Bout Afterparty at Big Star Bar in the Heights

You know how the ending of “Fight Club” is so explosive, literally and figuratively, that it just makes you want more? Watching all of those skyscrapers implode while The Pixies song “Where is My Mind” wails in the background is not the kind of experience that gets you ready for a nap; you’re even more pumped than you were when Edward Norton was wiping the floor with Jared Leto’s face.

That’s what it feels like to watch the end of a Houston Roller Derby bout. You’ve watched intense, hard-hitting flat track action for the past few hours and have seen more than a handful of your favorite derby skaters peel themselves up off the floor. You can’t just swallow all that pent-up energy – not unless it’s chased by a beer, that is.

Enter: the afterparty. The season opener bout on Saturday (3/20) will be followed by hearty food, strong drinks and obligatory carousing at Big Star Bar (1005 W. 19^th) in the Heights, a place that has quickly and quietly become “the place to be” among downtown Houston locals. In this story, Houston Press reporter Shea Serrano said that Big Star's vibe radiates a studiously unkempt indifference, “a logical conclusion given its decor, locale and crowd.”

What originally sold me on Big Star was this quote from a regular who was interviewed by Serrano: “We have only one rule. Don’t be a douche. We hate douche-y bars and douchiness in general. This is not a douche-y place.” Duly noted! Put down the Summer’s Eve and visit their website here.

To sweeten the pot, Houston StrEATs will also be on hand to make sure you don’t party on an empty stomach. Co-founder and chef Jason Hill, known as Big Sexy to the roller derby crowd, said the menu will include monte cristo balls with local strawberry jam, Texas frito pie and bacon-wrapped hot dogs with kim chi relish, among other delectable treats.

Chefs and co-founders Hill (formerly of Café Brasil and Gravitas), Jason Gould (also of Gravitas) and Matt Opaleski (formerly of Aries) started the company in June 2009 and are working on making StrEATs into a chef-driven food truck business to provide gourmet lunch offerings at ever-changing locales inside the loop. Until that day, they’re providing catering services to get their name out there. Food sales will be cash only. Visit their Facebook page here.

Have you bought your bout tickets yet? Tickets are still available at the advance $12 price until 5 p.m. today at www.houstonrollerderby.com.