Karaoke brings people together like few other activities: it can be the pregame for a big night out in Brisbane/Meanjin or the final destination once you’ve had so much to drink you forget that you can’t actually sing...
Nothing is more liberating than belting out a 90s banger or 80s power ballard and knowing that everyone has to listen to you strive to hit those high notes. To save you from spending time scrolling through your phone looking for the best karaoke bars when you could be singing, Urban List's resident SingStar champs have put together a list of Brisbane’s best karaoke bars.
Blute’s Bar
322 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
In the heart of the Fortitude Valley mall lives Blute’s Bar, the party pub boasting an iconic karaoke scene. Five days a week from 7pm, chill out on the comfy leather and listen to the karaoke stars on stage—then get up there yourself. With fourteen taps on offer, cocktails and wine too, Blute’s guarantees good vibes and a non-negotiable boogie atmosphere.
Lost Souls
186 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
If listening to other people belt out-of-tune tracks is your own personal idea of hell, this karaoke spot is perfect for you. The team behind Netherworld has opened Lost Souls, a purgatory-themed karaoke bar where you have to sing for your soul. Forget just standing in a dimly lit room as you stare at a screen—here you'll be led to one of five hell-themed private rooms, each lorded over by a demonic creature with cartoon artwork, detailed props and hand-carved styrofoam sculptures creating an immersive experience. Not into singing? You can also hire Nintendo Switches instead of mics. Whatever you choose to sell your soul for, you can do it with cocktails and brews from the extensive drinks list in hand, and head next door to the Hellmouth Diner when you get peckish.
Cloud 8
2020 Kessels Road, Upper Mount Gravatt
Cloud 8 is revolutionising your A Star Is Born moment with their private karaoke rooms available for hire. Sing your heart out without breaking the bank on bevvies because BYO is allowed and get this—there’s no corkage fee. Liquid courage is at your full disposal. If this weren’t enough to get your hand wrapped around a mic, you can BYO food too. So will it be a night of ballads, fine wines and cheese boards, or Smashmouth, beers and pizzas? It’s your call.
Holey Moley
25 Warner Street, Fortitude Valley
Sometimes the night calls for one course of action—Gimme Gimme Gimme by ABBA (word for word and perfectly on-key). So whether it’s after-work drinks or a late-night crawl with friends, Holey Moley’s private karaoke rooms are up for grabs. And if you’re needing a warm up or to shake out that stage fright, why not putt a few holes at the indoor mini golf course just outside.
Music City
2/134 Adelaide Street, Brisbane CBD
As the self-proclaimed best karaoke in Brisbane, Music City is kicking your Sing Star routine up a notch. With over 10 rooms you can karaoke in private with 14 of your closest friends, impressing them with your angelic pipes. They update their songs every month, with new songs in 6 different languages, just to cover all bases. Best part? They are BYO with no corkage fee. Karaoke and cheap wine? Yes please.
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Strike Bowling
Wintergarden, Brisbane CBD
Strike Bowling is not your average bowling alley. Stop by their Wintergarden premises and book your own private karaoke room to belt some Beyoncé like nobody is listening. Strike even has laser tag and escape rooms to keep you occupied in case you get sick of singing, but let’s be real, can you get sick of karaoke?
Fat Louie’s
1/124 Albert Steet, Brisbane CBD
For a Brisbane classic when it comes to the art of karaoke, look no further than Fat Louie’s. With a number of private, Tokyo-style karaoke rooms decked out with lounges and disco balls, they have just about every throwback hit you could ever want to sing your heart out to. Book a room for any special event and experience the glorious feeling that comes with singing at the top of your lungs. Did we mention you can book a lounge with a private bar?
The Wickham
308 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley
Start warming up your vocal chords queens, because on the last Friday of every month, The Wickham's Peacock Room is taken over by a night of glitter, glamour and very loud (sometimes off-key) singing. Dress up, don't dress up, just come ready to sing your little heart out.
Ben’s Chinese & Vietnamese
14 Annerley Road, Woolloongabba
Keen for a quality feed and a sing? Ben’s Chinese and Vietnamese Restaurant is here to serve. Hosting karaoke every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night from 8pm to 10.30pm (for diners only), you can finally live out the fantasy of performing in front of a restaurant full of tipsy, full, and rowdy patrons. Who knows, there might even be a talent scout there who will whisk you away to New York, right? Until then, BYO wine and get singing.
Game Republic
661 Compton Road, Sunnybank Hills
After a round of pool and a few games of Mahjong, you may feel up to some karaoke. Not quite? Wet those vocal chords up at Game Republic's extensive bar and then choose one of their luxurious private rooms and get cracking on your tonal game, because no visit to this venue is complete without a rendition of your record of choice. The team at Game Republic have created a space fit for a night of singing and it's a must-visit for those looking for some extra-curricular, after-dark activites.
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Image credit: Blute's Bar | Facebook
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