One of the best things about music is that it lets you take on a specific persona that can provide cover, independence, power, or some kind of glammed up version of yourself. Even better, that persona can be completely temporary. In that vein, karaoke allows you to take that persona and truncate it into a three minute moment of glory (or tragedy, depending on your vocal range).
The fourth week of April is officially “National Karaoke Week,” and we in the Stranger Things To Do department are giving you the sonic key to the city: over 50 karaoke nights and establishments that will provide you with the opportunity to let your freak flag fly in musical V-formation. In addition to the comprehensive list you’ll find on our music calendar (which has options ranging from sticky-floored dive bars to slick private booths), we’ve also selected the 10 most promising karaoke nights and establishments across the city and compiled them here for your convenience. (Plus, the Hideout is having a Prince-themed karaoke night on April 21).
1. Baby Ketten Skate-a-raoke
$10 gets you a skate rental with Baby Ketten Karaoke. Skate around with a drink in one hand and a microphone in the other — what more could you want? (White Center)
2. Baranof Karaoke
Enter a full-on time warp when you walk through the doors of the Baranof into a dark, nautical-themed bar blaring any number of intriguing songs during their nightly karaoke sessions. Salty regulars, cheap well drinks, and unimpressed bar staff are to be expected. (Greenwood)
3. Bush Garden Karaoke
Bush Garden, a Japanese restaurant with rolly-aroundy upholstered chairs, a faux pagoda roof, and raspy-voiced bartendresses, is favored by many karaoke enthusiasts, including those at the Seattle Weekly, who voted it “Best Karaoke in Seattle” in 2015. (International District)
4. Cool Butts Karaoke
Hosted by sweet Mama Hudge, Cool Butts is the new karaoke kid in town, with tons of hits to choose from, and close proximity to Neon Taco, so you can alternately sing and snack all Sunday night. (Capitol Hill)
5. Crescent Lounge
The Crescent, one of the last legit Capitol Hill dives, serves up tried and true karaoke every night for the rest of your life. (Capitol Hill)
6. GGNZLA “I Hate Karaoke” at Pony
Oh sure, you’ve done karaoke before, but have you ever done it in a gay bar with wheat-pasted penises on every surface? What the hell are you waiting for? Last summer, the touring cast of Book of Mormon showed up, opened their golden-throated voices, and blew everyone’s minds. GGNZLA also has karaoke on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights. (Capitol Hill and Ballard)
7. Kamioke
Join KJ Kami for a night of disco and yacht rock at the Ballard Eagles’ Club. Get ready for songs and drink prices straight from our most polyestered decade in a space also preserved from that bygone era. (Ballard)
8. Liquid Courage Karaoke
Liquid Courage is special mostly because it’s both free and all ages karaoke, which is rare in this town. (Belltown)
9. Rickshaw Restaurant & Lounge Karaoke
This dimly lit temple of shtick hosts karaoke every night at 9pm, with cheap drinks and happy hour Chinese food specials til late. (Greenwood)
10. Twilight Exit Karaoke
Local institution Twilight Exit has very community-oriented karaoke every Sunday night, and trust that there will be some dude from the neighborhood singing “Kryptonite” by Three Doors Down every single time. (Central District)
Remember, y’all: breathe from your diaphragm, feel grounded in your abilities, and drink til you’re Mariah.
