Jayme Barouch

Fashion and music bring Jayme Barouch of West Bloomfield to downtown Royal Oak. He prefers nightspots that are "trendy without trying."

On Thursday evenings, Jayme is a mainstay at the rowdy VIP Party at Black Finn (530 S. Main St., 248-582-9460) from 9 p.m.-11 p.m., where he sips $2 Grey Goose cocktails. They also serve up free appetizers to the crowd. It's cheap, but not frat boy cheap, thank you. "It's like a college bar, but for people who've graduated. It's the best bar that's not a club."

He prizes the cocktails and nice but unpretentious atmosphere at Commune, downstairs from Bastone (419 S. Main, 248-544-6250). "It's classy, but never crowded. Upscale, but not in your face."

On the weekends, Jayme says he'll play pool and listen to bands at 5th Avenue (215 W. 5th Ave, 248-542-9922).

For eats, he heads to Oak City Grille (212 W. 6th St., 248-556-0947). "It's got a cool atmosphere, good food, and decent prices."

For shopping in Royal Oak, he favors the trendy Project 3 (412 S. Washington, 248-543-8078). "The clothing definitely has more of an L.A. style. They have a lot of fashion that's hard to find."

For club gear, he favors Incognito (323 S. Main St., 248-548-2980) and its "totally fun clothing"; and American Apparel (405 S. Washington, 248-547-1904) for the basics.