Los Angeles Karaoke Bars
From wannabe divas belting out "I Will Survive" to drunken duos singing "Summer Nights," karaoke is one of the most popular ways to spice up a night of drinking in almost any town. In Los Angeles, though, karaoke also serves as the practice stage for aspiring singers. Alongside goofy friends laughing at each other's drunken performances are people who take to the stage with hopes of an agent sitting quietly in the audience. As per usual, much of the Los Angeles karaoke scene erupts from mild-mannered-by-day Japanese restaurants that haul out the microphone when the sun goes down. But, due to it's popularity, karaoke also has come to be an institution in a variety of venues, ranging from dedicated nights at dive bars to constantly swarmed stages at live music clubs.
Amagi
6114 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.962.6808
Amagi is a mild mannered Los Angeles Japanese restaurant by day, but at night the ultra cheap booze fuels a rowdy karaoke party with sauced bar patrons belting out renditions of off beat classics. Amagi sports serious Japanese kitsch meeting Los Angeles local bar coolness and nearly every Hollywood denizen takes their turn on the small stage. Those less inclined to hit the boozy amateur signing circuit can grab a stool at the bar and still view the action at this cheap liquor swilling, hard partying Los Angeles karaoke bar.
Bingeoke at Busby's
5364 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.525.2615
Some might say it's an unholy marriage bringing bingo and karaoke together, but it's more of a love child. Every Tuesday at 8pm the dance floor at Busby's gets converted into a bingo parlor and karaoke venue. A $20 donation buys 10 rounds of bingo and all the Neil Diamond songs one can stomach. Doesn't sound so hot? Well, it's for charity, so...
Rosen Music Studio
3488 W. 8th St., Los Angeles, California, 90005; Tel. 213.387.0469
Koreatown is a karaoke bar hot spot, and Rosen Music Studio fits right in as a state of the art karaoke bar. Los Angeles loves having the option of singing disco in English or even Korean, Japanese, and Chinese. Even if you can't speak one of those languages, why not make it a more interesting night and give it your best try? You might be obligated to buy the bar a round of drinks afterwards though. The food, a full bar, and speedy waiters can make any night in LA a good night, especially when it is singing karaoke at Rosen.
