Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
teur lungs to step up to the mic and perform front person duties. Join the caterwauling carousel and do your part
to reaffirm the inherent dignity of the human race by drinking way too much tequila and then letting loose on a
heartfelt version of “My Humps.” More traditional canned-music-and-bouncing-ball karaoke can also be found
citywide, often for little more than the price of your boozing. The venues below don't enforce drink minimums,
and often karaoke nights are too crowded for anyone to notice if you're not tippling. Then again, doesn't sobriety
kind of go against the very spirit of karaoke?
Arlene's Grocery
If you've ever wondered where the tri-state has been hiding its best Ozzy Osbourne
and David Lee Roth imitators, you've been missing out on the live music karaoke at Arlene's Grocery. Legendary
Monday night shows fill 3 hours with the soul-uplifting sounds of '70s classic rock and '80s hair metal. If you
sign up and ascend the stage, you'll find the crowd enthusiastic, and nothing beats the thrill of belting out “Black
Dog” or “Paradise City” over an ass-kicking band. It's worth a visit just to check out the regulars. Many of them
have come all the way from Jersey to show of how well they can work a club full of rabid fans with fingers spread
in devil's horns. There's no cover for these covers if you come for Monday night (10pm-1am); Friday's midnight
version is $10.
95 Stanton St., btw. Ludlow and Orchard sts.
212/358-1633.
www.arleneslivekaraoke.com
.
Subway: F to Second Ave.; J/M/Z to Essex
St.
Hill Country
The legendary Kreuz Market was the inspiration for this slice of Texas in the big city. The low-
ceilinged basement here is a rollicking spot to catch some twang-tinged tunage. On Tuesday nights at 8:30pm,
you can add your voice by singing lead with the Wicked Messengers. David Allen Coe makes the set list, but you
can also find plenty of hard rock staples. Unfortunately the BBQ don't come free.
30 W. 26th St., btw. Broadway and Sixth Ave.
212/255-4544.
www.livebandkaraokenyc.com
.
Subway: F/M to 23rd St.; N/R to 28th St.
Hip Hop Karaoke
We all know the extraordinary levels of talent required to make it in the rap world (just look
at the Insane Clown Posse), but that doesn't mean the unpolished among us can't entertain. Hip Hop Karaoke
is quickly becoming a phenomenon, with packed shows letting little Biggies rhyme away for a forgiving crowd.
(No one will think less of you if you're reading of a crib sheet.) Venues vary, with recent appearances at Mercury
Lounge and B. B. King's. Cover is only $5 with flyer ($8 without).
Locations vary. www.hiphopkaraoke nyc.com.
Keyboard Karaoke
Loser's Lounge keyboardist (and ex-Psychedelic Fur) Joe McGinty tickles the keys for
the pleasure of your pipes. His song list hops from Boz Skaggs to Bette Midler, with special guests often joining
in. Hosting venues change periodically, although the white grand piano at the Manhattan Inn, where Joe is cur-
rently ensconced, will be hard to outdo. It's on Tuesday nights, 10pm to 1am or so.
Manhattan Inn, 632 Manhattan Ave., at
Nassau Ave.
718/383-0885.
www.joemcginty.com
. Subway: G to Nassau Ave.
O'Flanagan's
The Human Karaoke Experience boasts a playlist of over 500 songs, so it shouldn't be hard
to find something in your range. Daughter of Brooklyn Pat Benatar (nee Patricia Andrzejewski) has five songs
represented, and there's a full complement of Beatles, Stones, and Elvii (both Presley and Costello). The host-
ing pub, O'Flanagan's on the Upper East Side, is congenial, if a little cookie-cutter. It takes place 2 Thursdays a
month, from 9pm to 1:30am.
1215 First Ave., btw. 65th and 66th sts.
212/439-0660.
www.humankaraoke.com
.
Subway: F to 63rd St./Lexington
Ave.; 6 to 68th St.
Punk Rock Heavy Metal Karaoke
For over a decade, this quartet has been getting heads banging with high-en-
ergy rock and the borrowed talents of a revolving door of guest singers. Fifth wheels can choose from almost 300
songs, with arena rock classics heavily represented. Fontana's, on the fringe of Chinatown, is the scene's current
home. Gigs are once a month, with a $5 cover.
105 Eldridge St., btw. Broome and Grand sts.
212/334-6740.
www.punkmetalkaraoke.com
.
Subway: B/D to Grand St.; F to Delancey St.; J/M/Z to Essex St.
Rock Star Karaoke
This hard-working band doesn't let the moss settle, rolling through several gigs a
week, sometimes twice a night! The playlist is diverse, covering AC/DC to Britney Spears, with stop-offs at Weez-
er and Roxette along the way. Look for stops at the National Underground and various Brother Jimmy's BBQs
around town.
Rock Star Karaoke, various locations.
917/446-0098.
www.rockstarkaraokenyc.com
.
Winnie's
For actual, old school karaoke, hipsters and Chinatown locals never have enough opportunity to chill
together, which is where Winnie's comes in. The place is an ungentrifiable dive, but the savings get passed on to
the crooning customer: It's only a buck a song to play along with the hit machine (they're still using laser disks,
