At first glance it would seem like a nightmare to some people being on stage with a crowd of people eagerly awaiting your best rendition of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” But for many others, Chicago’s karaoke scene offers a chance to let loose, listen to, and sing some good (and some not so good) music.According to centerstagechicago.com, Chicago is home to more than 100 karaoke bars that open their stages nightly to the city’s hidden talent and nails-on-a-chalkboard voices alike.
“I’m not a singer by any means,” said senior Mackenzie Collins. She said she has been to a few karaoke bars since moving to Chicago for school but was never a big fan. However, this did not stop her from making her karaoke debut at The Spread in Lincoln Park. Along with two friends, Collins sang Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel.” Creating her on-stage presence changed Collins’ view of karaoke bars in general.
“I used to think that they were lame, but now I think they’re funny,” she said. “I don’t think people go there to break through [into the music business], it can be just for fun.”
Chicago resident Molly Rafferty agrees with Collins that karaoke is not all about being the best singer. “I like them [karaoke bars] because I like to sing and I think its fun to watch,” she said. “It’s the element of people embarrassing themselves and not really caring.”
Senior Michael Aranda stumbled across live band karaoke in Lincoln Park while on a hunt for drink specials at Faith and Whiskey. The bar features karaoke every Thursday night with a live band as the singer’s backdrop. “Seeing a live band gives it a better atmosphere,” Aranda said. “You feel like you’re at a concert.”
Aranda has yet to venture on stage. “I’m scared . I have a terrible voice,” he said. He chose the song “Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon. Since first discovering the live band karaoke, Aranda’s been back a few times to witness both the good and bad that karaoke offers.
Karaoke bars span across the Chicago area from Wrigleyville to Chinatown to Bucktown, but the majority of the bars require patrons to be of legal age. Sorry, underclassmen, you’ll have to wait until you’re 21, but in the meantime start preparing some songs so you’ll be a hit.
Karaoke all week long
Monday
Holiday Club (4000 N. Sheridan Road)
Monday “Karaoke A-Go-Go” and Wednesday’s “Da’ Karaoke Shin-dig”
Nearest CTA stop: Sheridan Red Line
Tuesday
Trader Todds (3216 N. Sheffield Avenue)
Karaoke every night at 8:30 p.m.
Nearest CTA stop: Belmont Red, Brown and Purple Lines
Wednesday
Friar Tucks (3010 N Broadway Street)
Karaoke Wednesday and Thursday from 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Nearest CTA stop: #36 Broadway bus or Wellington Brown Line
Thursday
Faith and Whiskey (1365 W. Fullerton Avenue)
Live band karaoke every Thursday at 10 p.m.
Nearest CTA stop: Fullerton Red, Brown and Purple Lines
Friday
Hidden Cove (5336 N. Lincoln Avenue)
Nearest CTA stop: Western Brown Line, #11 Lincoln bus
Saturday
Louie’s Pub (1659 W. North Avenue)
Karaoke Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 9 p.m.
Nearest CTA stop: Damen Blue Line, #72 North Avenue bus
Sunday
Stanley’s Kitchen and Tap (1970 N. Lincoln Avenue)
Live band karaoke??
Nearest CTA stop: #11 Lincoln, #22 Clark and #73 Armitage buses
Take a look inside the May 24 issue of The DePaulia for the top ten Singable Hits listing.