LA’s cutthroat karaoke scene has a lot to offer: incredible singers, delusional American Idol wannabes, celebrities and everything in between. In fact, recording artists such as Fred Durst and Jennifer Hudson have been known to drop in on local karaoke spots and sing their own tunes.
Here are some of the best karaoke spots LA has to offer:
Sardo’s Grill and Lounge
This Burbank bar features karaoke almost every night of the week. It has a large food menu to choose from and the food and drinks are moderately priced. Every Tuesday is the famous Porn Star Karaoke night, which features some of the valley’s famous porn stars singing their favorite songs.
Caffe Brass Monkey
Koreatown is the heart and soul of the local karaoke scene—boasting far more karaoke bars per-block than any other neighborhood—and Brass Monkey is by far the best spot to visit. The action starts at 9pm every night and 4pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The vibe is slightly rowdy—people come here to party, not sit back and listen. Make sure and arrive early to sign up.
The Happy Ending Bar
Every Monday night, this Hollywood dive bar features some of the stiffest karaoke competition in town. Singers should not perform here if they aren’t prepared to have you confidence shattered. The regulars never miss a Monday and many of them are professional singers. The atmosphere is still friendly to newcomers. Enormous pitchers of margaritas are the featured drink special, perfect for a little liquid confidence.
The Belmont
This West Hollywood bar has one of the longest running karaoke nights in town every Sunday. It’s a singles scene perfect for making new friends and showing off under the karaoke lights. The vibe is dark and jazzy and there’s a cool patio for those who want a little break from the action.
Dimples
Located in Burbank, Dimple’s features an extremely thorough list of songs and has karaoke every night. This is a spot to check for those looking for a more cheesy and good-natured experience with bins full of props for performers to wear. The crowd is older and touristy, and the owner still emcees almost every night and provides zingers between acts. They also give you a free DVD of your performance, which you can play at home if you ever want to clear out a party.
For more nightlife options, visit the LosAngeles.com Nightlife Directory.
