do you want license to cheer as girls in shorts throw each other around and try to knock other…read moregirls down, while racing around a track on skates? I think you do. which is why, roller derby lives again! it is a ridiculously entertaining cross between WWF and NASCAR, with funky, 70's realness, 4 wheeled skates (remember those?) and an enthusiastic crowd which was mostly families and hipsters when i went.
roller derby is not something I know much about, I am not the WWF type, and I have never seen the reality show (Rollergirls?) so i was pretty clueless about what was going on--but it doesn't matter. you really don't have to know the rules to enjoy it. Just have some drinks and watch the girls (and guys) in shorts fly around the banked track, knocking each other down and doing a milder version of WWF-style takedowns, complete with skate kicks, flipping out of the ring, and generally scrubbing out on a regular basis. But don't worry, kids, the violence isn't real. The fans (who presumably do know what is going on, unlike me) are very enthusiastic, there is a scoreboard and everything, and the overall effect is the fun part of a sporting event, but on fast forward. and with hair-pulling. Also the skating itself takes talent, and is pretty amazing. And they all have great nicknames.
I don't think they sell drinks there (maybe beer?) so make sure you get some drinks beforehand (pick a bar, any bar, on haight street, or kezar pub is right across the street from the entrance, if you like crowded smelly sports bars). or sneak drinks in, there was no security check. There is a parking lot next door, in case you can't find anything on the street. The tickets are around $10, the seating is bleacher style, and if you are from SF, you are rooting for the Bay City Bombers--colors are orange and black, like the giants. Last time I went to root for my friend Ron, #30 (Roll, Ronny, Roll!) and we made our own signs and fit right it. If i remember right, you can get sodas and popcorn there, not much else.
For $10, this is something fun and different to do on a Sat night. And, it is over at 10 or 10:30, plenty of time to go out after. The next "bout" is Sat Aug 18th @ 8PM at Kezar. And if you really like it, they have open track times for the general public/ training. There is more information on the (awful) website: baycitybombers.com