20 Jun CRYSTAL PALACE, DOWN & DERBY AND SKATE ROCK CITY CARVE A UNIQUE NIGHTLIFE NICHE
Since its launch in 2006, Down & Derby (at Gold Spike, 217 Las Vegas Blvd. North, sk8party.com) has been enticing partiers to relive their childhood on every second and fourth Thursday of Vegas’ warm-weather months. The 21-and-over party rolled through a variety of venues before eventually gliding into Gold Spike in 2016, where it found an ideal home.
Down & Derby founder Richard Alexander describes it as “a throwback to a fourth grade birthday party, but for adults.” Seeing the swarm of quad skaters and rollerbladers circling the pavement of Gold Spike’s backyard is enough to trigger your skating muscle memory.Nostalgia, specialty cocktails, a bumping DJ and friendly attendees keep crowds in motion—whether they’re dusting off an old pair of skates or slipping on a pair of $10 rentals.
Beyond its reputation of being a poppin’ skate event, Down & Derby is a vibrant celebration of community gathering that boasts a variety of themed nights. One week you could be grooving at disco night, the next you’re limbo-ing at the neon cowboy party. “The core theme for skating includes spandex, short shorts and afros,” says Alexander. “People love to dress up, and costumes are always going to be cool.” Read the article