Picture this. You’re at a bar with some friends when someone comes up with the ingenius idea to hit up a karaoke bar. Now, you’re not opposed to the idea, but you don’t want to end up somewhere that’s going to kill the buzz. No, you want a place that’s going to end the night with a bang. Well, we’ve got you covered.
In our latest nightlife guide, we’re covering the best Chicago karaoke clubs to visit. We’ll cover:
- 15 Chicago karaoke bars that locals love
- General price ranges for karaoke bars
- What people are saying about them
Going out can be tough when you’re on a budget. GiftYa understands that. That’s why they’ve built a massive site that offers virtual gift cards for the most popular venues in Chicago. Within seconds, you can upload a GiftYa card to your debit card. Want to spread the gift of free food and drinks? Text some GiftYa cards to your friends now.
1. Blind Dragon
Belt it out in one of their chic private karaoke rooms
613 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654 | River North | blinddragonchicago.com
The best thing about Blind Dragon is that if you’re on the shier side or you’re worried about having to deal with the negativity of the grouches around you, they actually have private rooms for you to belt out your favorite tunes in.
Their karaoke rooms come in different sizes and you can order different packages with them. Depending on which package you order, your room may come with one or two punch bowls, as well as a food platter.
“Loved the ambiance. We went with a big group for karaoke, and I haven't had that much fun ever at a karaoke place...Definitely would recommend it.” - Yelp Review
2. Brando’s Speakeasy
Finish your night off strong with some karaoke at Brando’s Speakeasy
643 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60604 | The Loop | brandoschicago.com
Brando’s keeps it simple. Karaoke open hours usually begin around 6 pm every night. All you have to do is walk in, add your name or your group’s name to the kiosk near the door, and wait to be called to go up and rock that stage.
Brando’s is also available for private parties, so you could book the whole place out for a wedding reception if you wanted to! If anyone in your group likes karaoke, but only in small doses, they have the Cocktail Lounge separated from the main room where you can go to get away from the noise.
“This place has a great relaxing vibe with a ton of great karaoke and friendly patrons who cheer you on. As a visitor and not a regular, I felt so at home here.” - Yelp Review
3. Shoe’s Pub
Maybe you can spell karaoke without “fun,” but Shoe’s plays by its own rules
3134 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 | Lincoln Park | shoespubchicago.com
If you like regular karaoke that will tell you if it’ll be going on exactly when you get the urge to go out and showcase the strongest vocal cords that Chicago has ever seen, Shoe’s Pub is the place for you.
Shoe’s Pub hosts karaoke on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Grab yourself a brew while you wait for your turn. And if you see Marty walking around with his camera, give him a big old smile to be featured on Shoe’s website.
“My wife and I came to Shoe's on our wedding night for karaoke, brought half the reception with us. Need I say more? Their karaoke is the best.” - Yelp Review
Purchase a GiftYa card for Shoe’s Pub.
4. No. 18 Karaoke
This massive party is just what you need to unwind at the end of a long week
2201 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616 | Chinatown | no18karaoke.com
As a party hotspot in an unexpected place, you will have a blast at Chinatown’s first ever karaoke bar.
If you’re looking for a place to let out all of that pent-up energy from being at work all week, but where you can also just walk next door to grab a bite to eat when your stomach starts eating itself, No. 18 Karaoke is the place. You can book a private room or join the masses for a huge party out in the main hall. They serve some great snacks, as well as some of the most delicious cocktails in Chinatown.
“Love this place!!! Hands down my favorite karaoke place in the city! We get the medium size room (fits 12 people) with the 3 hours package deal. It was so worth it!! There was plenty of drinks to go around.” - Yelp Review
5. Louie’s Pub
This karaoke setup is so good, it will make you feel like a professional
1659 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 6062 | Wicker Park | louiespub.com
If you want to feel like a star, step on into Louie’s Pub for your karaoke pleasure. Louie’s is host to a digital karaoke system that lets you download whatever song you want. You can find classics, like Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” and more obscure music like Catfish and the Bottlemen’s “2all.”
If anyone in your crew is nervous about having to sing in front of everyone all by themself, there’s no need to worry! Louie’s professional jockeys are happy to act as anyone’s backup singers to provide that moral support.
“Best karaoke bar in town! I've sung at every bar in Chicago and finally stumbled upon this gem of a bar 6 years ago. Louie's pub changed my life and has brought me so much fun and joy.” - Yelp Review
6. Carol’s Pub
Sing your heart out to your favorite country songs
4659 N Clark Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 | Uptown | carolschicago.com
While Carol’s pub is most well-known for their live music from local artists trying to break out into the music industry, they also have a pretty rocking karaoke night every Wednesday starting at 9 pm.
With a western-themed decor, you’ll feel a bit like you’ve walked into an old country tavern when you walk through the front doors of this dive, but the music may surprise you - especially on popup karaoke night.
“So wowed by the new Carol's! Great and reasonably priced drinks, service and you really feel like a star when you sing karaoke on a real stage. It looks so nice inside!” - Yelp Review
7. Sakura Karaoke Bar
Show off your singing skills inside this chic, modern bar
234 W Cermak Rd | Chinatown | sakurakaraokebar.com
Looking for a top-notch karaoke spot that offers services at a reasonable price? Sakura Karaoke Bar might be the perfect spot for you. Located in Chinatown, Sakura Karaoke offers a newly expanded bar, karaoke stage, and a full dance floor with a state-of-the-art LED lighting system. Together, they create the ultimate karaoke destination.
Want a more private experience? Sakura offers eight private VIP suites for guests. If you get hungry, you can try one of the many Western and Asian dishes that Sakura offers.
“Non-stop fun, and reasonably priced. The individual rooms are a great time for birthday parties and celebrations.” - Yelp Review
8. Hidden Cove
Enjoy a casual night out at this laid back, no-frills bar
5336 N Lincoln Ave | Lincoln Square
Looking for something a little more low-key? You don’t have to go to a flashy club with a special stage for karaoke. Take Hidden Cove, for instance. This rustic, no-frills bar is the perfect spot for anyone looking for a chill, low-key night. Inside, you’ll find a small karaoke set-up beside a dance floor, some darts games, and a couple of flat screen TVs.
This dive bar also offers a great selection of beer at low prices. That said, it does not offer food. So you might want to eat at another bar or restaurant before coming if you think you’ll get hungry later on in the evening.
“The best place that you can sing and dance and feel safe with no judgment. The cash bar and friendly staff make for a great place to pop in any day of the week with the community regulars. People that return to the neighborhood from out of town would never return home without a visit to the Cove.” - Yelp Review
9. Lincoln Karaoke
Hit up the northside and party like a rockstar
5526 N Lincoln Ave | Lincoln Square | lincolnkaraokechicago.com
If you’re ready for a night filled with booze and singing, Lincoln Karaoke is the place to be. Located just minutes from Downtown Chicago, Lincoln Karaoke offers an extensive selection of cocktails and beer. VIP bottle service is also available if you’re in the mood to treat yourself.
As for the karaoke part, you’ll be able to sing to your heart’s content in one of their many private karaoke rooms. You’ll probably get hungry at some point during the night. That’s ok. Lincoln Karaoke has a menu filled with delicious foods including wings, cheese fries, popcorn chicken, and pizza!
“They have a large library of music that you can sing karaoke to. Our room at 6 microphones that you could sing into which we used gratuitously. Their library is pretty extensive and has all the typical favorites you'd expect for karaoke and then a bunch of randoms.” - Yelp Review
10. Trader Todd’s
Grab a beer from the beer garden and get ready to belt out your favorite song
3216 N Sheffield Ave | Lakeview | tradertodd.com
At Trader Todd’s, you can eat, drink, and sing to your heart’s content. Fully-vaccinated singers are welcome on stage to belt out their favorite tunes.
While you’re there, make sure you grab a slice of their famous pizza. Trader Todd’s offers almost a dozen specialty pizzas as well as a create-your-own-pizza option. If pizza isn’t your thing, you can also order wings or sliders. Yum!
“Oh Trader Todd's! How you never disappoint. We have seriously missed coming here for a lovely getaway from city life. There are beers, tropical cocktails, shots, karaoke, and more shots!” - Yelp Review
11. Zero Degree Karaoke Bar & Club
Popular karaoke bar in Chinatown that offers private rooms
453 W 24th St, Fl 2 | Chinatown
Zero Degree in Chinatown is another great spot for showing off your singing chops. Not only does it offer an eclectic array of drinks and food, it also features private rooms for people who want to enjoy a night of singing with just their close friends. The bar is open from 8pm-2am, so you can spend all night singing your heart out. Try out Zero Degree for your next night out!
“Great place to hang out and sing whatever/however you want :) I'd say it's my favorite karaoke place in town!” - Yelp Review
12. Alice’s Lounge
Laidback bar in Avondale that fills up quickly with guests eager to show off their singing chops
3556 W Belmont Ave | Avondale
Next up on the list is Alice’s Lounge. This popular dive bar in Avondale is a hot spot for late night drinks and karaoke. Inside, you’ll find a cozy bar filled with lively bartenders and patrons eager to try out their singing skills. While you wait your turn, you can enjoy a cheap drink or two along with some free snacks.
Hit up Alice’s Lounge on your next night out!
“Absolutely love going to this bar with friends. It's fun to do karaoke and it has a great atmosphere.. Don't be afraid to sing because most people sing along anyway and no one cares what you sound like.” - Yelp Review
13. Green Light Korean Pub & Karaoke
Enjoy a night of booze, Korean food, and karaoke at this popular Chicago bar
2519 W Peterson Ave | West Rogers Park | greenlightchicago.com
Green Light Korean Pub & Karaoke is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for karaoke. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or hosting a workplace bonding event, Green Light is the ultimate destination for private karaoke parties.
Along with private karaoke rooms, Green Light offers a full drink and food menu. Kimchi Pancakes, Seasoned Pork Belly, Fire Noodles, and more savory dishes await you along with beer, soju, and cocktails. Check out their website for more info!
“Hands down the best Karaoke experience we've ever had thanks to Liz and Woody. Absolutely amazing customer service and they brought the vibes. The food was mind blowingly delicious and the drinks were amazing.” - Yelp Review
14. Sidekicks
Every night is karaoke night at this popular late night bar
4424 W Montrose Ave | Irving Park | sidekicks-chicago.com
Next up on the list, we have Sidekicks. This cash-only joint offers karaoke every night. Unlike some of the other spots on the list, you don’t have to wait until the weekend to enjoy some karaoke with friends.
While you wait for your turn to sing, you can enjoy some drinks and food. Our favorite dishes include the “Sidekicks” Nacho Supreme, Original Cheddar Cheese Poppers, and Garlic Cheese Bread.
“It's the best karaoke bar I've been to and one of my favorite dives in the city…It has a unique charm that everyone ends up warming to and loving, even if it's not their "scene". It truly is a magical place.” - Yelp Review
15. Jimmy’s Place
This must-see spot is perfect for grabbing a beer and belting out some tunes alongside your buddies
4300 South Amelia Ave | Lyons
Finally, we have Jimmy’s Place. This popular Chicago karaoke bar is the perfect place to unwind after a long week.
Jimmy’s hosts karaoke nights every Friday and Saturday. While you wait your turn, you can enjoy a game of pool or grab some beer with your friends. They also offer a jukebox for playing your favorite songs.
Hit up Jimmy’s on your next night out on the town!
“This place is great. Friendly crowd. Owners and staff go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Friday nights and every other Saturday they have karaoke and a good karaoke crowd. If you’re looking to have a good time in a neighborhood bar, this is the place to be.” - Yelp Review
There you have it, the 15 best karaoke joints in Chicago! The next time you want to jump onto an elevated surface and belt out your favorite songs, you’ll know where to go. So grab some friends and get ready to hop on stage. When the night is over, you can let us know how your musical debut went.
Trae Bodge
Trae Bodge is the shopping expert here at GiftYa. Trae helps people find the best deals and ideas on popular new items to purchase.
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