte Carlo this weekend, a race that combines glamour and adrenaline for the tens of thousands who flock to the beautiful Principality, as well as the millions watching around the world.
Even those who normally have no interest in motorsport can find themselves enthralled, or at least intrigued, by the spectacular sight of Formula One cars hurtling along the country's winding roads.
Other scenes see celebrities joyfully jostling and jostling their way through the crowds and cameras. “This is the most exhilarating thing I've ever experienced,” Spider-Man actor Tom Holland exclaimed as he walked the grid last year.
And of course, there's plenty of wealth on display.
Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Mercedes British driver Lewis Hamilton walks during the drivers' parade before the 2023 Formula One Grand Prix at the Monaco Circuit on May 28, 2023.
Monaco has the nickname “Billionaire's Playground” for good reason: Designer shops, supercars, multi-million dollar yachts and astronomically priced restaurants are the norm here, but the eye-popping extravagance triples during the three-day Grand Prix.
When demand is high and choice is limited, it's all a battle between the world's wealthiest people, eager to party until dawn at the race's iconic locations.
If they're not using their own superyacht as a base, they might book a private villa on the Côte d'Azur or check into the Fairmont Hotel in Monte Carlo, the Hotel Hermitage, or the Hotel de Paris.
Pioneer of Grand Prix party culture
Of course, it's not just about finding a top-notch suite to rest in, but also finding premium spots to dine and club, like the top-floor tables at Cipriani, Sass Café and Café de Paris, or the best booths at upscale nightspots like Jimmy'z and Amber Lounge.
The latter is known as a must-visit spot for F1 fans, including Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, and past guests have included Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Minogue and Prince Albert of Monaco.
Founded in 2003 by former racing driver Eddie Irvine's sister Sonia as a “post-race destination” for drivers and VIP guests, the Amber Lounge is considered a pioneer of Grand Prix party culture.
Most notably, the festival will mark its 20th anniversary (after a year-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic) with a spectacular weekend in Monaco as “the world's most exclusive party.” The three-night event cost just over 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million) to produce.
Ernie North
Tickets for the race day yacht parties can cost thousands of dollars.
An after-party will be held at the Amber Lounge Beach Club on the terrace of Le Meridien Beach Plaza (the only hotel in Monte Carlo with a private beach), and there will also be VIP viewing of the race from a 108-foot superyacht moored just a few feet from the circuit's famous Tobacco Corner.
“The size of the yacht means you're as close to the action as possible, unlike larger yachts that pull away from shore. It also feels more intimate and special on board. We have a lot of repeat clients (mostly from the US, UK and Middle East) who want to network and build relationships,” said Lauren Green, managing director of Amber Lounge, who also oversees logistics for the three-day pop-up event in Monaco and other F1 destinations such as Singapore, Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi.
Naturally, tickets to the most popular trackside spots don't come cheap.
A one-day VIP viewing package for Sunday's race itself costs 3,500 euros ($3,800) per person, and all 65 tickets sold out within two weeks of going on sale in May 2023.
The dress code is “Riviera chic,” but even the most expensive shoes must be removed upon boarding to avoid scratching the yacht's teak deck. Tickets include unlimited drinks, including champagne, wine, and specialty cocktails, food, a DJ, and dancers, and the tender boat returns to shore at 6:30pm.
At the club's after-parties during race weekends, a small army of waiters steadily serves drinks to a thousand-strong crowd on Saturday and Sunday nights. Upon arrival, guests ring a bell and a gloved hand emerges from a wall of flowers to offer them a glass of champagne. Attendees pay anything from 600 euros ($650) for entry to the after-party on Saturday (F1 qualifying day) to 800 euros ($870) for entry to the after-party on Sunday (race day), hoping to party secluded from the public eye along with the drivers, celebrities and well-heeled guests.
Joash Lee
A bottle of champagne served at the Amber Lounge after-party will cost as much as 20,000 euros ($21,600).
For 40,000 euros ($43,400), partygoers can reserve what's called the “Diamond Table Package” for 10 people, which includes a prime table with an unobstructed view of the stage and DJ booth (2024 performers include Fatman Scoop and Jax Jones), a circus-themed performance, six liters of Methuselah champagne and premium vodka. You can add 10,000 euros ($10,800) for Salmanazar (a nine-liter bottle of champagne that requires a team of four to carry it to your table) or 20,000 euros ($21,600) for a Balthazar-sized, 12-liter bottle.
Tables on the top floor will have a dedicated “host” who acts as a concierge, liaising with VIP assistants and drivers to ensure that guests are greeted without having to wait in line and escorted along the black carpet.
The Amber Lounge may be one of the most exclusive and expensive events held over the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, but Monte Carlo itself is quintessential party central: it's common to see the track cleared of champagne glasses and bottles left over from the previous night's revelries before the day's qualifying and race sessions.
“The Côte d'Azur is truly one of the great global tourist destinations and Monaco is at its heart – the scenery, sophistication and luxury are unmatched,” says Bruce Bandler, senior vice president of business development at global sports marketing company rEvolution, who lived in Monaco for three years as commercial director for AS Monaco FC.
“As a former resident, I can say that having an F1 Grand Prix in Monaco has two sides to it. On the one hand, your city becomes the centre of the world for a weekend, and the 1% of the 1% from all over the world flock here to take part in crazy parties and events on yachts, in luxury hotel suites and in hilltop mansions,” Bandland explained.
Ryan Pierce/Getty Images
Fans watch the race during qualifying for the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix.
“On the one hand, it feels like a hurricane combined with New Year's Eve. The week before the race, grocery store shelves are empty because locals know that it's impossible to travel around the Principality when the F1 circus comes to town. During the Grand Prix, even quiet neighborhood bars have lines around the corner, $100 admission fees and $50 drinks instead of the usual $20. But it's a truly unforgettable weekend, with a vibe and energy like no other. Yes, it's expensive, but come Monday, everything will be back to normal.”
In an extreme place like Monaco, this is the norm. As the jet set moves on to its next port of call and the race track is dismantled, the Amber Lounge Club is also gearing up for the next F1 event in Singapore in September.
“There are no breaks at the Amber Lounge,” Green joked, “just a lot of adrenaline and a lot of coffee.”
