Vegas is a city of extremes. There are high temperatures and high stakes, huge buffets and huge entertainers. So when it comes to some crazy Friday night girl-on-girl family fun, why not do it up right with the Fabulous Sin City Roller Girls?

The Sin City Roller Girls in action

The Roller Girls operation is actually composed of two teams, The Notorious VIP and The Tommy Gun Terrors. They also take the best of their best on the road for all-start play. But when they’re at home, you can usually catch them at the Las Vegas Roller Hockey Center, on East Sahara Ave. a few miles east of the Sahara Hotel (on the Las Vegas Strip). They occasionally have outdoor matches, so check their schedule for their upcoming bouts.

Bouts at the Roller Hockey Center are a blast. Get there early if you want a decent seat and be forewarned, you may not have a chair. Also remember that you are at a roller derby and these girls can move fast. If you’re a little flinchy about getting body checked by a blond bombshell in fishnets, take a seat in the second or third row.

For as rough and tumble as this sport can be, it’s very family friendly. You hear very little (if any) swearing from the crowd and, once the jam is over, these girls know the meaning of good sportsmanship. But lest you think these ladies are cupcakes and the action isn’t real, go and check out their Hall of Pain. These brakes and bruises are for real.

Brave fans take coveted ringside seats.

If you’re not familiar with the sport, have no fear. They usually print a program that explains the basic rules and fans are happy to help walk you through the finer points of the game. It’s a great way to meet a very diverse group of people in this city. If you like them enough, you can all head downtown after the match to party with the team at their usual hangout, Mickie Finnz, on Fremont Street in Downtown Vegas.

Food and beverages are available at the arena, but are about as complex as what you’d find at a little league game. You may want to bring a jacket, the building is aging and drafty. There’s a gaggle of interesting restaurants in the Commercial Center area as well if you want to try something new.

[Photos by Nancy Syzdek]