Commune Lounge

This is probably one of my favorite places in Royal Oak. It's an actual dance club and it's usually a good atmosphere. The drinks are reasonably priced and pretty strong. The bartenders are pretty attentive for the most part. Also, there is quite a bit of security, which is helpful in keeping the peace. I have never been there when there were any problems.Only issues are the line is always really long even when it is not full downstairs. I've waited in line for up to 30 minutes when it wasn't very full and waited less time when it was. That was partially due to the security overdoing their job. Also, being that it is in a basement, it can get pretty humid but that is to be expected when in a basement full of people.Other than that, I always enjoy myself here.

Okay maybe I'm just getting old lol. It was super packed... like to capacity or over with some that may have been over served. Lots of pushing by very rude drunk people trying to get to the bar to the bathroom or back to their friends.

Disclaimer: I do not typically go to bars/clubs that feature dancing and loud music.That said, I had a pretty decent time with friends last weekend. I bought drinks for my friends -- 6 drinks in total -- and spent less than $40 including 20% tip. Pretty impressive.Not the fastest service, but they were a bit swamped when we were there. Not exactly the place for me, but I'd go back if my friends made me.

This is place is like night and day depending on whether it's packed like a sardine can or elegant in it's sparsity of patrons. I was here on a Friday night from midnight to 2AM and it was so packed shoulder to shoulder, there was the classic line to get into the sticky, wet bathroom, and drunks were pushing through crowds and bumping into each other to get through. The crowd is cool - typical Royal Oak good looking folks - but it was so packed that it was hard to notice that it's normally a nice place.I went here for a private event on a Wednesday evening from 7pm and I could actually notice the Gothic elegant decor and chandeliers, the intimate booths and lounge areas, the TVs placed just the right places, and of course the inviting bar. All in all, I feel that this place is a more clubby and loud chaotic place in the nightlife hours on Friday and Saturday, and in the normal evening and after work hours it may be a little more tame, clean, and swanky experience. If you are undecided as to which flavor you'd like better - maybe go for an in-betweener time segment such as Thursday 10pm-midnight - that way you can have a middle point and see whether you like it busier or more sparse!

On the 8th day god said "Let there be a shitty bar, the shittiest you've ever been in. It will be located in the basement of Bastone. I shall pack it 40:1 frat boys to women. They will come from far and wide to drink beer made of piss, listen to awful music, and drink in the dark. It shall be named, 'The Commune.'"Seriously worst bar ever from top to bottom. Full of hair gel and too much cologne. I thought upon entering, "Hey this is not my scene but I'll have a drink or two and run up the stairs. What could possibly go wrong?" Well let me say I have NEVER left a drink behind having not finished it. Even if I wasn't a big fan. Until now. I ordered a Blonde. Holy crap it tasted like urine and wet dog. I took 3 drinks and walked out. I hope this place is smitten once god realizes what he has done.

We never would have known this place was here if it hadn't been for the awesome Yelp Elite event in December!After a disastrous dinner at Katana, my husband and I were looking for a nice place to relax with a few drinks. Most of the usual suspects in town looked pretty crowded (it was about 8:30pm on a Friday), so we thought Commune was worth another try. It was actually pretty empty, mainly used by people waiting for a table at Bastone, so we were able to snag one of the cool mini-booths against the wall and hung out until it suddenly became super crowded right after 10pm.The atmosphere here is very cool: lots of concrete, open ductwork, and some heavy wooden furniture, softened by a plethora of vintage mirrors and chandeliers. The overall effect might be slightly pretentious if the service weren't so gratious and friendly. We LOVE the little mini booth/nook situation against the wall at the bottom of the stairs, it's the perfect place for people-watching and a little canoodling!Sadly, we didn't realize the absinthe would be so much fun so we just ordered up microbrew after microbrew. They were pretty delicious too! And STRONG. Holy cow. As I mentioned, it does get crazy crowded a little later in the evening, so if you're wanting to see and be seen this would be a good place for that. We found it was also a really nice place to drink and talk and unwind a little earlier in the evening. I guess we'll have to go back and try out the absinthe next time!

Why do people do this? Why do people stand in line to enter a dark, sticky, disgusting space to pay too much for watered-down well beverages? Why do people flock to spaces to dance clumsily with strangers? Why are the bartenders curt and the bathrooms disgusting? WHY CAN'T I MOVE MY FEET without getting stuck to the floor?Ugh. If this is the "best" lounge in Royal Oak, why do people even bother?

I've been here many times and have always had a decent time. The best times are when someone reserves one of the back rooms. I don't think it costs anything and is really nice when you have a big group and don't like standing around. You have your own private tables and a TV.There is usually a pretty solid DJ there, always keeps the energy up.I will say that whatever light house beer I got last night was awful. I've had a lot of different beers in my day and feel like I'm pretty seasoned on the topic, but this draft was just terrible. I tried moving onto bottled beer but they were just warm. Nothing worse than paying $5 for a warm beer. With long lines waiting at the bar I would recommend double fisting your favorite mixed drink. Long bar lines, yet another reason to enjoy the private room, your own waitress.

We had reservations here for my dear friends b-day and I was impressed - we had our own server all night and she was great. Plus, great beer selection (had brews from Bastone) and no cover.This place is definitely a R.O. bar, complete with toolish guys and trendy girls rockin' bump-its. I left reeking of smoke and a major headache (they were playing BAD '90's house remixes). If I was still 21 though, I would have loved this place.Very cool decor, very vampire lair. I could've channeled Edward Cullen if I really tried, I'm sure of it.

My experience here is a bit different. I've only been here for group events which starts at 6pm. It's usually not open till 9pm.They're usually open most nights for any group activity you'd want to plan. They don't charge any money to hold an event there.They have a pretty good menu for groups as well. I recommend the pizza if you're hosting a group event.The place is HUGE though. It might seem empty if you only have 20-30 people there. Larger group events are encouraged here.Anywho, the bathrooms are nice and the floors aren't sticky so I give it a thumbs up.I dock it a star for not carrying any other beer other than their own brand.