Karaoke entertainment in Asia
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A
Luxury Noraebang
Sing along with the video songs in a range of mostly palatial rooms in this new breed of noraebang, open all night and providing a luxurious setting for acting out those rock-star fantasies. Check out the photos of the room styles before paying. The more expensive rooms can take 10 people.
reviewed
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B
Pasela
Pasela boasts decor that is a cut above the other yodelling parlours, as well as six floors of karaoke rooms including swanky VIP suites. There's an extensive selection of Western songs, wine and sweets on the menu, and a decent Mexican bar-restaurant in the basement. From 5pm to 7pm it's karaoke happy hour – ¥400, including one drink.
reviewed
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Red Box
One place where you can see all the cultural forces behind karaoke in overdrive is Red Box. Ray Charles, Kylie and Prince are all represented on the vast playlist at this slick place. There are public and private spaces for you to belt out your tunes. Entrance fees (to P500) include drinks, food and music. Even if you’re only passing by, check out the posted lists of the most requested songs.
reviewed
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C
Jumbo Karaoke Hiroba
Expats love this place as it’s in the same building as the Pig & Whistle – and more than one drunken evening has started at the Pig and moved on to this place! There’s a decent selection of English songs and the price includes all drinks. There’s also a Sanjō Kawaramachi branch in Downtown Kyoto.
reviewed
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D
Colors
Colors is a small venue that's big on live music. The bartenders and some locals will treat you like a long-lost cousin, and if you turn up early enough, you may get the chance to perform some karaoke with live backing. Bands play nightly until 02:00. If you're looking for cheap drinks, a chat with Surabayans and some quality live music, don't pass this place up.
reviewed
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E
Neway
Karaoke bars are everywhere in KL but, like elsewhere in Southeast Asia, some have a seedy side. One place you'll get no funny business is Neway, a futuristic karaoke complex in Berjaya Times Square that attracts hordes of teenagers and whole families at weekends. The price for sharing the gift of song (ahem) varies depending on the time of day.
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F
Smash Hits
You're spoilt for choice at Smash Hits, with thousands of international songs to choose from. There's no time limit, and entry includes two drinks.
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Western Heaven
Making a neon splash in the centre of town, the Youyilu Bar Street is dotted with karaoke parlours and bars, including Western Heaven where you can hide away in the dark corners of its all-wood interior, play darts or nod off to tame sounds from live music acts.
reviewed
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G
Bar Alcoholiday
You can hear the karaoke wails as you approach this place, in a building crammed full of bars. Chie will be happy to serve you, particularly between 21:00 and 22:00, when drinks are ¥100 off. Look for the bright red Casa Blanca sign outside.
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H
Karaoke-Kan
This branch of a generic national karaoke chain has rooms on the 6th floor that were used as a location in the film Lost in Translation. Excellent discounts are available to customers during weekday mornings and afternoons.
reviewed
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Library
This is a tiny, stand-up-comedy and karaoke bar that draws a mixed gay/straight crowd. Be warned: this place can be high on the sleaze factor but if that doesn't bother you, get on the mike and sing to your sweetheart of the night.
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J
Shidax Village
Topped by a massive red neon sign, Shidax Shibuya has about 90 private karaoke rooms, some of which are barrier-free. Others are specially designed for groups of up to 40 people, children (with playroom slides), and even dogs.
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Jia Music, Food & Drinks
Korean restaurants, karaoke bars and coffee shops line the brightly lit (if slightly seedy) Xita Jie. A more upscale choice is Jia Music, Food & Drinks , a stylish lounge in the same building as the Golden Triangle Hotel.
reviewed
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K
Lovenet
If you're going for a more unique, upmarket experience, you can try one of the themed rooms at Lovenet – one even has a hot tub from which you can warble (don't worry, the microphones are waterproof).
reviewed
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L
Encore Café
Very popular with holidaying Thais, this live-music club is a fun and modern spot. It has pool tables and special themed evenings – from ladies’ night to speed pool. Travellers like the Tex-Mex pub food.
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M
Soho Bar
The young and fashionable sway to covers belted out by professional karaoke singers perched on podiums throughout the bar. Pimped-out private KTV rooms are available but must be booked in advance.
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Sasando Hotel
Kupang's nightspots are uniformly seedy; most are little more than sleazy karaoke bars. Surya, 6km east of town on the beach, and the bar at the Sasando Hotel are dark places fitting this bill.
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Surya
Kupang's nightspots are uniformly seedy; most are little more than sleazy karaoke bars. Surya, 6km east of town on the beach, and the bar at the Sasando Hotel are dark places fitting this bill.
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Blue Boy
The workhorse of the KL gay scene just keeps on going. Come before 11pm if you wish to sing karaoke with the winking lady boys. Later it gets packed with rent boys and their admirers.
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O
Opera House Noraebang
Sing as loud as you want in these basement karaoke rooms, which feature red seats, two microphones, a bank of four screens, a tambourine, a disco light and hundreds of English songs.
reviewed
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P
Partyworld
If you want to party it up in true Chinese style, then karaoke should top your list of night-time activities. This monster venue has plenty of English-language songs available.
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Q
Melody
This karaoke bar has a selection of English-language tunes as well as snacks and drinks. If you’re lucky, the staff might help you out with some backing vocals.
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Blue Note
Although not quite as popular as it once was, this singalong-style bar has a karaoke list including alt-rock anthems, alongside plenty of the usual cheesy hits.
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R
Truc Ha 2
This lush garden café hidden off a inner city laneway is an oasis of calm during the day - less so at night when the karaoke starts up.
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AAJ Bar
A legendary second-floor dive where locals and expats alike cram the close quarters for hot music, bad karaoke and conflict over rugby.
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