Sydney's 10 best Karaoke bars
Karaoke is the best fun you can have standing up and this town boasts a plethora of places to do it. But what's Sydney's best karaoke bar? Time Out rates the top ten.
JUMP TO - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1
Best for... Getting a booking when everywhere else is full
Where? 210 Clarence St, Sydney 2000. (02 9283 7733). Mon-Sat 3pm-2am; Sun 2-8pm.
Song selection (8/25)
Mainly Asian songs with a limited English selection - although quite up to date.
The karaoke system (10/25)
A good combination of paper song directories for browsing and a simple-to-use remote. However, the songs kept stalling. When we asked why, they said it always happens when they upload new songs onto the master system. Epic... fail.
The rooms (3/10)
Clean but neutral and dull - no character or atmosphere. If you are especially taken with the rooms, you can buy their contents. The LCD TV is yours for $1,000.
Booze (2/5)
Average - Asian focused. Beer $7; Spirits $7; Bottle of spirits $65.
Food (1/5)
Crisps, instant noodles and a few dumplings for the brave/starving ($5-$6).
Musical instruments (0/5)
None.
Staff (1/5)
Not the friendliest on our visit.
Price and value (7/20)
Price is average but they wouldn't let us book for one hour - had to be a two-hour minimum. $12pp for 2 hours or $15pp for 3 hours (includes 1 soft drink). Fri & Sat 8pm-2am: $48-$128 an hour per room.
The K-factor (0/10)
Nothing special.
Final Score (32)
JUMP TO - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1
Best for... Comparatively cheap booze
Where? 104 Bathurst St, Sydney 2000. (02 9283 2666). Mon-Sun 1pm-2am.
Song selection (13/25)
A sadly modest selection in English.
The karaoke system (17/25)
It's the same system you find in Mizuya and K-Square (no paper song selection). Once you have learned the rudiments, the knowledge is transferable.
The rooms (6/10)
Clean and comfortable with cool lights, but the rooms absolutley stink of air 'freshener'.
Booze (3/5)
Waiter service only - and it's quite s-l-o-w. There are plenty of Asian soft drinks and cheap beers. It's also decent value if you buy bottles of spirits ($60-$100).
Food (1/5)
Crisps and basics.
Musical instruments (0/5)
None.
Staff (1/5)
They were not very helpful or interested on our visit. It took a while to be served.
Price and value (10/20)
OK, but again a minimum booking of two hours. And no cards - cash only - which is annoying. Happy hour: $12 pp for 2 hours with 1 extra hour free and 1 free soft drink. Peak (Fri & Sat from 9pm): $35 (2 person room); $95 (20 person room).
The K-factor (0/10)
Nothing that really stands out.
Final Score (51)
JUMP TO - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1
Best for... Feeling like a genuine rock star
Where? 1 Dixon St, Sydney 2000. (02 9283 7883). Sun-Wed 1pm -12 midnight; Thu-Sat 1pm-4am.
Song selection (10/25)
Poor English selection - much better Asian selections.
The karaoke system (5/25)
Eh? Nnng! The most confusing and frustrating system we encountered.
The rooms (10/10)
A pimped-out karaoke palace, with 22 rooms of all sizes and designs. Some VIP rooms have smoke machines, lasers, massive flatscreens, stadium-like sound system and, er, their own toilets.
Booze (3/5)
Wide selection of spirits ($22 per jug with mixer), seven local and international beers and some overpriced wine.
Food (2/5)
Some, but not especially appetising: pizzas ($16); dim sum ($6-$8); fruit platters ($8-$32).
Musical instruments (0/5)
None.
Staff (3/5)
Very attentive and welcoming, but struggled to explain how to use the system effectively.
Price and value (15/20)
Fair. $15pp for 2 hours anytime except Fri & Sat 8pm-4am; Fri & Sat peak time from $60ph (6 person room) to $188ph (VIP 50 person room).
The K-factor (10/10)
Push the boat out and hire the CEO room. The smoke machines and lasers make you feel like you're performing on stage.
Final Score (58)
JUMP TO - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1
Best for... An office night out of bowling and howling
Where? 22 The Promenade, King St Wharf, Sydney 2000. (1300 787 453). Mon-Fri 11am-late; Sat-Sun 10am-late.
Song selection (8/25)
Disappointing range. Missing a few new artists. No Lady Gaga!
The karaoke system (8/25)
Equipment was all modern and quite flashy - but touch screen system is very difficult to use and hard to browse. No remote, which was also a bit of a pain. Songbook doesn't list all the songs. Staff had to return several times to help us. Also no video clips, which is a shame.
The rooms (8/10)
Amazing: one Victorian boudoir (15 people), 1 polkadot room (15 people), 1 executive style party room (40 people). Very comfortable and atmospheric. Clean and spacious.
Booze (4/5)
Basically all the selection of a bar. $5.50 for a schooner. $15 for cocktails.
Food (4/5)
Hot snacks available and a proper menu serving pizzas (around $15).
Free popcorn on Tuesdays.
Musical instruments (3/5)
Yes! Tambourine and maracas.
Staff (5/5)
Friendly. They serve drinks in the room and you can book online.
Price and value (15/20)
They charge per room so it works out as excellent value for office parties and birthdays if you have enough people. 15 person room: $80 per hour; 40 person room: $110 per hour; no happy hours/promotions.
The K-factor (10/10)
Extra points for the prop box! Wigs, hats, masks, giant bow ties, glasses and headdresses - definitely added to the hilarity. Also, ten pin bowling (with instant pictures) is a lot of fun beforehand if you want to make a night of it.
Final Score (65)
JUMP TO - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1
Best for... Competitive karaoke
Where? 116/120 Liverpool St, Sydney 2000. (02 9264 8099). Mon-Sun 1pm-2am.
Song selection (15/25)
All the classics are there but needs updating with the latest songs.
The karaoke system (18/25)
Straight-forward system to use: very basic English remote, paper song directories. Hilarious accompanying video clips.
The rooms (5/10)
Comfortable. Massive screen on the wall. No wireless microphones, however.
Booze (2/5)
Tinnies of Korean beer and Asian soft drinks.
Food (3/5)
Basic free snacks (crisps, nuts) with beer before 11.
Musical instruments (3/5)
Yes - tambourine.
Staff (3/5)
Quite friendly and helpful.
Price and value (12/20)
Good value if you're in a group. 1-6pm: $15 per hour; 6pm-2am: $30-$40 per hour.
The K-factor (6/10)
Extra points for the prop box! Wigs, hats, masks, giant bow ties, glasses and headdresses - definitely added to the hilarity. Also, ten pin bowling (with instant pictures) is a lot of fun beforehand if you want to make a night of it.
Final Score (66)
JUMP TO - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1
Best for... Old school, authentic karaoke in the CBD
Where? 185 Elizabeth St, Sydney 2000. (02 9267 5011) Mon-Sun 1pm-late.
Song selection (18/25)
Large song selection and impressively up-to-date (eg Florence and the Machine, Temper Trap). You can request songs for them to download.
The karaoke system (19/25)
Extremely easy to use (crucial when drunk). Great to have paper song directories for browsing - we wish all venues had this.
The rooms (3/10)
Eighteen different-sized rooms from 2 to 35 people. Quite run-down, no sound-proofing. One of our microphones smelled of vomit. Bleurgh.
Booze (2/5)
Good selection of beer, wine and spirits, including sake and cocktails.
Food (2/5)
Crisps, spring rolls, dim sum, nachos - none of which looked very appealing.
Musical instruments (0/5)
Not anymore: apparently "customers took them all".
Staff (3/5)
Friendly.
Price and value (15/20)
Very cheap off-peak. Mon-Thu and Fri & Sat before 8pm: $5pp per hour. Party rooms off-peak: $68/h (20 person room); $95/h (35 person room). Fri & Sat 8pm-late: $24/h (2 person room); $68/h (12 person room); party rooms $78/h (20 person room); $105/h (35 person room).
The K-factor (5/10)
An easy venue for inexperienced and/or drunk karaoke singers.
Final Score (68)
JUMP TO - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1
Best for... A post-bar alternative to clubbing
Where? 7 Randle St, Surry Hills 2010. (02 9281 9000). Mon-Sun 5pm-3am.
Song selection (19/25)
All the classics and easy-to-browse song directories. Within minutes you will have an hour's worth of songs backed up.
The karaoke system (20/25)
Not exactly state of the art but it's simple to use and program - even when blind drunk. The K-pop video clips and typos in the lyrics merely add to the hilarity.
The rooms (6/10)
They have themed rooms with interesting décor: eg an underwater fantasy, space odyssey. The have mirror balls and couches that you can jump on but don't be tempted to dance on the tables - they're not as sturdy as they look.
Booze (2/5)
They have an average bar of beer and wine and they have got wise to people doing the unofficial BYO these days.
Food (1/5)
Packet snacks ($2-$6).
Musical instruments (2/5)
Tambourine.
Staff (2/5)
Interesting. The bouncer at the door is always pretty heavy-handed and we think that is a metal detector on entry. (They've had trouble in the past.) Plus the woman that owns the place is a blunt but colourful character, in the way that someone who deals with hordes of excitable drunk revellers at 4am has to be.
Price and value (12/20)
More expensive than we remember it being, actually (but then we're always too drunk to remember the 'Dang): from $30 per hour (2 person room) to $150 (20 person room).
The K-factor (5/10)
The Hills are alive, but the sound isn't necessarily musical. The 'Dang or 3D is an institution in Sydney and a must-try for all true karaoke fans. It's a sing-off between them and Echo Point for old-school cool.
Final Score (69)
JUMP TO - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1
Best for... Up-to-date song selection
Where? ShpG4, 730-742 George St, Haymarket 2000. (02 9281 8833) Mon-Sun 12pm-4am.
Song selection (17/25)
An excellent selection of songs with over 80,000 in the system to choose from.
The karaoke system (19/25)
Uses the same technology and functionality as other more modern karaoke dens in Sydney. Easy to use once you get used to it. Many of the songs are accompanied by the real video clips (though we're not sure that is a good thing).
The rooms (7/10)
Eighteen rooms of all shapes and sizes. Comfortable but lived in - so you can jump around. Quite atmospheric - dark with cool lights and lasers. A lot of fun.
Booze (2/5)
Quite a small selection of beers, wine and RTDs. The beers arrived in plastic beakers rather than bottles.
Food (2/5)
Basic packet snacks and yum cha.
Musical instruments (0/5)
None.
Staff (5/5)
Really helpful and welcoming - they also sent us an email afterwards to say thanks for coming.
Price and value (14/20)
Comparatively exxy, but worth it. Happy hour: $12pp per hour (+ free soft drink). Peak (Fri & Sat 8pm-2am) from $58/h (6 person room) to $230/h (40 person room).
The K-factor (5/10)
This had the fun factor - easy to use, great song selection, good rooms and nice staff. A great place to go once Mizuya has shut at midnight.
Final Score (71)
JUMP TO - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1
Best for... Rocking out till dawn
Where? 262 Pitt St, Sydney 2000. (02 9283 1618). Mon-Sun 12pm-6am.
Song selection (15/25)
Around 9,000 songs - most of which you can view online so you can pre-select your set list if you're very keen. The 70s, 80s and 90s are covered but they are a little lacking in more up-to-date tracks.
The karaoke system (20/25)
Very old school - some would say dated, but all the more lovable for it. The remote is in Chinese but is very easy to use once you have the hang of the three buttons that matter.
The rooms (5/10)
Some of the most down-at-heel bunkers you are ever likely to find. The paint is peeling, the mirror balls are balding, and the aroma tells of 1,000 smells but they don't seem to mind you jumping all over the knackered couches when you've had several too many. And that's worth a few points in our book.
Booze (3/5)
Limited selection, but fairly cheap: beer $6; wine $15-25 a bottle.
Food (1/5)
Instant noodle bowls and oriental snacks starting at $7 and $3 for soft drinks.
Musical instruments (2/5)
Tambourine.
Staff (4/5)
Extremely helpful and friendly.
Price and value (18/20)
Great value. $5pp per hour. Special offer between 12 noon-6pm: $10pp flat rate for as much karaoke as you like (min 3 people). Peak (Fri & Sat after 8pm): from $24/h (2 person room) to $54/h (10 person room).
The K-factor (5/10)So cheap and fun that the hours fly by.
Final Score (73)
JUMP TO - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1
Best for... A birthday party or a work leaving do
Where? 614 George St, Sydney 2000. (02 9266 0866). Mon-Sun 11.30am-12 midnight.
Song selection (23/25)
They constantly update their system so that it has all the latest songs. They have 100,000 songs to choose from - hence no paper song directory.
The karaoke system (20/25)
They use a pretty standard system so karaoke aficionados will pick it up instantly.
The rooms (8/10)
Great for parties. Very nicely kitted out, state of the art technology and design.
Booze (5/5)
They have a full bar with over 200 drinks on order. Plus they serve Asahi in mini kegs!
Food (5/5)
The have a full Japanese restaurant and you can order any dish from the touch-screen system in the room. It's decent value in a big group with plenty of tasty things on sticks.
Musical instruments (0/5)
None.
Staff (5/5)
Excellent - extremely professional and helpful with attentive waiter service.
Price and value (15/20)
It's a very glamorous and lavishly fitted out karaoke club so it works out more expensive than the basic karaoke dens, but it's worth it. Room hire is from $15pp for 2 hours. Party packages available.
The K-factor (8/10)
Ordering food on touch-screens felt very futuristic. The facilities and catering are first class. It's just a shame it closes so early.
Final Score (89)
Other Karaoke bars and restaurants in Sydney
Cash Box Sydney
In the heart of Chinatown, it maintains a charm of superior dodgyness. It's a chill locale sans the cheesy glitz, and theoretically, it'll only gain attractiveness the more you imbibe. Best of all, if the upstairs neighbours "like" your stuff, they'll drench you in water in thanks. But this is karaoke how it's meant to be: just a slurry singer, a tinny mic, and Blondie.
Greenbox Plus Sydney
A newer venue to belt out the less well-known Chinese tunes. You get points for attempting, so no matter how you sound, you can blame it on the cryptic lyrics and still come out a hero. There's a huge upstairs performance area to take in impressive skyline views too. Though not the cheapest possible option, how can you put a price on that level of stardom?
Grotta Capri Kensington
Harp Irish Pub Tempe
Ju Ju Kings Cross
Kmiz Sydney
The older karaoke kid on the block and a cheap date when the cash is low. The only ‘problem' is that's it's almost a little too clean and hygenic by karaoke's traditionally filthy standards. That said, you can still get down and dirty with some 80s classics here, alright.
Mamba Sydney
The young, energetic crowd needs little prompting to belt the ditties. Feed off the amped up aura, grab a brew, and jive. It prides itself in having a comprehensive list of obscure Asian beats. But if Indonesian, Thai or Putong is more mood killer than motivator, they've got you covered with English. You coward.
Nippon Club Sydney
Penrith Hotel Penrith
The Pickled Possum Neutral Bay
Planet Bollywood Neutral Bay
Tandoori Palace Darlinghurst
Reader's Choice
Readers' top ten songs
We asked you to tell us your favourite karaoke song. Here are the most popular choices...
1. 'I Will Survive' Gloria Gaynor
2. 'I Will Always Love You' Whitney Houston
3. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' Queen
4. 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' Bonnie Tyler
5. 'Livin' on a Prayer' Bon Jovi
6. 'Sweet Child O' Mine' Guns n' Roses
7. 'Wake Me Up Before You Go Go' Wham
8. 'Like a Virgin' Madonna
9. 'Hero' Mariah Carey
10. 'Bad Romance' Lady Gaga
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Readers' top ten venues
We asked you to tell us your favourite karaoke venue in Sydney. Here are the results...
1. Ding Dong Dang
2. Karaoke World
3. CEO
4. Echo Point
5. Big Echo
6. Juju's
7. Mizuya
8. Green Box
9. Strike Bowling Bar
10. Cash Box
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What's kara-OK and what's not OK...
DO drink plenty - you're only going to sound progressively better the more you drink.
DON'T spend too long choosing the first round of songs. Instead, program in a bunch of crowd pleasers that anyone can sing, lest the default songs kick in.
DON'T start fiddling around with the equalisers. You are not a sound technician at a Lady Gaga concert.
DO feel free to skip your own song if it's not going well - but don't play Simon Cowell when someone else has the mic.
DON'T hog the mic. Unless no one else is singing, in which case hog away.
DO choose a few songs you can sing as a group while swinging big Japanese beers
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