If you can’t get enough of American Idol and other singing competition shows or find yourself in search of a place to sing besides your shower, get out to bars in the Boston area featuring karaoke. Whether you are looking to plan a private karaoke party in a studio, want to strut your stuff across the stage at a rowdy bar, or are a pro who can get up on stage with a live band and show us what you got, check out these ten places worth checking out:
1. An Tua Nua
835 Beacon St.
617-262-2121
An Tua Nua is an Irish pub located right near Kenmore Square. There are a variety of beers and other drinks available at this college hangout and Fenway area favorite. It is a great bar to unwind especially on Wednesdays at 10:00 pm, for karaoke night with Kev Mack Daddy, amongst other nightly events. They pride themselves on having updated karaoke equipment and over thirty thousand songs, dating back to the 50’s, up to today to choose from.
2. Limelight Stage + Studios
204 Tremont St.
617-423-0785
Grab the gang and head into Limelight for a private karaoke party of your own. You will get a studio where you can choose your lighting and what you want on the big screen, as you and your group sit on comfy couches and chairs around the room. You can make a playlist and pass around the microphone for some karaoke fun. You can also perform songs on the big stage in the front of Limelight if you are looking to really put yourself out there.
3. Fire + Ice
50 Church St.
617-547-9007
Fire + Ice offers you the opportunity to customize your own meal, as you watch it prepared for you on Mongolian grills. But beyond just their tasty and unique dining concept, their Club Room features nightly specials including Karaoke Night on Mondays from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am. Located right in Harvard Square, you can get food fired up your way and cold specialty drinks, as you belt out your favorite songs.
4. Sissy K's
4 Commercial Court
617- 248-6511
Sissy K’s is the kind of place where the dollar beers are flowing and you can step up on their mini stage for karaoke almost every night of the week. Wednesday nights they host a legit karaoke contest where the winner can take home prizes like cash or even vacations. You can enjoy others singing some of your favorite songs, while singing along on the screen, or go up there yourself. It offers a dive bar atmosphere, right near the Financial District and all the excitement of Quincy Market, with dancing upstairs on weekends and occasionally free appetizers after work.
5. Hong Kong
65 Chatham St.
617-227-2226
If chicken on a stick, scorpion bowls, and karaoke are up your alley, Hong Kong is the place to go. There is a dance floor upstairs and a bar downstairs where the karaoke is held every day of the week. Let loose on weeknights with karaoke offered Monday through Wednesday 9:00 pm until close, Thursday and Friday starting at 6:00 pm, and Saturday and Sundays from 5:00 pm on.
6. King’s Bowling Billiards & Lounge
50 Dalton St.
617-266-2695
Located in the Back Bay, King’s is a 24,000-square-foot entertainment facility that offers bowling, billiards, games, big screen TV’s, and plenty of events each night. Wednesdays they host aspiring musicians and performers for open mic night and Thursdays and Saturdays are karaoke nights. You will love their Big Bowls for two, packed with booze and juices, as well as their appetizers perfect to split with your buddies.
7. Courtside Restaurant & Karaoke Club
299 Cambridge St., Cambridge
617-547-4374
Courtside is a dive bar in the East Cambridge area perfect for karaoke, strong drinks, and affordable pub grub. This is the kind of place where you can expect everyone to sing along with you as you sing your favorite tunes. There is nothing fancy about it; it’s just a good solid place to kick back without any worries.
8. Hennessey's
25 Union St.
617-742-2121
For a really rocking good time, head in to Hennessey’s on Wednesdays for karaoke with a live band behind you. Who needs a round of Rock Band in your living room when you can sing along with musician’s right there in the bar. There are also two floors of fun and plenty of drinks and food.
9. Bell In Hand Tavern
45 Union St.
617-227-2098
Bell in Hand is one of the oldest bars in country. There is always something going including live music and karaoke every Tuesday night. There are 5 bars to grab a drink from, TV’s to watch your favorite game, a full menu of bar fare, and two floors to explore.
10. DoReMi Music Studio
442 Cambridge St., Allston
617-783-8900
DoReMi in Allston is similar to Limelight where you have your own room with your friends to jam out in. You each pay an hourly fee and you get to pick all your songs and follow along on the big screen to the lyrics, as strobe lights fill the room. It is not the most modern place you will find but it offers exactly what you would expect including a solid song list and the chance to bond with your friends in the privacy of the room, without singing in front of the whole bar.