You’ve mastered those High School Musical vocal warm-ups, given several dozen car concerts, and identified which Taylor Swift song best describes your current emotional state. You’re ready for the big time… that is, belting out a Top 40 favorite in front of a room full of strangers holding vodka sodas. It’s karaoke night, and all you have to do now is figure out where to go.
Whether you’re seeking a full house to witness your Mariah Carey moment or a private room where you and your buds have full control of the mic, San Diego has a karaoke spot for you—here are eight of the best, from NoCo to the Gaslamp.
Courtesy of Saddle Bar
Saddle Bar
Tucked away in a 1920s bike shop is the Saddle Bar, one of the only designated karaoke spots in North County. Wednesday nights are for karaoke, while others are reserved for open mics, live bands, and local DJs, all celebrating the North County music scene.
For a karaoke room with good, cheap eats and a solid song selection, hit up Spot KTV on Convoy. Filled with private rooms and tasty Taiwanese food, this joint remains a hit amongst those who need sustenance to sing all night long. This is also an all-ages location, so if a family singing competition is what you need, this is your place.
7327 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Convoy District
Courtesy of Hive Karaoke
Hive Karaoke
Perhaps one of the most popular spots for karaoke along the singing street of Convoy is Hive Karaoke, which offers plenty of private rooms for karaoke in San Diego. Not only can you reserve a room for up to 50 people, but you can also order 10 different flavors of Korean fried chicken and seven flavors of soju cocktails.
4428 Convoy Street, Suite 100, Convoy District
Courtesy of Melody Karaoke & Cafe
Melody Karaoke & Cafe
An affordable karaoke room is hard to come by, but Melody Karaoke & Cafe offers low prices on private rooms, as well as reasonably priced food and drinks. An eight-person room goes for around $45, making it one of the cheaper options for going out as a group. They offer a kitted-out sake bar and other shareable bites, like a half-pound of spicy shrimp for $13.
4344 Convoy Street, Convoy District
Courtesy of The Lamplighter
The Lamplighter
Nightly karaoke with a theme? Yes, please! The Lamplighter in Hillcrest offers karaoke every evening starting at 9:15 p.m., and the signup sheet fills up quickly. With themes like Emo Night, you’ll be sure to find something you like on the 25,000-deep song list.
817 W Washington Street, Hillcrest
Courtesy of Redwing Bar and Grill
Redwing Bar and Grill
Redwing keeps the karaoke consistent at their North Park location (Tuesday through Sunday, the tunes start at 7 p.m.). Thursdays offer a special opportunity to first test your knowledge with trivia before letting loose on stage. That also happens to be the day with the most specials on beers and burgers.
4012 30th Street, North Park
Courtesy of Star Bar
Star Bar
On any given Tuesday, you can find patrons of Star Bar in the Gaslamp Quarter enjoying a night of karaoke, as well as the bar’s special of $5 candy shots and imported beers. Not only are there great deals on karaoke nights, but Star Bar also offers baseball season specials during live Padres games.
423 E Street, Gaslamp Quarter
Courtesy of Werewolf American Pub
Werewolf
Pull an all-dayer at another Gaslamp locale, Werewolf—brunch spot by morning, karaoke by night. There’s also no pressure to drink like a fish with the signature mocktails offered, like the fragrant Midsummer Night’s Dream with cucumber, sage, lime, and soda. But if drinks are your thing, just know they’re ready for you as early as 8 a.m.
627 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
Courtesy of Gaslamplighter
Gaslamplighter
Sometimes dressing up before taking the stage can make you feel like even more of a star. Bring out your inner ballad diva with the Gaslamplighter’s sophisticated dress code and craft cocktails with names referencing the ultra-classy Vegas crooners we all like to think we sing like.
