The 9 Best Karaoke Events And Bars In Chicago
By Staff in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 29, 2014 8:15PM
The great thing about Karaoke is it combines a few of our favorite things, like music, open mics and (optionally) alcohol. The more alcohol you drink, the lesser your inhibitions and suddenly you find yourself in the basement of an American Legion Hall drunkenly trying to sing like Mr. Ronnie James Dio or watching as a gaggle of girls crowd the mic to sing "Pour Some Sugar On Me." (But only the chorus.)
Following are nine karaoke bars and events we feel are worth doing. Print this out and start working through it.
Our own tankboy shows his karaoke chops. Photo credit: Caroline Clough
Alice’s Lounge
Alice’s Lounge is where good intentions go to do and great singers go to fly. With so many karaoke nights popping up all over the city it’s not always easy to differentiate between all the different ones, but luckily for Alice’s they have the best host in the city with Fred Wood. If the singer is bombing he’s there to prop them up with an insane variety of props and routines, and in a bar that serves it’s last drinks until 4 a.m. he handles even the rowdiest crowds with dry aplomb. Four nights a week Alice’s Lounge is the locus on karaoke nirvana, no matter what level of talent is on display. So despite the drunks falling all over the floor this is the place where true karaoke talents comes to shine. — Jim Kopeny / Tankboy
Alice’s Lounge is located at 3556 W. Belmont Ave.
The Corner
Karaoke is a relatively recent addition to the Corner, but every Thursday night Nate Perry-Oke or one of his compatriots fires up their trusty, tiny karaoke machine and serves up a wide array of material; for late night singers to channel. Metal, pop, hip-hop, classic be-bop-a-lulu; it’s all here. The ragtag nature of the night attracts a wide variety of local talent so you’ll see Bucktown yuppies and Logan Square hipsters locked arm in arm and swaying to the hits. It’s not the flashiest karaoke night in town but it is one of the most fun.— Jim Kopeny / Tankboy
The Corner is located at 2224 N. Leavitt Ave.
Bialystok
This longstanding Polish joint is off the beaten path, but it gets jumping Saturdays for Karaoke. But rarely does it get crazy jumping, so most likely you won't have to wait too long to grab the mic. The song selection is good and the host is unobtrusive so singers won't get distracted - by him anyway. Saturday is a rare day when Bialystok doesn't have drink specials, but the prices are still reasonable. - Casey Moffitt
Bialystok is located at 3653 W. Diversey Ave.
Chicago's Original Rap Karaoke
If you have flow and a fondness for some old school rap and hip hop (I can recite Ice Cube's "It Was a Good Day" off the top of my head) maybe your should put those skillls to work every third Saturday of the month at Jerry's Wicker Park, where Psalm One and Fluff Nasty host Chicago's Original Rap Karaoke (CORK). Whether you're trying your hand at the mic or grooving to the beats, you're guaranteed to have a good time. —Chuck Sudo
Chicago's Original Rap Karaoke takes place the third Saturday of every month at Jerry's Sandwiches Wicker Park. (1938 W. Division St.)
Lincoln Karaoke
Prepare to enter an alternate reality at Lincoln Karaoke. The Lincoln Square spot houses a labyrinth of private rooms for rent by the hour to enact your power pop fantasies. Depending on the mood of the occasion, set the TVs to display sweeping nature scenes or early 90's Korean soft core porn. Each suite is equipped with couches, mics, a rotating light show, a massive remote, and illuminated tambourines. Head to the bar where ordering two domestic pitchers will earn you a free side of bacon! When your friend requests a round of vodka redbulls, don't be alarmed by receiving a platter of Korean energy drinks in glass pharmaceutical bottles.It's just what you'll need to pay proper tribute to Katy Perry. Back in your room, the empties are magically swept away into a five gallon bucket to keep tidy without interrupting your belting session. Show up with a large group, and Lincoln Karaoke will throw in a bottle of champagne. Not into your friends' vocal stylings? There are many identical doors to bust in on, so make like ABBA and take a chance. - Jessica Mlinaric
Lincoln Karaoke is located at 5526 N Lincoln Ave.
Spyner’s Pub
If you’re trying to tell friends directions to meet you here, don’t even bother with the name. Instead, tell them, “Look for the Michelob Light sign just south of the Western Brown Line.” This Lincoln Square hideaway is a perfectly divey bar most nights, but it turns into a karaoke bar on Friday and Saturday nights. The song book is relatively up-to-date, there’s no politicking with tips for a better position in line, and if you freeze on stage (which is just a space cleared out at the front of the bar), chances are good that someone will grab a mike and join you. The drinks are strong, the people are friendly, and everyone is super excited to cheer along to karaoke. And if you’re a lady who likes ladies, this is the karaoke bar for you. — Jennifer A. Freeman
Spyner’s Pub is located at 4623 N Western Ave.
Hidden Cove
Every time I’ve been to this north Lincoln Ave. karaoke bar there’s a bachelorette party from the suburbs. However, don’t let the almost-in-Skokie location scare you off. It’s a pretty standard karaoke bar in the sense that you’ll almost certainly hear “I’ve Got Friends In Low Places” and “Sweet Caroline...Ba-dum-dum” while you’re there, but some sneakily amazing karaoke singers show up to this joint. Tons of cabs drive by this spot late at night since it’s a 4 a.m. bar, so make the trip up north, look for the palm tree sign, and make your new best friends whom you’ll never see again. — Jennifer A. Freeman
Hidden Cove is located at 5338 N. Lincoln Ave.
Zero Degrees Karaoke
Several Chinatown restaurants and clubs carry karaoke machines but this one draws crowds with a combination of cheesy Asian pop, solid bar bites and fruity cocktails and a private lounge in case you don’t want to wait in line to sing with a combination of hipsters, scenesters and Chinatown residents. A word of warning: you may want to skip the private lounge and spend that money across the bar bites and liquor. —Chuck Sudo
Zero Degrees Karaoke is located at 453 W. 24th place.
Live Band Karaoke
In full disclosure I should let you know that I had a part in Live Band Karaoke’s genesis in Chicago years and years ago but haven’t had any connection to them since their days playing The Pontiac. So it warms my heart to still see the band is going stong at various venues all over Chicago including Roscoe’s, Stanley’s Kitchen, Clarke’s Bar and Piece. I still maintain that getting up in front people with that collection of musicians behind you is the closest you can get to being in a band without actually being in one. It’s just so much fun to get up in front of a crowd and belt out your favorite tunes with the actual rush of drums and amplifiers thrumming behind you. You can’t beat it. — Jim Kopeny / Tankboy