We’ll discover the best of the city and write it all in an email for you. By entering your email address, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and agree to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Here are the nine best bars for karaoke. Loves public caterwauling whether on a crowded dive or on a spacious stage. If you’re ready to sing in your car or shower, or just watch people make fools of themselves, there are karaoke venues abound in Los Angeles, from a completely random 1980s-style pub in Bellflower to lush lounges across Koreatown.
If the urge to cry “Don’t Stop Believin” (or any other song, please please) hits you, here are the best places to boldly jump into a microphone and cheer on strangers who have dared to step on stage. Unlike bars with specific karaoke nights, these venues offer the opportunity to act like a contestant on The Voice several times a week. No audition or rotating chairs required. An email you’ll really love A karaoke lounge for lovers, Karaoke Bleu takes the amateur medium very seriously.
With large tables and great service, it’s a popular spot for groups but not for the faint hearted. The sound system is strong and there are no club-like distractions, just well-made drinks and a free-flowing snack mix. The angular neon sign and the glass block behind the stage create a retro charm that stands in time. For those who used to be discouraged from coming here because Karaoke Bleu allowed smoking indoors, it’s no longer the case.
But they’re probably just waiting for their chance to sing another Frank Sinatra song. Arguably the city’s most notorious karaoke dive, Brass Monkey is located on the ground floor of a nondescript office building in Koreatown. The ski lodge-style room features one of the most comprehensive song books in L, A.. It’s super small, cozy and popular with all types.
Adam Levine was frequently seen here pulling out slow traffic jams). If you want to rock, submit your song selection early in the evening. On weekends, wait times are routinely annoying, but at least you’ll have time to work up some liquid courage before your name is mentioned. About a block away you can hear wannabe pop stars at Gaslite, Santa Monica’s Divey karaoke gem that offers casual libations and an energetic, tranquil atmosphere.
Anything goes at this dimly lit watering hole with a diverse yet welcoming clientele, from aging hipsters to UCLA students. The rough, judgment-free atmosphere is a prime spot for potentially shy singers. This bar itself is open daily from 4pm to 2am, but karaoke doesn’t start until 6pm on Fridays and every other evening at 8:00pm. If you’re not interested in Taylor Swift and Drake infecting your karaoke playlist, head to this 80s-themed bar and restaurant in Bellflower, where the song selection is always geared towards the era of big hair and shoulder pads.
It is the only place in the L, A. area where you can sip a dirty dancing cocktail and eat a pac man burger while waiting to sing Oingo Boingo. Depending on the evening, karaoke usually takes place either on the main stage or, if a band is booked, in the back room. New Wave often hosts special evenings that pay tribute to specific artists such as Duran, Duran and Prince. So if you want to go crazy, check the schedule beforehand.
A karaoke spot in the valley, this tiny bar is totally delicious, but not entirely unwelcome to newcomers.. The dialed in KJs are super friendly and help singers find the perfect song, even if it hasn’t been added to the book yet. If you are coming with a big party, call in advance and reserve the VIP stand as this place can be full on weekends. If you’re looking for vigor, look elsewhere.
Good Nite is all about cheap drinks and non-stop karaoke. May have a (fairly well-founded) reputation of being buttoned up, but there are certain places where everyone can relax. These bars and spots with private crooning rooms offer a change from the usual bar hopping on Friday and Saturday evenings.. As an added bonus, these places are full of beer, cocktails, and food that ranges from sushi to Texas barbecues.
A bowl of Bulgogi before we start the fire starts? Why not? Adam’s Morgan’s muzette is known for its private space karaoke, but many amateur artists probably don’t know that it’s also a Korean restaurant with dishes like Bulgogi and Bibimbap. The place is closed on Mondays, but it opens at 5:00 PM. Have an evening on H Street by starting with sushi at Sticky Rice and then heading to the restaurant’s sister karaoke spot next door. SingSing Karaoke Palace is equipped with two private rooms for groups, and it is also possible to place orders from the full Sticky Rice food and drink menu.
Check your inbox for a welcome email. In Clarendon, Rhodeside Grill can be a good choice for low-key karaoke in the bar’s basement on Thursday evenings. On the first Sunday of the month, people like to pretend they can sing in this Clarendon bar. With 28 beer taps and a constantly changing selection of alcohol, there are plenty of libations to give people the courage to pull it out in the microphone.
There are also plenty of vegan options on a menu full of savory sandwiches. In addition to bowling and foosball, this new three-story Ballston entertainment complex offers karaoke in private spaces. Order green chorizo fries in rooms for groups of two to four or five to ten. This retro gay bar in Crystal City brings glamour and pizzazz to the local karaoke scene.
Donna Summer or Cher (or even Little Shop of Horrors), the diverse audience isn’t shy. And the burger is solid too. This old-school bar in Old Alexandria is all about pool tables and karaoke. Singers jump on stage with a live DJ here every night of the week to keep things moving.
Karaoke (which means empty orchestra in Japanese) has always been a mix of fun and craziness. Here are a few places to check out from fantastic to bizarre. You must experience it for yourself. This Roppongi bar has Tokyo’s most surreal karaoke booths. There are rooms with hot tubs and themed rooms that range from heaven to “A Clockwork Orange”.
Koreatown is known for its fantastic karaoke bars, but space karaoke may have surpassed the rest of them. This venue offers 10 private spaces, the latest and greatest in the “karaoke industry,” a full-service bar with specialty cocktails, and even a menu of delicious gourmet bites.. They’re also open after 4am on Friday and Saturday so you can end your evening with a bang. A long-popular device from the 1990s is Kumyoung, an HDD karaoke player that contains thousands of songs that are popular in business, such as KTV bars and karaoke machine rentals..
Whether you want to sing your heart out or just watch others perform, karaoke at Sandy’s Sports Bar will be an evening to remember.. Located above the busy part of East Broadway, this old-fashioned Chinatown dive and karaoke bar appeals to both Chinatown residents and fashionable visitors who are all there to show off their singing chops. Forming a legal entity, such as an LLC or a company, protects you from being held personally liable if your karaoke bar is sued. This shibuya bar is famous as the site of Bill Murray’s karaoke performance in “Lost in Translation” and has a local crowd of young singers.
From places with private spaces where you just have to sing in front of your friends to opening karaoke bars, when you feel extra safe, you need to let go of everyday stress and have an incredible time. Gagopa is open seven days a week and gets crowded quickly, especially because this karaoke bar features the rare BYOB. This modern karaoke venue has a full bar on site, and drinks are affordable, which adds to its appeal. This Los Angeles’ Koreatown bar offers a huge selection of songs and food, making it the ideal spot for karaoke in LA.
A karaoke bar shop provides a place where individuals can sing their favorite songs in front of a sympathetic audience.. As mentioned, karaoke is free in most karaoke bars, and the company benefits from the alcohol they serve. This nondescript Irish dive with a 100-foot bar on Second Avenue also beats some serious karaoke.
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