The Latest and Greatest Karaoke Bars in Los Angeles

Things to DoLos AngelesBarsNightlifeKaraokeLoungeSinging

Jan 5

As a decades long, LA-based, avid karaoke participant and connoisseur - I have compiled the latest karaoke bars that I recommend for your maximum karaoke enjoyment!

I love-love-love karaoke! The excitement (and anxiety) that courses through your veins when you stand up in front of a room of strangers to sing a mind-bending rendition of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ is total adrenaline. I feel camaraderie, love and fear all at once! The joy of hearing songs that I don’t typically hear on the radio, and seeing the eclectic and diverse group of people cheering each other on. There’s nothing that compares to it!

I love private karaoke rooms too, but I love that extra thrill of performing in front of a larger crowd and not knowing how they will react! I love the immediate feedback (did they like my song choice? did they sing along?) — it’s that moment where you feel truly seen. Unmistakeable!

The only downside to karaoke bars, is the scene is constantly changing! So unless you do your research, call ahead, and confirm - the karaoke night could very well be there today and gone tomorrow. So please use this as a guide to directionally help you find that perfect karaoke bar so you can sing your heart out.

Now that the ground rules are in place - let’s jump into my list recommendations! Read on dear, karaoke lover.

The Irish Times

The Irish Times is the neighborhood bar and pub of your dreams! Intimate with dim lights, wood paneling and red vinyl booths, you immediately feel at home upon walking in. I feel like I can talk to anyone and they would be friend. They offer standard bar food (which is good), and your standard alcohol (beer on tap, liquor and limited wine).

I used to live around the corner and back in the day, it was a real DIVE! Now-and-days, it’s classed itself up so it’s not longer a hole but a cozy, neighborhood joint and I love it! Completely approachable.

Karaoke nights: Wednesdays and Fridays at 9pm

On a crowded, but not packed Friday night around 9:30pm, I was able to sing within 15 minutes of submitting my name in! Might have just been a fluke, but will update this post after I go a few more times.

The Irish Times, 3267 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034 (Palms, near Culver City)

2. Boardwalk 11

Don’t judge me: I love Boardwalk 11 because it’s a few steps away from the aforementioned Irish Times. It conveniently leaves the option of ping-ponging between the two bars, in case one bar doesn’t float your boat.

Boardwalk is like a sleeker, younger cousin. I can imagine they would try to double as a small nightclub if the right crowd and opportunity presented itself! The stage is backlit with neon-esque colors and breeze blocks, and there’s a hipster cartoon mural of people drinking on the wall.

Back in the day, this was definitely a neighborhood bar, that had zero class. Instead, it was known for its loud, boisterous crowds that partied into whee the early morning hours. And today, it still retains a hint of that vibe. I left early so not able to confirm or deny it’s present-day reputation.

Now-and-days, it’s definitely more classy as they ripped out all the dark and grimy bits and replaced it with a more craft beer, brewery vibe which makes it way more welcoming and less seedy (yay!).

Karaoke nights: 7 nights a week starting at 8p

I’d call ahead to confirm the hours. I arrived at 8:20p, put my name in and it took 20-30 minutes to sing. Get your karaoke sign-up slips from the bartender instead of the DJ.

Boardwalk 11, 10433 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA (Palms)

2. Backstage Bar and Grill

Literally next to the Sony Studios lot, in a low ceiling, one-room set-up, its Backstage. When I go, I mainly just remember beer, bar food and a laughingly good time enjoying karaoke. Place is standard, non-descript bar; no complaints here. They feature trivia nights, and short a lot of sports games so it’s basically a sports bar too. The karaoke wait can get pretty long so go early if you hope to sing. Food is available; one of the biggest menus of the karaoke bars, so feel free to enjoy their wide array of bar food like burgers, fries, sandwiches, tots, and wings.

Karaoke nights: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays starting at 8pm

Backstage Bar and Grill, 10400 Culver Blvd Culver City, CA 90232 (Culver City)

4. The Brass Monkey

Behind a nondescript, Koreatown strip mall is The Brass Monkey. It’s like entering a seedy speakeasy if you fast forward to the 21st century, retail space. This bar is one of the best; the vibe is rowdy, loud and open. Go here to drink with strangers, sing loudly off-key and on-key with strangers, and to stay out late.

One caveat, it took a long time for the karaoke DJ to play the song. Maybe it’s because the audience is strictly there to sing, perhaps it was a long line - but show up early if you have your heart on singing. Otherwise, lay back and relax as you enjoy the show and no-frills, night out.

Karaoke nights: Every night! It’s a full on karaoke bar, baby.

The Brass Monkey, 3440 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010 (Koreatown)

5. The Good Nite

Eclectic dive with a lively crowd near Universal Studios; everyone has a good time. Similar to many popular karaoke bars, it can be a long wait to get to your song depending so go early and an off night to sing and enjoy the show. People go for the karaoke and vibes; drinks are as expected. Grab food at the nearby burger stand or other neighborhood joints, no food served at the bar.

Karaoke nights: 7 nights a week, 9pm

The Good Nite, 10721 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601, (East North Hollywood)

6. New Wave Bar

Make the trip to Bellflower for small, 80s karaoke joint with themed dance nights and cover bands. Doubles as a restaurant with standards like burgers, nachos and tacos like the Billy Idol Bacon Burger. The stages are highlighted in glowing black lights, neons lights - all fitting with their 80s theme.

Karaoke nights: Every night, check the schedule for cover costs and themed nights. Popular nights tend to fill up.

New Wave Bar, 17847 Lakewood Blvd. Bellflower, CA 90706 (Bellflower)

In case you’re curious for how these bars made it on the list…read below:

How did I determine which places to include?

Atmosphere and Vibe - Karaoke is a vibe. If you’re going to stand up in front of strangers and sing your little heart out, you want it to be an open and warm environment. The kind where people clap, and whoop supportively!
General Bar-ness - Is it a good bar? Would I want to go back there? How’s the drink list (variety, selection, price)? It’s still a bar, and I want to have a good time in between my karaoke song selects :)
Karaoke DJ - Was the karaoke DJ equitable and fair? Did they needlessly skip you? Were you able to sing your song in a reasonable amount of time? Song selection and general sound/stage set-up is carefully evaluated as well. Since the goal is to sing karaoke, I’ve prioritized the bars where you’re more likely to an opportunity to sing!
This list excludes karaoke lounges (where you rent a private room for karaoke). These are great; however, these results come up first when you google karaoke (they’re easy to locate). Since it’s already handled, it’s excluded here.

If you ended up going, let me know how it went. I’m always on the look out for new and old karaoke joints to sing to my heart’s desire. Say hi: linhdy@outlook.com