Royal Oak Theater

Royal Oak is a lot like Ann Arbor. A neighbor to trendy Ferndale and a true suburb of Detroit, it has a college town feel, partly due to its proximity to the CCS and Wayne State campuses.

Hell, it even has an American Apparel store and a Noodles & Co. But Royal Oak has its own selection of local shops and a gritty vibe that differs from Ann Arbor’s peace, love and happiness spiel.

 

 If you find yourself in Royal Oak for the day, there are a few shops that you absolutely cannot miss. Noir Leather is the leader of the pack, with its punk rock fashion inspired apparel selection in front and kinky BDSM gear in the back of the store. It’s a Royal Oak original and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a similar store in Michigan.

 Incognito is another local outfitter worth checking out, featuring men’s and women’s clothing. T-shirts with loud graphics and catchy slogans abound, and they have a great selection of fedoras and other headwear.

Burn Rubber Sneaker Boutique is the place to go for footwear, specializing in Nike, Adidas and Jordan’s models you won’t find elsewhere.

 For those with gastronomical intentions, Royal Oak does not disappoint. Its classic greasy spoon, Comet Burgers, is a fifties-style diner with a counter where you can watch the cook at work right in front of you. Prices are about the same as any diner or coney island.

The Royal Oak Brewery is a good choice for dinner, offering its own microbrews varying from IPAs to Bavarian wheat beers. For an alcohol-free way to top off the evening, head to Hookah Joe to indulge in some orange-flavored shisha and a cappuccino.

Rhiannon