Tallahassee Nightlife

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OK, I had a tough time. I couldn't decide which category to write up Capital Punishment and the Jailbreak Betties, Tallahassee's two roller derby teams. Sure, it's a sport, but...in the end I chose nightlife tip because it's more of an event than a game.

Roller Derby has been resident in Tallahassee since 2006, and we presently have two teams. The "A" team is Capital Punishment, and I'm told that they're pretty well-thought of on a state and national basis. They DO beat the crap out of a lot of teams, so I guess that's true.

The "B" team is called the Jailbreak Betties, and they play a "B" level schedule, and serve as a training ground for skaters bound for Capital Punishment.

We all know what the words roller derby conjure into our minds... "Wrestling on Skates" comes to mind. And yes, it does have aspects of a three ring circus, except that there's only one circus. It is and has become very popular in Tallahassee. On my recent (and first ever) visit to watch Capital Punishment, tickets were sold out about 90 minutes ahead of the match.

Generally, going to the roller derby has it all...
> people watching
> lots of action and violent collisions
> catered by one of our best local bars - good food, beer and a full bar
> a pleasant and fun-loving crowd

I was a bit surprised to see the crowd demographics. First of all, many many people have convinced me that roller derby fans are "guys", or the sport is a "guy thing". Not so... during our recent visit, the crowd was easily 50/50 male/female. And, I expected a wrestling crowd. Again, my inclinations were wrong, there were many many young professionals in attendance. I sat next to a lady who works as a biologist for the state of Florida. And yes, she said she skated previously for a team in Tampa.

All of the skaters and officials are volunteers...nobody makes any money. All monies raised with ticket sales and such go towards travel expense for road games. In fact, most of the players are paying TO play. It's sport for the pure enjoyment of playing the sport.

Yes, it's outrageous and over the top. But if you've ever smiled while watching a Cyndi Lauper video, or that sort of weirdness, you'll find roller derby to be interesting on some level. They usually have a "theme" for each game, and the night that we went was "Rocky Horror Derby Night". There is a live band at one end of the room, playing some pretty God-awful and yet somehow catchy metallic rock and roll. I guess all the beer improved my opinion of the band.

And... the players have all come up with generally outrageous names and stage personnae. Among my favorites were the Pixie Pounder (and her giant cartoon hammer), Fem Venomous, and Moxie Knockout. Oh yes, there's also Kelly Ruggles, the president of the Capital Punishment team, and the support group coordinating both Tallahassee teams, the Tally Rollergirls.... Kelly is one of the nicest people around, and we exchanged several emails ahead of my visit to watch Capital Punishment. It's clear that all of the CP ladies are well schooled in a positive public face, welcome and marketing. Oh yes, Kelly also has a stage name, she calls herself the "Fat Ass Bittch". (deliberately mis-spelled to get past VT autocensor)

Not to be outdone, the officials (referees) also have crazy made-up stage names. My favorite was "Coitis Interruptus, Emperor of Rome". Ahhhh nobility.

The schedule, being minor league-club levels sports, is a bit haphazard. See the website below for updated and accurate information. Ticket prices are $11 each ahead of the match, and $13 at the gate. If you show up "at the gate" and aren't about 90 minutes early, "you snooze, you lose", they'll be sold out.

Oh I almost forgot.... the score. Capital Punishment showed their moxie and muscle, running roughshod over the visiting "Molly Rogers" from Brevard County. (Daytona Beach) The score was something like 120-15.

NOTE, PLEASE SEE MY SEPARATE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT/ROLLER DERBY TRAVELOGUE ON MY TALLAHASSEE PAGE. More pictures and a little homage to Jim Croce as well. :)

Dress Code: Dress code? Dress code? You HAVE to be kidding.

Generally, the crowd is dressed casually... this is not a strip joint or anything. But, depending on the night's theme, some of the participants may have some crazy outfits on display. You can imagine what ROCKY HORROR DERBY NIGHT brought to the table.

tennessee street just across from the fsu campus has numerous bars and night clubs catering to the college crowd. not for old folks like me but a fun area for 20 somethings. pictured is ken's pub where i enjoyed 25 cent drafts back in the 1960's.

potbelly's & the painted lady are two bars in converted houses next to each other. potbelly's is a typical college bar that offers live bands and dancing. the painted lady has more of a bar atmosphere. the cleintele are college students and 20 something locals. a fun place to visit for old folks like me after fsu football games. worth checking out especially on football weekends. for fun check out the painted lady website. after visiting the painted lady you decide if it is as "upscale" as the site suggests.

There are plenty of places to go out at night, but it really depends on what you like. Most places are typical American bars, with popular music, dance, and cheap beer. Probably, Waterworks is one of the very few exceptions.

Fun Station, Inc.
We did not found so many good places to go out at night.
Sometime we visited the Fun Station some times. Here is a little describtion: Features areas only thrill ride, plus 36 hole miniature golf, bumper boats, batting cages, pizza kitchen and 'Actual Reality Laser Tag´(it´s a lot of fun but nothing for children!!)

We did not found so many good places to go out at night. Sometimes we went to that bookstore at night and drink a cup of coffee or coke.
That bookstore is open 24 hours and it´s possible to read some magazins or books there without buying.

Sure, there are tons of clubs around Tally, none of them are too exciting (Club Jade is the only exception, and only every once in a while). Your best bet is a movie if you're bored. If you're a student, check out what's playing at the Student Life Building on campus (it's free -- non-students are $3)... lotsa neat stuff comes through there. The AMC theatre in the Tallahassee mall (on North Monroe) is nice (better than the Gov. Square theatre on Apalachee Parkway), but the Miracle 5 on Thomasville Road is the best, bringing in 5 screens worth of foreign, artsy, and indie flicks, and is also home to the Tallahasse Film Club. If you're a cheapskate, Movies 8 on Sharer Road (off of North Monroe) is great -- $2 a showing except on Tuesdays, when it's $.50.