Crowds of people watch karaoke singers take their turn at the microphone at the 7 Bamboo Lounge in San Jose, Calif., Friday, March 15, 2024. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Are you crazy about karaoke? Whether you prefer to shine in the spotlight or simply sit back for the show, check out this selection of local karaoke bars. From sing-to-the crowd spots to private KTVs, there’s no shortage of singing in sight.
East Bay
Golden Lounge: One of the Bay’s fancier karaoke bars, Fremont’s Golden Lounge offers 19 private music rooms with continuously updated entertainment song systems. Prices range from $50 to $180 an hour, depending on the room. And unlike shadier joints that serve soggy, half-microwaved bao buns, this bar has a full-fledged, on-site Korean BBQ restaurant offering everything from steamed dumplings and potstickers to wok-fried meats. 6006 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont; goldenloungektv.com
Jaguar Karaoke: The private karaoke rooms at this pair of music spots are priced per minute, so if you go slightly over, you won’t be charged for the full next hour. The real beauty? They let you bring in your own food and drinks. The Oakland location at 4390 Telegraph Ave. is close to several Korean restaurants, so it’s perfect for a true K-Pop night. Find the Berkeley Jaguar at 2516 Durant Ave.
Mel-O-Dee Cocktails: Reminiscent of the old Las Vegas lounges of the ’60s, this vintage cocktail bar radiates retro right down to the velvety wallpaper and classic decor. Mel-O-Dee boasts a tasteful array of drinks and karaoke on the main stage Wednesday through Saturday nights. 240 El Cerrito Plaza, El Cerrito; melodeecocktails.com
The Legionnaire Saloon: K-pop meets country at this Oakland bar, where wooden furnishings and a wide whiskey collection recall the Old West with one twist: nightly karaoke! With more than 50,000 songs on tap and a live DJ, you can let your inner rock star shine. It’s a sing-to-the-bar set-up, but if you’re stage shy and want to practice until you’re pitch perfect, you can check their song offerings ahead of time at karafun.com/karaoke/. 2272 Telegraph Ave., Oakland; legionnairesaloon.com/karaoke
South Bay
Genting Karaoke: One of San Jose’s most popular karaoke destinations, Genting offers professional JBL sound systems, vertical rock microphones, a dance floor, themed rooms and a regularly updated, multilingual song selection. Take the spotlight on the small stage, or book a private room ($50 to $168 per hour). 950 Story Road, San Jose; gentingkaraoke.com/
Music Land: With rooftop seating, bar games and tunes that range from K-pop to oldies, Music Land brings the sheet heat to Milpitas. The food and drink offerings are just as diverse, serving up bar basics like french fries and mozzarella sticks, but also takoyaki, salt edamame and boba. Private karaoke rooms are $38 to $98 per hour. 788 Barber Lane, Milpitas; musiclandktv.com/home
Sodini’s: Established in 1935, Sodini’s is your classic dive bar, an everyman lounge with TVs, pool tables, darts and drinks. It’s not the swankiest spot in town, but with music-themed cocktails and karaoke nights Thursday through Saturday, there’s plenty to love. Delicate eardrums beware: rowdy rumor has it that this place can get louder than loud, especially when the drinks start flowing. 727 El Camino Real, Redwood City
7 Bamboo: Smack in the heart of San Jose’s historic Japantown, 7 Bamboo has been bringing beats — and 145,000 songs — to the Bay since the ’70s. There’s just one stage, but you can warm up your pipes with their early evening happy hour. 162 Jackson St,. San Jose; 7bamboo.com/
Originally published at Brittany Delay