In Formula 1, Sunday "marks the end of the working week," according to Kate Walker of the N.Y. TIMES. As a consequence, "for many years the adrenaline of team members and fans had nowhere to burn off because of the traditional early closing hours of bars on a Sunday night." So Sonia Irvine, a physiotherapist for Ferrari and sister of Eddie Irvine, a former driver for the team, "stepped in and created Amber Lounge Hospitality" and the F1 after-party. Its success "has since spawned competitors and a boisterous world of night life" around F1. Ferrari driver Kimi Räikkönen said, "Every Formula 1 driver has Amber Lounge on speed dial after a race. It's the only place to celebrate with friends and team members." Amber Lounge "has since expanded to include dinners, fashion shows and club events" in Abu Dhabi, Mexico and Singapore. The parties at the Singapore Grand Prix "are particularly lively, with half a dozen groups promoting events." Irvine: "A natural evolution for us has been the Amber Lounge Fashion Show, which is the prelude to the weekend’s parties at three of our events: Monaco, Singapore and Mexico City. Fashion is such a huge part of the spectacle of Amber Lounge that it was an obvious extension of the brand." The fashion shows "also raise money for charity." While the club nights "are open to the public, deep pockets are required." Tables for eight at Amber Lounge can cost up to $23,000, drinks included, while basic individual passes are about $900 (N.Y. TIMES, 9/15).
