Even if you can’t hold a tune, there’s something about karaoke that feels incredibly cathartic and totally universal.
Almost anyone can have a great time belting out “I Want It That Way” or “No Scrubs” at the top of their lungs, right? Or, at the least, watching other people go for it.
So, the next time you need a good laugh or want to embrace your inner diva with a microphone, try one of these top 10 spots in NYC. From places with private rooms so you only have to sing in front of your friends, to open karaoke bars if you’re feeling extra confident, you’re bound to let go of daily stresses and have an incredible time.
1. Space, Koreatown
Koreatown is known for its amazing karaoke bars, but Space Karaoke may have the rest of them beat. This venue offers 10 private rooms, the “karaoke industry’s latest and best equipment,” a full-service bar with specialty cocktails, and they even have a food menu with tasty gourmet bites. They’re also open past 4am, so you can head there to end your night out with a bang.
Where: 34 W 32nd St Fl 11
Hours: Sunday-Thursday from 6pm-4am; Friday-Saturday from 4pm-5am
Cost: $30/hour on weekdays, $40/hour on weekends for up to four guests. After 4 people add $5 per person per hour.
2. Gagopa, Koreatown
Gagopa is also in Koreatown, and is actually BYOB so it could be a great choice if you’re on a budget. It offer overs 20,000 English songs and 10,000 Spanish songs, which you can actually pre-search on their website to make sure they have the hit you want to sing. You can also use it on your phone while you’re there, so friends won’t have to be fighting over the songbook.
Where: 28 West 32nd St., 3rd Floor
Hours: Monday-Thursday 6:30pm – 4am, Friday-Saturday 6pm – 4am, Sunday 7pm – 4pm
Cost: $36 per hour + tax (1-4 People), $9 per person per hour + tax (more than 5 people)
3. Karaoke Boho Orchard St., Lower East Side
Karaoke Boho has a few locations, but we like their LES spot for its wide array of room sizes and large bar at the entrance (they also have karaoke songs playing on the TV out there if you’re waiting for a room). They have over 100,000 songs that you can search on their website as well. They also have great happy hour food and drink deals Monday-Wednesday from 1-10pm and Thursday-Sunday 1-9pm.
Where: 152 Orchard St.
Hours: Monday-Sunday 1pm – 4am
Cost: $9/Person/Hour plus tax, 3 person minimum
4. Sid’s Gold Request Room, NoMad
If you want a classier, more elevated take on karaoke, Sid’s is the spot for you. They regularly have LIVE piano karaoke with different players from around the city. It definitely has more of a retro vibe, so you can pretend you’re in a glamorous old movie as you croon alongside the piano.
Where: 165 W 26th St.
Hours: 5pm-12am but closed on Sundays, Piano Karaoke is most weeknights starting at 9pm, see online here for more details.
Cost: Purchase of food and/or drink.
5. Sing Sing Ave A, East Village
Classic karaoke spot Sing Sing has two locations in the East Village, and both offer bar-singing OR private rooms. The Ave A location offers 14 private rooms, but unless you’re planning a party in advance, you’re better off joining the bar crowd. They offer a late happy hour until 9pm for a bit of liquid courage with all beer, wine and well drinks for $4.
Where: 81 Avenue A
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 6pm-4am, Thursday-Sunday 4pm-4am
Cost: $2 per song at bar with one Drink Minimum; $9/hour person for a room
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6. Baby Grand Lafayette St., Soho
Ok, now we’re moving into the fully public displays of song. Baby Grand is a sweet little karaoke bar in between Soho and Little Italy that has the friendly feel of a private room, even though it is a bar. Come early with a big crew to take over the room, or meet some new friends to sing a tune with. They also have a location in Greenpoint, Brooklyn now.
Where: 161 Lafayette (at Grand St.)
Hours: Varies, see website.
Cost: $2 per song, drinks vary
7. Lips, Midtown East
Every Tuesday NYC’s most iconic drag queen show palace, Lips, holds a dinner, show and drag queen karaoke special. For only $23 you get VIP preferred seating and a three course prix fixe menu. The extravagant stage show starring Blacqueline O’Nasty and the Ladies of Lips will entertain you while you eat, and afterwards you’ll get a chance to jump up on stage and sing yourself to win cash prizes and possibly headline a show!
Where: 227 E 56th St.
Hours: 7:30pm on Tuesdays
Cost: $23. Grab your tickets here!
8. Karaoke Shout, Astoria
If you’re in an outer borough like Queens and don’t want to trek into Manhattan, Astoria has its own karaoke bar with Karaoke Shout on Steinway St. They only take room reservations for eight people or more, but you can chance it with a walk-in OR pay $1-2 for a song request at the bar. They also have pitchers and fish bowl drinks for easy sharing with a group.
Where: 32-46 Steinway St, Astoria
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 5pm-2am, Thursday 5pm-4am, Friday-Sunday 1pm-4am
Cost: $5/hour per person before 8pm, $9/hour per person after 8pm
9. Up Stairs, Lowest East Side
For more of a chill, dive-bar feel, try Up Stairs on the Lowest East Side. It’s a bit of a hole in the wall, and is called “Up Stairs” for a reason. You have to head up a staircase to make it to the bar (if you’re searching for directions on Google maps, don’t forget to put the space in between “up” and “stairs”). Great drink specials and small bites make this the perfect after-work hangout.
Where: 59 Canal St.
Hours: 6pm-3am Sunday-Thursday, 7pm-4am Fridays and Saturdays
Cost: $1/song
10. Sall Restaurant, Hell’s Kitchen
Sall Restaurant is typically a restaurant and hookah lounge, but on Wednesdays they host a killer karaoke deal with all-you-can-eat fries, wings and Budweiser for an hour and half. Enjoy wing flavors like Hennessy Honey, Spicy Rum, Garlic Parmesan, Buffalo and BBQ before you belt out your favorite tunes.
Where: 818 10th Ave.
Hours: Wednesdays, 6pm-12am
Cost: $39.99. Get the special deal here!
featured image source: Instagram / @karaokeboho_orchard