Pitch-Perfect Nights: Discover (More) Karaoke Hidden Gems!
You may have already blazed through my original Latest and Greatest Karaoke Bars post, that being said - I have become an ever greater connoisseur of karaoke bars since then! Spending several hours a month dropping in and singing to my heart’s delight with a glass of red wine in my hand!!
Thus, I am creating this new, and revised listed of even more Los Angeles area karaoke bars! This is dropping just in time for the 2023 holidays, so we can sing to the high heavens with joy! These spots are a bit more off the beaten path. Why? Honestly, I hate waiting to sing my chosen song. I love the bar, I love the atmosphere, but if it takes more than 1 hour for me to sing - oh, man, I become disgruntled!
Thus I am unveiling my new list of karaoke bars so we can disperse the traffic, and frequent more off-the-beaten spot dives!
A few callouts:
As always, I recommend calling ahead to confirm that karaoke will indeed be happening on your chosen night, as sometimes, these bars switch their schedule (how dare they!).
This is a list for karaoke bars, not private rooms. For the purposes of this article, a bar is when there is a common area where people drink and sing karaoke. Thus, you are singing to a group of strangers. A karaoke room means you’re renting a private room, and singing with your own friends and guests. I exclude karaoke rooms because these are easier to find, IMHO (the short answer is go to Koreatown!). From my experience, It’s hard to find that common area bar with a karaoke night! So I’m helping y’all out. Read on!
Scarlet Lady Saloon
The bartenders and the bar
Karaoke is about to start at the Scarlet Lady Saloon
This has been my go-to spot for karaoke on Thursday and Friday nights (although the website says it’s available on Wednesday, the last time I went on Thanksgiving Eve, sadly no karaoke — perhaps an off night).
It’s a pretty nice dive bar in that they have two billards tables, a standard bar, high top table and chairs - and a small stage for karaoke and/or bands! It’s located in a non-descript strip mall next to the fluorescently lit 5i Indochine Cuisine, a takeout spot that’s been around for several years and is always open when I pop by!
I like this place because they use a QR code which you scan to search their karaoke library and put your name/song in. Then the monitor flashes the next 4 people in line, so you generally know when you’re coming up! The Karaoke Jockey moves pretty good through the list so we didn’t wait long on a worknight! Lots more transparency and the library and queue-ing technology was the best I’ve see at a karaoke bar! So hats off to them for impressing me that much. I recommend signing up via the QR code, as by the time I put in my slip of paper there were 4 people ahead of me (this is 5 minutes after they started accepting requests). And yes, I get very eager to sing :)
Scarlet Lady Saloon in Culver City
2. Desert 5 Spot
The stage at Desert 5 Spot in Hollywood
Embrace the unexpected at this incredibly trendy venue, a departure from my usual karaoke haunts! Yes, it's bustling with activity, but trust me, it's worth it. I suggest turning it into a memorable girls' night out or a charming date night. Get there early for their Tuesday Line Dancing event! A friendly caller guides you through the steps before each dance, and then you dance together to the rhythm of the music. Picture a rooftop in Hollywood adorned with people in cowboy boots and denim, moving in perfect harmony – if that doesn't sound like more fun than a barrel of monkeys, I don't know what does! (sorry for the extra cheese there, couldn’t help it lol)
The large, expansive rooftop at Desert 5 Spot in Hollywood
The room gets packed, and they do turn people away on busier nights (like Friday). So 100% go early. On our particular night, after the line dancing, karaoke kicks up; if you put your name in right away, you can sing soon to avoid the long wait. You do not need to sing Country music to go for karaoke. That being said, it is a classier karaoke joint than most. It gives of the cool without trying too hard feels with night sky views, great atmosphere. Not a dive, more of a vibe. So even if you don’t sing, you will end up having a flawless night.
Rolling out the monitor for karaoke night
The dance floor between line dancing
Desert 5 Spot in Hollywood at 6516 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
3. The Brass Monkey
This one is an oldie but goodie that had it’s hey day, sometimes fall out of popularity but then always surgest back into my list! It’s behind a shopping center (they have paid parking). The door may be hard to find, just look for something out of the way - as I didn’t find it too difficult the first time. This one is a standard because they have karaoke every night. Yes, you read that right - every night! That being said, call ahead to confirm when karaoke starts -but it is a staple where LA-ites flock to both near and far. Whenever I speak of karaoke, The Brass Monkey was historically the number 1 place that would be recommended.
On weekends and busy nights, the list and wait get long. The crowd is loud, like-able, and outgoing! You can keep to your own crew or interact with others; overall, I love the people and the vibes. It’s a night out for sure when I go, so I often avoid because I feel for a lower key night (am I getting the age?!). If you haven’t been, be sure to go at least once. I’d call it a dive bar too as there's nothing memorable about the interiors other than a grimy carpet, and wooden tables and chairs. When I went on a weekend, they seated us - so not a bar where you just stand around. However, during slower times, they are probably more relaxed!
Always good memories and good times when I have a night at the Brass Monkey. It’s a classic.
The Brass Monkey in Koreatown at 659 S Mariposa Ave Los Angeles, CA 90010
4. The Good Nite
This North Hollywood gem is also a classic! It’s always good to get out of the center of LA to escape (some) of the crowds! This bar is a great atmosphere to go with friends, or alone and the crowds tend to be very support and fun. People compliment the bouncer, bartenders and service for being above and beyond as well! As a bonus, they have karaoke every night, so it will be more chill, likely less crowded than the LA staple The Brass Monkey. It’s worth the drive.
The Good Night in North Hollywood at 10721 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601
At Desert 5 Spot with a wine spritzer
About Linhda
Linhda loves being a tourist in her own city and sharing her 10+ years of Los Angeles knowledge with others!
She is an avid bike-to-work cyclist (aka commuter), and has recently taken up roller skating. If you have any LA questions drop her a line and/or say HELLO! She loves meeting new peeps. Cheers.
