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Royal Oak Music Theater
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Music Venues, Venues & Event Spaces [Edit]
318 W 4th StRoyal Oak, MI 48067
Neighborhood: Downtown Royal Oak
(248) 544-7949
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
26 reviews for Royal Oak Music Theater
26 reviews in English
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Review from Jennifer V.
Ann Arbor, MI
Updated - 11/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm gonna update my review of the ROMT because I was just here for another show, and I had a different experience at this show which was equally positive, but very different from the first show I saw here.
I saw New Found Glory here on the 3rd, and they closed off the upstairs entirely. The fiance and I ended up at the railing near the second stairwell (if that makes any sense), which was a great vantage point - I wasn't in the mood for the pit, but I didn't feel like being miles away from the stage. It was perfect.
I loved that they set up tons of bar tables everywhere for folks wanting to drink - total plus. I also loved that their shots of Jameson weren't insanely expensive, because that's essentially my go-to drink when I'm out. Between the two of us, and 6 hard liquor drinks, we only spent $43 (including tip), which was significantly less than I would've expected. The bartenders were awesome, and Brandy in particular was a great bartender (and hot t'boot!).
Definitely one of my favorite venues in the metro area, without a doubt!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/25/2011
So, I really like the place. I dunno what all the complaints are about. Perhaps some curmudgeons who… Read more »
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Review from brent b.
Ann Arbor, MI
10/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
A really great theatre.
Good acoustics,
seating and standing available,
great views from all angles,
never too expensive,
and always able to find parking.
Only thing preventing 5 stars is that beer is twice as expensive as it should be. -
Review from Annette J.
Dearborn Heights, MI
10/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
No, I'm not here to talk about catching some rock and roll or anything like that. I'm here to talk about my recent experience here catching "Max and Ruby Live." Yep, I'm full on kiddo these days thanks to my awesome little cousin.
This was a pretty good space for an event such as this. Big enough but not too big so it was easy to get through and manage youngsters. The venue doesn't have seats so they set up a bunch of chairs which wasn't the prettiest looking thing but it did the job ok. We ended up having seats on the bench in the last row of the first "level" and while it was somewhat uncomfortable for sitting it was actually a pretty perfect place for us since the little one could easily stand up and see above all the heads in front of us. Actually in the end I perched myself higher up on the second level behind us and brought her onto my lap and she could see perfectly and I wasn't blocking anyone's view because they were higher up than us anyway. Win for everyone! I'm not so sure the people in the few rows ahead of us were as lucky since everyone on first level was on the same plane so it was a bit harder to see but kids were standing on chairs, their parents laps, etc and the staff didn't give anyone a hard time about it which I appreciated (you tell a 3 year old excited to see Ruby that she has to sit down--good luck with that!).
Speaking of the staff--boy were they NICE. Super friendly and personable. We chatted for quite a while with one of the security guards as we waited for my aunt to bring us by our tickets and she was just so so fun.
Also pretty cool? Juice boxes. At the bar. Hilarious. I kind of wish they had them all the time. Sometimes you just want a nice sipper of cold apple juice, you know what I'm saying?
Admittedly it's been a REALLY long time since I've seen a traditional music show here so my recollection is a bit fuzzy but I remember it being a pretty decent joint in that regard. I'll write an update as soon as I have that experience again but for kids shows I thought this was pretty great. -
Review from Fern H.
6/6/2011
Came to the Royal Oak Music Theatre to see Robyn and was pretty impressed by the venue.
Liked:
- Huge plush lobby area as you enter the front doors
- The theatre itself is pretty wide with a few tiers and levels which I find to be a god sent for a height challenged concert goer like myself. There are a few areas with seats so there is an option of standing or sitting.
- Sound quality - not overly loud or distorted
- Ticket prices - $22 vs $40 in Toronto
Disliked:
- Bar prices - We bought tall boys of beer and a mixed drink for $9 each. Bar service was nice and quick. I also noticed a few waitresses walking amongst the crowd taking drink orders.
- Parking is metered street parking that only takes coins. There is also a 3 hr maximum so you will need to feed the meter if you're there for longer than the maximum.
The Royal Oak Music Theatre is simillar to venues in Toronto like Opera House and The Phoenix/
Had a great time at Robyn and would consider seeing another show here in the future. -
Review from Scott H.
Royal Oak, MI
4/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
After our last concert here (Iron and Wine - 4/11) I think my wife and I will pass on the venue. I think they need to reassess what kind of names they bring in and whether or not they suit the venue.
The place is your average mid level live music joint. An old theater with all the seating removed. This equates to a VERY loud crowd, many of whom seem to care less about the actual music. It seems like people are paying considerable amounts of money to talk with one another when they could do that for free outside. The standing room only factor gets old after about 15 minutes. It equals spilled drinks, lots of bumping, and lots of tall people blocking views.
We love live music and I'm sure this venue would be fine for louder acts, but I think they should reassess who they bring in due to the lack of the above mentioned issues. -
Review from Chris M.
3/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I don't get why everyone has such a hard on about this venue. I have never been too impressed, maybe most impressed with the Less Than Jake/Reel Big Fish show, but anything that wasn't nostalgia I've regretted stepping foot through the doors. So, let me elaborate.
Lets start off with the time I spent 2 1/2 hours waiting outside, in 20 degree weather in February waiting for them to open the doors for the Excision show. Sounds like fun right? I e-mailed the manager the next day and he explained Excision had had a gig in Minneapolis the night before and couldn't leave until morning, hence the delay. Thats great, but why don't you book a local DJ or two for these shows so that you can ensure doors are actually on time? Doors were originally at 6pm, pushed until 7pm, and we got in around 9:30-10. Really was a mess that shouldn't have happened.
How about sound? Yeah, the sounds is alright. I still prefer the Majestic or the Fillmore any day of the week. Sound at Excision was kind of muddy, not in a good way. I expect dubstep to have wompy bass, but I also love to hear what they are laying over top that wompity womp womp. Motorhead/Clutch wasn't much better sound wise, but it improved near the end. That Less Than Jake/Reel Big Fish show had good sound though. Seems extremely hit or miss for me.
Price wise, its Fillmore style prices with decent service. Beverage prices are nothing to write home about... except the time the bartender lady tried to charge my friend $6 for a bottle of water during Excision. Yep. Ticket prices are markedly higher than The Fillmore and Majestic, but you don't have to deal with Ticketmaster Livenation whatever they are these days. It comes out fairly even in the end, but I still wish they were a bit lower. Not a realistic wish though.
Overall, I will come back here if there is a show I must see, like say Cake. But if someone says "Hey, wanna buy a ticket and come with me to see _______?" I will respond "No, but if you pay for me I guess I will go". Its not a terrible venue, but I've had some absolutely bad experiences here. -
Review from Ryan L.
10/2/2010
The main benefit for the Royal Oak Music Theater (ROMT) is that it's centrally located in Royal Oak. It's sad that so many venues have left the city proper, but sometimes it's just convenient to go to a concert just down the road.
ROMT is a pretty big theater and a decent venue. Usually it's General Admission but I have seen them fill the place with folding chairs and have assigned seating. The theater has several tiers for easy viewing of the acts and even a balcony that is opened for overflow at times.
The music sounds good here and the lights are done well. I haven't ever gotten drinks but the bar area looks nice.
The only problem is the line out front to get in. Last night, as I have seen on other nights, there is a VIP line usually to the left and a regular line to the right. If you don't get in the right line you could get screwed. However, no one was informing people of there were two lines, until it was almost time to go in. So people waiting in the VIP line who weren't VIP were relegated to the end of the regular line, despite possibly waiting an hour or more in line.
Also, I don't know if it was the band last night or the theater, but only one person was selling merchandise. They were constantly busy and I think they could have sold more, if more people were assisting. -
Review from Kimberly S.
Royal Oak, MI
2/7/2011
Pros: This is a great place to see a show. It's intimate, but can accommodate a good number of people. The drinks are reasonable for a venue of this size. They've been pulling in bigger acts over the past few years.
Cons: The security is totally irritating. Some concerts they let you in early with the print-your-own tickets, but they don't always tell you in advance. And there's no rhyme or reason to why they do that. And once the doors open, there's always a long wait to get in. And they have a coat check in the winter, but it's hell to deal with. -
Review from Marissa H.
Royal Oak, MI
10/15/2010
I like this venue. I've seen a couple shows here, and the sound and lighting are legit.
There are some distinct advantages to ROMT if you're into drinking at concerts, which I generally am. There's a few super nice and heavily staffed bars, beer in buckets in key areas, and girls going through the crowd with drinks. I seriously would like to be one of those girls and then just frequent the front row to get a good view.
also, royal oak music theater gets good bands. the service charge is not spectacular, but you can avoid this by stopping at the box office. i was unsure how they would handle a packed show like last night's sold out sufjan stevens, but it turned out fabulous.Listed in: My Most D-Lightful Places of…
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Review from Dean S.
11/19/2009
I like the venue, it's layout and most importantly how flexible it is for the performance-style. I saw Lady Gaga, Glen Hansard and a speaker from Grand Rapids all at the ROMT within a few months of each other. Not what I would normally expect from a music theater. I love how good the view points are, in that you're not getting stuffed into a blind corner where you can see the stage.
It can get really, really crowded when a big performer is there, and the fact that it is a smoking venue has turned some away. Other reviewers have mentioned ticket prices and that can definitely be a drawback, but I still think this is the best venue north of Detroit. -
Review from Kris a.
9/23/2009
Went to the ROMT last Saturday to see "The Dan Band". The band was awesome, but on to the venue itself....
We found a spot directly across the street (meter parking), which was great. Stood in line for about 45 minutes before the doors opened (it was general admission), which wasn't so great, but at least we got to go in before those who bought tix at the box office.
The place itself was great (it was our first time being there). We ended up getting a very nice table right against the rail leading into the lower floor area. We had a great waitress who let us run a tab, which was uber-convenient! The drink prices were incredibly cheap!!! Usually they rake you over the coals at places like this, but not so this time! Our bar bill over 3+ hours was only $36 (for premium mixed drinks!).
Everyone we met working there were very helpful and friendly.
One down side was the no readmission policy. It made putting quarters in the meter difficult. The staff was great and worked with us though.
Another negative was the lack of ventilation and the abundance of smokers! Luckily we had inhalers with us!
We'll definitely be going back! -
Review from Justin S.
Ann Arbor, MI
3/28/2010
One of my favorite venues ever. It's like the Metro in Chicago, but does everything right. They don't oversell the venue, there's still room on the main floor even during a sold out show, there's swift waitress service on the floor, shot girls, great sound, great bar setups.....
I saw MSTRKRFT here a while back and then saw Tegan and Sara yesterday... thoroughly enjoyed myself. -
Review from Jonny P.
3/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
An OK venue... I went here recently for the Slaughterhouse show and it was handled quite well by the staff. Great atmosphere & security was on point. One critique, they've stolen my smoking lounge (but hey isn't it about time for me to quit). Sound & lighting were solid. Looking forward to hitting up a Dub-Step show here on the April the 8th...
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Review from Tyler B.
7/24/2009
Royal Oak music Theater is a decent place to see a show. Their bar setup is actually well thought out, making getting a drink a fairly easy, pleasant experience. That alsone earns them a special place in my heart. They also have a three tiered viewing setup, maximizing your opportunity to actually see what's on stage should you be vertically challenged. You can stand 10 feet in front of the bar and see everything, maximizing your viewing and drinking experiences. Score.
However, two drawbacks. One, the place is expensive. It seems like every show here is at least $30. Wilco is one of the few bands I can justify paying $30 bucks for - especially since in this case it also involves a drive to RO. But for a normal show, it can be a dealbreaker. Two, they clearly ran out of money when finishing this place. Stucco walls and ceiling? Classy guys - way classy.Listed in: I will rock your face!
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Review from Matthew S.
Monroe, MI
6/23/2011
Saw The National, Sonic Youth, and Tegan and Sara here. The sound has always been of decent quality, and the venue clean. It's a decent middle between an arena and the kind of small, intimate venue I ultimately prefer. It's certainly not shabby-looking from the inside, either, being nicely adorned and having a more theatrical feel than some similar venues. They attract good bands, so you may find yourself here just to see someone you like, and it's not a bad place to end up at all.
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Review from Liz H.
Ferndale, MI
9/24/2008
It's no State Theatre (Fillmore, sorry, I'm never gonna get used to that).
Yes, it's a big, cavernous, golden, beautiful old theatre. And granted, the new bar and the light system and the paint job -- it's all great, don't get me wrong. It's just so big that most events there feel like failures because it's so empty.
Full disclosure: I have not seen a huge show there. In fact, I'd like to go see Michael Franti & Spearhead on November 7 and hope to see the ROMT at its best.
But the things that I've been to there -- promotional events, mixers, networking events, "girls' nights out" -- have fallen flat, not because of something lacking in the ROMT itself, it's just so big.
It is quite serviceable, it just seems like a cringer when there are ten people dancing, and all the rest are sitting on stool at least 75 feet away from the stage.
I'll get back to you after Michael Franti. -
Review from Lisa W.
Flint, MI
5/14/2008 1 photo
I went to see Mos Def perform here when he came out with New Danger. It is in a great area in downtown Royal Oak. I had a lot of fun at the venue because like Katia said, it is pretty easy to get near the stage! I could see every feature of Mos Def's handsome face. The bar aspect was not memorable, but as far as a venue goes, I enjoyed myself a lot.
It used to be a movie theater so the architecture is very interesting and beautiful. You can also rent out the venue to host your own private party.
They get a really great range of performers. Recently Bright Eyes performed there as well as Justice, Hanson (!), Morrissey, George Clinton, Violent Femmes, and D.L. Hughley. -
Review from Michael C.
Warren, MI
5/17/2008
I saw Reel Big Fish here. I was pleasantly surprised (with the venue... RBF was exactly as expected.)
I went off on a rant about the Fillmore recently and how it's going downhill. Everything I loved about the State Theater circa 1997 is in the ROMT, but stuck there and definitely NOT going downhill.
And I'm not quite sure if it's the architecture or the layout or what that reminds me of the old State Theater. Sure, it has the same sort of feel to it, what with the beautiful decor. Maybe it's the bands...
I can remember quite a few memorable music events here. That might be it; their booking agent gets a lot of the artists I want to see, just like the old ST.
At any rate, it's a great place to find written on a concert ticket. Look forward to this place; it's great! -
Review from Matthew D.
Detroit, MI
3/15/2009
This venue is probably my favorite in the area (Detroit AND Metro). TRU, anything less than a sold out show here feels less that satisfying... but when you get a full house, there aren't many places better than this joint.
We saw Umphrey's McGee here on March 12th and they didn't disappoint, and neither did the ROMT. Great acoustics, a great environment for dancing and shaking your booty and a great bar and walkway set up that is easy to move from the crowd to the bar / bathroom and back. But there's no specific spot where you have to dance or you can't dance.... it's pretty well suited that if you're in the mood to jam, go ahead, and if you want to bob your head and stand flat footed, that's cool too.
Being a bit of an old timer (read: I can't dance) I choose to fall into the head nodding category, so we usually try to get there in a timely fashion to park on the second or third level right in front of the rail, where there's an oh-so-convenient ledge for our beers, and enjoy the show.
Another great spot is to get into the balcony and grab a seat (only ones in the house for a concert) and chill... good acoustics up there too.
It's a great spot for bands that are big enough to pack 2,000 people or so, but still want an intimate venue.
Ben Harper here was the best show I've ever seen in my life... 2,500 people with their hands in the air singing "I believe in a better way."
*Whew* It was awesome. -
Review from Kelly D.
Grand Rapids, MI
4/28/2010
This is a beautiful old theater, the sound was amazing. A lovely place to see a show.
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Review from juston m.
7/22/2010
i must seem like a fan of all venues around detroit.
i haven't given any of them less than 4 stars.
the royal oak music theater holds a happy place because of the odd assortment of entertainment housed behind its doors. ranging from comedy to concerts, the place seems to book the oddities the other venues don't.
i really enjoy shows here for two reasons above all else. first, you can pre-party at gusoline alley for less than half the price of cocktails inside and also wait for the line outside to die down. second, it never seems too full inside. even during rilo kiley i had no problems seeing the performers or getting my drink on.
the building inside is as beautiful as the filmore and the staff are extremely nice.
love justonListed in: live musack
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Review from Stacie F.
Clawson, MI
11/1/2010
This venue is so underrated and underutilized. It's the perfect size (big enough but not so much that you can still find your friends), it has character, the bar staff is good, the bathrooms are clean and it's great just walking down the street to get there compared to other venues where you have to pay $20 for parking a mile away. I wish they'd turn this place into a regular night club.
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Review from Lynn H.
Traverse City, MI
6/12/2011
Saw The Decemberists here and it was wonderful! It was a sold out show but it didn't feel crowded at all.
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Review from Peggah G.
7/13/2009
Their ticket prices are way too high. It's a nice venue, and I enjoyed the free shows that others have put on there, but paying for a show there seems like a robbery. The tickets are nice, and area is nice, but the fillmore now has free apples. Those are delicious.
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Review from Katia M.
3/21/2007
A great concert venue. I saw Great Big Sea here a few years ago with two other Celtic rock bands, and it still ranks as one of the most fun concerts that I went to ... and the venue definitely helped. It's intimate, you can see the stage from everywhere and get up close and personal with the band. Very cool place to see a show.
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Review from Dave Y.
6/7/2009
this is a nice and big venue and they seem to get pretty good bands going thru them. too bad you can still smoke inside these places in michigan, 'cuz the smoke is disgusting. overall a pretty good place
