Things to Do in Royal Oak

The sudden clatter of a billiards break. The quick shuffling of cards. A pinball machine's clanging bells. All can be heard at The Velvet Rail, where everything from regulation-size felt-topped tables to foosball and air hockey keep patrons of all ages entertained. As a digital jukebox pumps out tunes, snacks such as hot dogs, nachos, and hummus fuel games of snooker or pool, and free WiFi allows players to post online personal ads for "eight ball seeks corner pocket."

A gunman steps onto the shooting range, steadies her aim, and unloads until her chamber is empty. As the smoke clears, she triumphantly smiles not at the holes in a paper bull's eye, but at the bowling pins flattened across the floor. It's Monday night, which means the crew at Firearm Exchange has packed away its targets and is instead setting up bowling pins for shooters to aim at.

When it's not giving retired bowling pins a second occupation, the Firearm Exchange's eight-lane, 25-yard shooting range refines the aim of all levels of marksmen through a Mancom electronically controlled target system. As shooters fire at static or complex target maneuvers, a climate-controlled range quickly extracts gun smoke through an HEPA air-filtration system. At the end of the range, rounds absorb into wet-trap system, which can handle pistol, shotgun, and rifle fire. For those who bring their own firearms, a cleaning room contains maintenance supplies so shooters can clear their pieces of gunpowder residue and bullets that fell asleep.

Beyond maintaining the range, Firearm Exchange's team hosts classes taught by instructors claiming NRA certifications, covering topics ranging from basic firearms operation to hunting safety. Arms experts also man a 1500-square-foot showroom, loaded with inventory including guns, ammunition, and accessories.