“Oh, I wanna dance with somebody…” No scrap that; what I actually want is for everybody to sit and listen admiringly whilst I warble my way through some Whitney classics, and what better place for that dream to come true than at a karaoke bar?
Luckily for us Londoners, there are plenty of places in our beloved city for us to grab a drink, seize a mic, and flaunt our (questionable) vocal skills. So, without further ado; here’s our rundown of the best karaoke bars in London for you to let your inner superstar shine.
1. The Star by Liverpool Street
With seven different karaoke rooms in the venue (each with their own individual theme) and a karaoke bottomless brunch, The Star by Liverpool Street might as well call itself a karaoke hub. They also have over 10,000 songs to choose from; that’s scope for a whole headline set of floor-fillers or, you know, Angels by Robbie Williams ten times in a row, whatever floats your boat.
They also offer a menu full of great beers, cocktails, and street food for refueling and rehydrating during your sing-athon, so this venue is certainly worth a visit on your next night out.
📍 94 Middlesex Street, E1 7EZ
Plan your visit here.
2. The Star of Bethnal Green
There are plenty of popular East End boozers, but The Star of Bethnal Green has got to be pretty near the top of that list. They’re known for their legendary parties – even Idris Elba has been behind the decks here – as well as their themed brunches, drag bingo, and killer pub quiz.
One other thing that this place is known for is its raucous karaoke nights. Open until midnight on Mondays to Thursdays and until 2am on the weekends, there’s plenty of opportunity here to let loose any day of the week. Their plush karaoke room is loaded up with over 15,000 songs, and it can fit up to 20 people, so it’s perfect for a group of mates looking to try and give Grammy-worthy performances. Or not…
📍 359 Bethnal Green Road, E2 6LG
Plan your visit here.
3. Lucky Voice
Lucky Voice is all about the party atmosphere – a place to ‘cut loose’ and belt out some real classics. The private booths here have dancefloors and can hold up to 30 people which makes it the perfect choice for a birthday party, a stag do, or a hen do. They also do some great cocktails which can be ordered directly to your booth with a press of the ‘thirsty’ button.
Even the fussiest of singers will be able to find something they want to sing at one of their four London locations as yet again, there are over 10,000 songs on the catalogue here, with everything from current chart hits to old-school classics. There’s also a DJ booth in the bar area playing tunes into the early hours of the morning, so there’s no reason not to get your party on here.
📍 Various London locations
Plan your visit here.
4. The Old Queen’s Head
Situated just down Essex Road, close to Angel tube station, The Old Queen’s Head is a lively spot that is famous for its pub quizzes, gigs, Sunday roasts, and club nights at the weekends. It’s also one of the best places to enjoy karaoke in London.
They’ve got two options for karaoke here: you can book the ‘karaoke room’, which can hold up to 15 people and where you’ll have your own private host. Alternatively, you can make use of the much larger ‘Play Room’ – no, not that kind – which can hold up to 70 people and has the capacity of over 10,000 songs. If you’ve had enough karaoke, you can also challenge your mates at table football or some vintage arcade games.
📍 44 Essex Road, N1 8LN
Plan your visit here.
5. Nonna’s Attico at Bunga Bunga
For fairly obvious reasons, restaurants inspired by scandal-tarred politicians don’t often thrive in the modern world. Well, all except one. Joyfully bucking this trend is the fun-loving Bunga Bunga, a madcap Italian restaurant partly inspired by the scandalous and salacious antics of former Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi.
The team here clearly believe there are three keys to a good party: lots of food, outrageous entertainment, and generally getting as silly as you can. Styled around a classic Italian nanna’s house, Nonna’s Attico is a private karaoke space with pizzas, cocktails, a fancy dress trunk and a ‘Push for Prosecco’ button – sounds like our kind of night out.
📍 167 Drury Lane, WC2B 5PG
Plan your visit here.
6. Leyton Star
This casual pub is a great spot in which to watch sports, but it’s also one of the best spots in which to enjoy karaoke in London. Above the pub lies their aptly-named ‘karaoke room’ which will give you the chance to warble to your heart’s content.
The Leyton Star has also got a weekly pub quiz as well as one of the largest beer gardens in East London, so why not make a full day and night of it?
📍 116 High Road, E15 2DE
Plan your visit here.
7. The Exhibit
From pop to punk rock and everything in between, The Exhibit‘s karaoke room offers over 10,000 songs to choose from, a VIP service, and a guaranteed good time.
With five bars, a secret garden, bottomless brunches, DJs at the weekend, and a happy hour (or four) every day; once you’ve finished your singing session, there’s still plenty more fun to be had at The Exhibit.
📍 12 Balham Station Road, SW12 9SG
Plan your visit here.
8. Star By Hackney Downs
Star by Hackney Downs is the ultimate east London boozer, with a whole host of brilliant beers and some awesome grub – as well as gluten-free and vegan choices that don’t feel like the short straw. They’ve also got a great karaoke room – sponsored by Lucky Voice – which can hold up to 15 punters.
What better spot to get your groove on and channel your inner material girl, hey?! They also offer numerous rather handy drinks packages, because who wants to keep running down to the bar when you’re on round three of ‘Rolling in the Deep’, am I right?
📍 35 Queensdown Road, Lower Clapton, E5 8JQ
Plan your visit here.
9. Lan Kwai Fong
Famous for their digital beer pong tables, Lan Kwai Fong is a great spot to go to in Camden when you’re looking for a night on the town. Taking inspiration from Hong Kong‘s lively Lan Kwai Fong district, they take the classic uni sport and elevate it to the next level, with plenty of flashing neon lights and the expectant crowd slowly ratcheting up the tension.
They also have some cracking karaoke on offer here, with two private rooms available to rent out which are decked out with all the latest songs. Throw in their signature cocktails and some excellent food and you’ve got the recipe for a great night. Good reason for adding this one to our list of the best karaoke bars in London.
📍 27 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AG
Plan your visit here.
10. Bao London
What’s better than karaoke, I hear you ask? Karaoke with a side of steamed buns. That’s right, hidden away in Bao‘s Shoreditch and Borough branches, you’ll find a karaoke room kitted out for up to 12 people inspired by the KTV rooms found across Asia.
You can order platters to the room for you to stuff your face with buns before reclaiming the mic for your encore and taking your final bao.
📍 Various London locations
Plan your visit here.
11. The Bat and Ball, Stratford
Our penultimate entry onto this list of the best karaoke bars in London is one that’s sure to bring the fun in spades. The Bat and Ball is something of an institution in this neck of the woods, and it’s pretty easy to see why.
Stocked with over 20,000 songs, their private, UV karaoke booth has space for 19 people and is just waiting for you and your mates to let loose on the mic. As well as karaoke, there’s also beer and prosecco pong, table tennis, pool, and live DJs on Fridays and Saturdays – it’s the full package!
📍 2 Montfichet Road, E20 1EJ
Plan your visit here.
12. All Star Lanes
Rounding off this list of the best karaoke bars in London is All Star Lanes, a chain that is well known for its bowling but also offers karaoke rooms in its White City and Brick Lane branches.
You’ll be able to sing your heart out to all the classics for – get this – under a tenner per person! As well as all the karaoke fun, you’ll also be able to wine and dine on authentic American diner food and two-for-one tankards of piña coladas. There are photobooths too in case you’re wanting to remember some of the night…
📍 Various London locations
Plan your visit here.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best karaoke bars in London. So what are you waiting for? Grab your best party shirt, warm-up the vocal chords, and we’ll see you in the karaoke booth!