Karaoke Bars in Chicago

There are countless karaoke bars in Chicago. After all, how hard is it for a neighborhood tap to throw a cheap karaoke machine in the corner? But bars that specialize in the fine art of embarrassing yourself in front of friends and strangers is a whole different story. Some Chicago karaoke bars have made themselves destinations for those who can sing well and those who can sing well when drunk (a.k.a. those who cannot sing well).

Of course, some major karaoke aficionados are proponents of hiring private rooms for their groups in the many Korean karaoke parlors hidden throughout Albany Park and North Park. But less secret places feature singing in front of the masses, subject to the cheers and boos of whatever riff-raff stumbles in. Tiki bar Trader Todd’s in Lakeview has long been a place for bachelorette parties and post-game Cubs fans to belt out Journey, while hipsters with delicate musical sensibilities have their own place for karaoke nights at divey Louie’s in Wicker Park – and it’s good to know that hipsters’ sense of irony also allows for Journey.

For those with actual talent, Wicker Park’s Piece, which also serves a mean slice of pizza, has live-band karaoke, allowing wannabe rock stars to play lead singer. Brave off-key sorts would have better luck trying traditional karaoke at Lincoln Square spots like Hidden Cove and Lincoln Karaoke, where a motley crew of characters will forgive bad ears and bad taste.

Whether you want to croon because you consider yourself the next American Idol or because you want to belt out “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” with your gang, Chicago karaoke bars that focus on this ancient Japanese tradition will undoubtedly have the song you’re drunkenly dying to sing.