OK, so nobody’s willing to pay you to headline your very own national stadium tour where you cover all of your favorite ’90s ballads. That doesn’t mean you can’t belt ’em out in public—without causing a scene. New York City is home to many incredible karaoke bars that are just waiting for your vocal talents (or enthusiasm, if that’s all you’ve got). From Koreatown to downtown, these are the best of the best.
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Located in the heart of Koreatown, Maru Karaoke Lounge is mainly a dance club with a few private rooms for karaoke. It’s perfect for a night out with friends who want to sing their hearts out and then dance into the wee hours.
11 W. 32nd St., 3rd & 4th floors; marukaraokelounge.
Baby Grand is a friendly, intimate karaoke bar where all patrons sing along together, no judgment allowed. With no private rooms (or reservations), guests are encouraged to arrive early, get comfortable and join the crowd for a feel-good sing-along. We recommend visiting Monday through Wednesday to rub elbows with the regulars.
161 Lafayette St.; babygrandnyc.com
A no-frills karaoke bar with everything you need for a group karaoke sesh. The song catalog features a long list of Spanish offerings, plus it’s BYOB (no liquor) and welcomes birthday parties and group gatherings. Bonus: They hand out free candy.
28 W. 32nd St.; gagopakaraoke.com
This karaoke “cave” is hidden underneath Le Midi restaurant in Greenwich Village and is perfect for a straight-up sing-a-thon. A microphone is passed around, so all patrons can get a chance at stardom, and if you’re lucky, you’ll play witness to one of their famous karaoke league competitions. Private rooms are available, and we suggest taking advantage of the happy hour specials.
11 E. 13th St.; karaokecavenyc.com
One of the city’s classics, Karaoke Duet has multiple locations where you can reserve a private room and sing until the early morning. It’s not BYOB, but it has a full bar, and you are encouraged to order delivery right to your private room. If you’re feeling exceptionally energetic, opt in to a karaoke “marathon,” which allows you to sing for up to seven hours for $16 total during daytime hours. We suggest checking out the new location, Den Social—its modern decor alone is worth a visit.
Multiple locations; karaokeduet.com
This neighborhood karaoke spot is the perfect mix of great food and entertainment. Hit up the Gowanus restaurant for delicious Korean food and stay for the private karaoke rooms in the back. At Insa, there’s no need to sacrifice great bites and cocktails while singing Boyz II Men on loop—plus, the party rooms are super Instagrammable.
328 Douglass St., Brooklyn; insabrooklyn.com
Ever dream of becoming a rock star? We have you covered. Every Monday, Arlene’s Grocery hosts a one-of-a-kind rock 'n’ roll karaoke that lets you sing along to your favorite hits with the help of a live band. We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance and getting there early to warm up your pipes and air guitar.
95 Stanton St.; arlenesgrocery.net
With two Manhattan locations—one on St. Marks and another on Avenue A, it’s easy to hop into Sing Sing after a late-night bar crawl. The low-key vibe of this karaoke joint makes it welcoming to belt out your favorite tunes without embarrassment or expectations. The main room is open for crowd-sourced ballads, but private rooms are available to book, too.
Multiple locations; karaokesingsing.com
