Within each of us lives an undiscovered Tina Turner or budding Frank Sinatra just waiting to be unleashed into a dark bar by way of a microphone and sound system. Or so we think. But with a little liquid courage and a lot of conviction, we can all be karaoke stars. These 16 bars will help feed those musical cravings every night of the week with private rooms for the shy songbirds, live bands for advanced folks and everything in between.
CITY STAPLES
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5400 N. Clark St. 773-784-6969
Fight Sunday scaries in Andersonville with an enormous catalog of songs and a rack of costumes that performers are invited to wear as they sing along on stage. Head back on Wednesdays for MaryOke Unplugged, where singers are accompanied by a live guitarist. Sunday 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. and Wednesday 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Alice’s Lounge
3556 W. Belmont Ave. 773-279-9382
It’s a true karaoke party at this hip Avondale dive where the sing-alongs are as plentiful as the Polish beer. It’s worth a visit if only for longtime karaoke jockey Fred Wood’s witty one-liners and props, such as guitars and inflatable saxophones. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11 p.m.-3:30 a.m. and Saturday 11 p.m.-4:30 a.m.
Holiday Club
4000 N. Sheridan Road 773-348-9600
Get weird in the photo booth, order a basket of tots and request your favorite song at this Rat Pack-themed bar and restaurant that’s located right off the Sheridan Red and Purple Line stop. Monday 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. and Wednesday 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Louie’s Pub
1659 W. North Ave. 773-227-7947
Expect a crowd and some A-plus show tune performances on any given night at this Wicker Park bar with songs on demand and wireless mics. In case of stage fright, karaoke jockeys will provide backup vocals upon request. Tuesday through Sunday starting at 8 p.m.
Rory Lake’s Karaoke Dreams at American Legion FDR Post 923
1824 W. Cortland St. 773-278-0093
Though a neighborhood American Legion bar may not be your regular hangout, karaoke fans flock to the Bucktown spot for cheap drinks and amateur entertainment where KJ/backup singer and dancer Rory has been known to incorporate costumes, light shows and sound effects. You’ll want to arrive early to get a song in. The next date is set for March 19 at 9 p.m., but keep an eye on rorylakepresents.com for more.
Blue Frog’s Local 22
22 E. Hubbard St. 312-527-1200
The original karaoke dive on LaSalle Street closed, but the sportier River North hangout remains for beer and a burger with a side of karaoke five nights a week. Tuesday through Saturday starting at 10 p.m. (9 p.m. on Friday).
Carol’s Pub
4659 N. Clark St. 773-334-2402
Billed as one of the last standing honky-tonk bars in Chicago, head to Uptown for Western-themed karaoke every Thursday at 9 p.m.
SEVEN NIGHTS A WEEK
Brando’s Speakeasy
343 S. Dearborn St. 773-216-3213
This South Loop speakeasy-style bar is known for its on-demand karaoke, every day any time of day, with more than 40,000 songs to choose from. Sunday through Friday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.-3 a.m.
Trader Todd’s
3216 N. Sheffield Ave. 773-348-3250
Get your song on at this Lakeview bar, self-proclaimed “Chicago’s best karaoke” (with the neon sign to prove it), that’s conveniently located just off the Belmont Red, Brown and Purple Line stop seven nights a week starting at 7:30 p.m.
No. 18 Karaoke
2201 S. Wentworth Ave. 312-225-0600
Located above Little Lamb Hot Pot, this clubby Chinatown karaoke bar offers a variety of public and private rooms, neon lights, posh booths and a full bar. Monday through Thursday 6 p.m.-1 a.m., Friday and Saturday 5:30 p.m.-3 a.m. and Sunday 5:30 p.m.-2 a.m.
Beer on Clark
3415 N. Clark St. 773-975-6677
Take advantage of nightly drink specials, comfort food and karaoke every night of the week at this Wrigleyville spot. Sunday through Friday 9 p.m.–2 a.m. and until 3 a.m. Saturday.
PRIVATE ROOM
Clark St. Karaoke at Lowcountry
3343 N. Clark St. 773-996-9997
Private rooms and bottle service await for karaokers at this Wrigleyville joint beneath seafood boil spot Lowcountry. Thursday through Saturday 7 p.m. to midnight. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday by reservation only.
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234 W. Cermak Road 312-326-9168
Grab a fancy cocktail and jump on stage to perform for the room under clubby neon lights at this Chinatown underground bar. Perks include more than 100,000 Asian and American pop songs and eight recently built private rooms that can be reserved. 6 p.m.-2 a.m. daily.
Lincoln Karaoke
5526 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-895-2299
Plan a party, rent a room, shake around light-up tambourines and let the musical debauchery begin at this Lincoln Square spot. Sunday through Friday 7 p.m.-2 a.m. and Saturday until 3 a.m.
LIVE BAND
Piece Brewery & Pizzeria
1927 W. North Ave. 773-772-4422
Grace the same stage that music prodigies such as Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen and audio engineer Steve Albini have performed for live-band karaoke. Despite BMI’s recent lawsuit against the Wicker Park pizza spot for allegedly neglecting to pay royalties for certain songs played, the show still goes on every Saturday at 11 p.m.
Roscoe’s Tavern
3356 N. Halsted St. 773-281-3355
Sing it loud and proud at the Boystown bar’s live band karaoke night every Monday starting at 10 p.m. Specials include $5 flavored whiskey shots and vodka bombs and $15 long island iced tea pitchers.
Additional reporting by Eat & Drink editor Morgan Olsen.
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