So campy it's cool
Revisiting Roak: From a funeral bar to a fun night out, mermaid and sparklersincluded
Like an incurable rash you learn to live with, Roak is growing on me.
From the mermaid that occasionally occupies the (surprisingly modest) swimming pool to the sparklers that accompany every bottle, Upper Kirby's newest hot spot is so over the top it's impossible not to enjoy it — sort of like Edible Arrangements, TLC's My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding or Kathie Lee Gifford.
Having been without a legitimate nightclub within reasonable taxi distance, it's nice to have the convenience of an Affliction/Ed Hardy safari so close to home. In seriousness, though, the diversity of the crowd is one of Roak's main draws.
From preppies migrating from next door OTC or the growing collective of bars housed between the David Crockett Addition and West Ave to out-of-towners looking to chat up the locals, you're equally able to ensconce yourself with friends at a booth or hit the dance floor and meet someone you might not even share Facebook friends with.
Although the line (and the parking) can be an ordeal, the bouncer seems especially understanding of birthdays, no matter how many you have in a year. And if you can convince a friend to share a bottle, you're a shoo-in. Plus, like I said, sparklers!
After an ambivalent start and an unusual history as a funeral home, it seems Roak is quickly becoming a venue of choice for special events and Saturday nights. Tell us: What do you think of the new Upper Kirby bar district?
