{
  "id": 13716683,
  "title": "SG F1 craze overshadows heat & haze as restaurants see more unfazed crowds continue to dine & drink outdoors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/sg-f1-craze-overshadows-heat-haze-as-restaurants-see-more-unfazed",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-11T10:33:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Independent Singapore",
    "slug": "the-independent-singapore",
    "url": "https://theindependent.sg/sg-f1-craze-overshadows-heat-haze-as-restaurants-see-more-unfazed-crowds-continue-to-dine-drink-outdoors"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "During Singapore's Formula 1 weekend, outdoor restaurants and bars near the race circuit saw a surge in business, defying unhealthy air quality. Drinks & Co, run by Depa Nagarajan, reported business better than usual, while Duomo Ristorante was completely booked throughout the week. Despite the central region's PSI reading peaking at 192 on Friday, signifying unhealthy air quality, diners continued to enjoy meals outdoors without masks, reveling in the sounds of the race.\n\nVisitors, both tourists and locals, appeared more inclined to dine and drink outdoors compared to previous years. Many establishments equipped their outdoor dining areas with air coolers and provided masks for customers. However, international visitors were driving demand, while fewer locals were dining out due to the haze. The pattern suggests that major events can sustain business even with uncomfortable outdoor conditions.\n\nDespite strong sales, unhealthy weather and air quality continue to impact customers. Tourists are planning outdoor activities as locals take precautions, such as wearing masks and staying hydrated. A Jim Beam pop-up at CHIJMES also attracted crowds, featuring live music, drinks, and a racing simulator. The event's manager anticipated over a thousand visitors during the race weekend. Some visitors had contingencies in place, carrying masks and planning to spend more time in shopping malls if the air quality worsened.\n\nThe weekend demonstrates how a major event can keep restaurants busy, even in less-than-ideal conditions. However, businesses and visitors should take the unhealthy air quality seriously, adhere to public health advice, and utilize indoor spaces when necessary.",
  "summary": "Summary Restaurants and bars at Raffles City and CHIJMES reported strong demand during Singapore’s Formula 1 weekend despite unhealthy air quality. Drinks & Co manager Depa Nagarajan said business had been better than usual, while Duomo Ristorante reported full houses throughout the week. Singapore recorded a central-region PSI reading of 192 on Friday, while the government offered Indonesia…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}