The Art of Karaoke

Karaoke is pretty serious business, and I want to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.

Karaoke Bars vs. Private Rooms vs. Neighborhood Bars

The karaoke ecosystem is vast, and it helps to know what kind of vibe you’re looking for.

If all your friends were in show choir, you’ll have a great time taking over a bar where you can sing to the entire room. But if your group leans shy, double-check to make sure there are private rooms so it’s easier to peer-pressure the wallflowers to pick up the mic.

For a more casual vibe, check out your local neighborhood bar. Here are a few spots that have karaoke nights throughout the week:

• W. Hideaway Lounge in Bronzeville (Tuesday)
• City Life Cocktail Lounge in Chatham (Thursday)
• Cove Lounge in Hyde Park (Thursday)
• Nick’s Beer Garden in Wicker Park (Thursday)
• Dino’s in Rogers Park (Friday/Saturday)
• Dante’s Tavern in West Town (Saturday)

Basic Karaoke Etiquette

The best karaoke songs are short and sweet. Everybody knows the lyrics. They’re easy to sing along with. I’m so sorry, no one wants to hear you sing “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” for eight minutes. (Unless you have a private room, in which case, the night is yours!)

Speaking of singing along, 90% of karaoke is about being a good audience member! Bring the energy and get in the mindset to be your friends’ biggest hypeman.

Make preparations ahead of time to prevent stage fright! If you know microphones make you flighty, have a song ready in your back pocket or lock down a duet with your most confident friend.

It’s super easy to get lost in the sauce in a private room. The servers don’t want to awkwardly stand there while you scream-sing Miley Cyrus’ "Wrecking Ball." (No matter what you’re going through.) Consider designating a few friends to manage drink orders and work together to gather empty glasses.