Of course, this only works because our amazing staff encourages the best from our guests, which then creates a magically supportive community of singers every night of the week. That’s why we place so much emphasis on a quality customer experience. And as with any form of play, it’s only as fun as it is believable. While most karaoke bars simply treat it as yet another offering, like nachos or shuffleboard, we see karaoke as a grownup version of make-believe. “Baby Grand is our vision of fulfilling that responsibility.” He immaculately sums up Baby Grand’s magical vibe: “What sets us apart is our ethos. “ The greatest city in the world deserves the very best karaoke bar,” says owner Joey Park. The regulars will cheer you on in this special (and downright adorable) spot. For those wishing to conquer stage fright, Baby Grand is where it’s at. Baby Grand is for true karaoke lovers-even the bartenders have been known to get on the small stage for a song in between serving affordable cocktails. In other words, this is not a private booth situation, though the charming minuscule space delivers that intimate private room feel. The Lafayette Street popular spot is modeled after the super cute, intimate karaoke bars that you’ll find in Tokyo. See you there?!Īnother unique, magical, hip ’n’ home-y downtown karaoke bar is the fantastic Baby Grand, where it’s all about the music. Cho says people find out about Up Stairs mostly by word of mouth and come back again and again “because of our friendly, welcoming atmosphere.” She says, “Everyone can enjoy their sports games or karaoke.” Expect a wild atmosphere on August 17th when Up Stairs celebrates its 9th anniversary. But the true superstar of Up Stairs is legendary bar owner, Rena Cho. Other celebs who remembered their IDs and had their share of fun at this downtown haunt include Azealia Banks, Lorde, Tristan Wilds, and more. Sonic spoiler alert: Many will attempt Drake, who, by the way, was once turned away because he forgot his ID and the bouncer didn’t recognize him. Late night, especially on weekends, you’ll experience a flood of club kids pouring in, many who stay until last call. Didn’t we tell you this wasn’t your ordinary karaoke bar? Arrive on the earlier side for happy hour, which ends at 7pm, on any day of the week and you just might witness regulars in their 50s and up chilling, eating, and warbling Chinese ballads at this home-y happy place. Oh, and then there are larger meals, including garlic ribs, pan-fried ramen, burgers, and a damn-fine lamb chop and rib-eye steak. Smaller bites like mozzarella sticks, samosas, fish balls, potato skins, fries, vegetable spring rolls, dumplings, calamari, and edamame will hit the savory spot. The song selection has a slew of options available in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. Cocktail glasses stuffed with pieces of paper and pencils are scattered on the bar write down your song request, hand it to the bartender along with a dollar bill and hope that they have your bop of choice in their extensive song list-an enthralling experience all on its own. Up Stairs keeps it simple: a long wraparound bar, a couple of wooden tables, two microphones, two screens displaying the lyrics, lots of happy customers. No private rooms, no stage, no overactive light machines, no hipper-than-thou attitude, though Up Stairs does attract quite the downtown creative crowd-Greta Gerwig threw her 30th birthday party here, after all. It has an underground feel and a vibe that resembles the cantina scene in Star Wars mixed with that of a modern speakeasy making it the type of experience that you won’t find elsewhere in New York City. Upon entering, you’ll realize that Up Stairs isn’t your ordinary karaoke dive. Enter what looks like a weathered walkup, climb a narrow staircase toward a hanging neon “OPEN” sign, open a nondescript door, and get ready for a night to remember (or try to remember because the bartenders really know how to pour it up). Tip: Just don’t forget your ID and get denied entry like Drake did at one of our favorite no-frills, all-thrills joints.Ībove a busy bus pickup point in Chinatown is the aptly named Up Stairs Bar. Our favorite spots have something for everybody and we’re sharing them with you. (Though, shoutout to K-Town’s Gagopa where highlights include complimentary candy and Instagram-friendly Christmas light-covered hallways.) Whether you are an aspiring pop diva who requires a well-lit stage, a private room kind of crooner, or an “I don’t do karaoke” type who merely wants to nurse a cheap drink at the bar and eat a burger while strangers serenade strangers-downtown has got it all in the karaoke department. Those who believe there’s no karaoke quite like Koreatown karaoke probably don’t venture below 14th Street very much. Our favorite downtown karaoke bars have something for everybody and we’re sharing them with you.
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