Best Karaoke Bars In Chicago
It doesn't matter if you have a great voice or not. If you love singing, head to a bar that has karaoke. You don't have to know all the words to a song or worry about the music. Karaoke, a Japanese word combo that means empty orchestra (music but not vocals) takes care of the melody. All you have to do is take the stage or spotlight and sing into the mic.There are some terrific bars In and around Chicago that do karaoke one or more nights a month. They have thousands of songs and a friendly atmosphere. So go have fun and express yourself.
Louie's Pub
1659 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773) 227-7947
www.louiespub.com
You don't ever have to worry about freezing on stage at Louie's in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. You'll have experienced KJ's (Karaoke Jockeys) who won't mind backing you up with vocals, if needed. In addition, the mic is wireless, so if inspired to move around to the song you can also show off some great moves. The pub has a super collection of old and new songs, plus a good digital system. The KJs keep things moving here between call-ups with everything from disco to rock. Louie's does karaoke Tuesday through Sunday beginning at 8 p.m.
Brando's Speakeasy
343 S. Dearborn St.
Chicago, IL 60604
(773) 216-3213
www.brandoschicago.com
You really don't need a password to get into Brando's in downtown Chicago, but when Dino Vulpitta opened the bar, he thought it should reflect the area's former speakeasy reputation. Be sure to ask him about that. The place draws a cross section of tourists and people who work downtown. But you never know who might drop in. You might want to ask for a Frankie Valli song if you're going to do karaoke. Vulpitta recalls when the Jersey Boys lived in the building's apartments during the first national tour of the popular musical, they would come downstairs into the bar to relax and do karaoke. More recently,when 2015 Lollapalooza-goers were told to temporarily vacate Grant Park during a mid-day storm, they went to Brando's. The bar does karaoke seven days a week whatever time asked, even mid-day.
Spyners Pub
4623 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 784-8719
www.spyners.com
Located in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood, Spyners draws a lot of locals. But because it is also a fun place with more than 50,000 songs and still adding, it also has a lot of karaoke lovers from throughout the city. The pub has a good DJ/KJ and a good sound system. Karaoke is Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9:30 p.m. until closing.
Danny's Pub And Grill
1550 N. Rout 59
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 961-5350
www.dannyspubandgrill.com
Danny's is a family-owned pub with a loyal following that welcomes others who drop in. Princess Marianne, its delightful KJ, leads the karaoke nights. They are the first and third Friday each month. This is a good place to try karaoke if living out in Chicago's western suburbs because no matter how good or bad, the performer will be awarded with applause and hugs.
House Of Music & Entertainment
1227 N. Rand Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 577-4663
www.homebarchicago.com
HOME is similar to the acronym for the Great Lakes (without the s). But in this case it stands for House of Music & Entertainment, a combination sports bar and touring bands venue in Chicago's northwestern suburb of Arlington Heights. Karaoke is held in the bar each Thursday from 10 a.m. to about 2 p.m. The bar is up front and a more intimate space than the theater in the rear. The place has more than 50,000 songs and an experienced DJ/KJ who nicely mixes karaoke with other music.
Related: Best Speakeasy Bars In Chicago
Jodie Jacobs is a veteran journalist who loves writing about Chicago, art, theater, museums and travel. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.