Calling all good (or terrible) karaoke enthusiasts in and around the Twin Cities metro: This is for you.
Despite the persistent, frigid cold of Minnesota (we all get it) there’s no reason our avid in-doorsmen and women can’t step out and enjoy some enthusiastic, heartfelt, improvised, and often off-key performances. We all have that friend who loves to belt their heart out any/everywhere. What better way to exploit them than by throwing them on a stage for everyone to secretly judge, cringe, and/or applaud them for their natural singing abilities? They just might thank you later.
The Twin Cities offers a variety of bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and venues of all sizes for singing some karaoke. Some places offer karaoke nights more than others, while there are some that host it every night of the week resulting in a party, always.
Here is a quick list of the Twin Cities’ 10 best karaoke bars & lounges.
Vegas Lounge
Karaoke 7 (yes, 7) days a week. Vegas Lounge was voted best karaoke bar in Twin Cities by City Pages, and is known by those who know as the place to go for the best in amateur singing.
Encore Karaoke Sushi Lounge
Encore Karaoke & Sushi Lounge is a cornerstone in the Minneapolis community, and has been recognized for its outstanding Sushi cuisine, excellent service and friendly staff. Come for dinner, but make sure to stay for karaoke.
Uptown VFW
The Uptown VFW hosts all sorts of events within their 3 separate bars. Get in early to reserve a spot in the karaoke queue, as it fills up fast with singers from all walks of life.
The 1029 Bar
Voted best karaoke sound system in Minneapolis. Karaoke is every Wednesday through Sunday at 9pm. Plus, with a kitchen created by the Smack Shack boys, you can get some pretty decent lobster before you get onstage as well.
Burrito Loco
Located in Dinkytown, Burrito Loco is serious about getting people onstage to bare their musical shows: They offer free shots for anyone who sings karaoke 9pm to close. Liquid courage, right?
Moose Bar and Grill
Moose Bar and Grill hosts karaoke almost every night of the week starting at 9pm. Be warned, it does get rowdy and the crowd isn’t shy about letting you know how they feel about your selection.
Punch Bowl Social
If you’re too shy to sing in front of a crowd, and want to take baby steps in your singing karaoke career, check out PBS. They offer smaller, private rooms for you and friends to belt it out without anyone from the outside hearing or seeing you (until you’re ready to share your skills with the world).
The Town House
Your friendly neighborhood LGBTQ bar. See the Town House’s calendar for karaoke nights multiple times during every week. Added bonus: You can take the Green Line to this University Avenue mainstay, perfect for when you’ve had one-too-many while singing.
Dulano’s Pizza
Karaoke every Monday and Tuesday nights at 9pm. Good for service-industry folks with strange schedules looking for something to do on their day off, it makes random weeknights just as much of a party as the preceding weekend.
Mounds Park Sports Bar
Come sing your heart out at karaoke night every Sunday at 8:30 pm to 12:30 pm, and every Wednesday after BINGO (a two-for-one night of entertainment). It might be a little hard to find, but the neighborhood joint really knows how to have a good time.
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