No matter where you are in the world, there is bound to be a karaoke bar in any city.
Karaoke is actually derived from the Japanese words “kara” and “oke”, which essentially means “empty orchestra” when put together. Since karaoke involves singing with an instrumental or backing track with no vocals from the singer, the word Japanese word, “karaoke” makes perfect sense.
The origin of karaoke bars
While there are multiple origin stories on how karaoke came about, the only person who can truly take credit for it is Daisuke Inoue. In 1999, Inoue was named as the creator of karaoke and one of the most influential Asians of the 20th century by Time Magazine because of the conception of karaoke culture and his influence on it.
During the early days of its inception, karaoke was a common custom amongst the Japanese people to provide musical entertainment for guests during dinner parties and functions. Not only was Inoue the ‘father of karaoke’, but he also performed often at Utagoe coffeehouses. In 1971, Daisuke Inoue created the first karaoke machine in response to people’s requests for private recordings of his performances. What made these recordings so unique during that time was that people who visited Utagoe coffeehouses often can sing along to the music even when Inoue wasn’t around.
Although Inoue was the known creator of the karaoke machine, he never actually made any money out of it. Since Inoue failed to take a patent on his invention, various audio companies claimed that the idea came from them. However, in 1971, Filipino entrepreneur Robert del Rosario patented the first karaoke machine built by Inoue and developed the Karaoke Sing-Along System in 1975, that all of us are most familiar with in this day and age.
In all fairness, Filipinos have a long-standing history of enjoying “minus-one singalong tracks”, which have essentially brought about such innovations to japan in the 1960s.
The evolution of karaoke
One of the biggest cultural changes in karaoke culture is the involvement of the singers. Typically, karaoke machines were commonly placed in hotels and bars where anyone is welcome to sing in front of an audience, mostly amongst strangers. Karaoke boxes and machines were also considered costly during that time, making it a luxury for most people to have.
Today, karaoke machines are far more affordable and easily accessible and singers can commonly sing in smaller crowds that usually consist of just their close friends or acquaintances. Nowadays, karaoke can either be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home through a karaoke box or at a karaoke bar as a form of entertainment for events and celebrations.
Why do people love karaoke so much?
It’s a great way to unwind and relax
Karaoke is actually known to relieve stress and is a great way to unwind for most people. Activities such as singing at a karaoke bar with the company of your friends can release endorphins in your brain, which then triggers a positive feeling throughout your body. Singing also generally makes people happy, which leads to decreased stress levels in your body as well.
At the same time, singing along to a song can also slow your heart rate and allow you to breathe properly, which can bring temporary relief for people with anxiety or breathing issues.
It improves your confidence
There’s no way to escape the crowd when having a karaoke session with your friends, and it takes a lot of courage to stand up in front of a crowd and sing your heart out. This is why singing at karaoke bars is a great way to boost your confidence.
It can also be seen as a safe space, where there’s no judgement on whether you sound good or not. Rest assured, you’ll feel your confidence and self-esteem improve in no time.
Karaoke brings people together
Did you know that there’s actually a psychological appeal associated with karaoke? It is a known fact that karaoke is a great way to bond with your friends and family, but also with strangers whom you haven’t even met before. On a 2016 podcast called Karaoke Theory hosted by Justine Falcone, she explores the intricacies and pop psychology of the singalong recreation and explains how karaoke is more than just singing along to the music.
Karaoke is a great way to bond without formalities. It’s no secret that music has the power to evoke emotional responses, but it also has the power to create connections with people as well. That’s why some friendships are birthed in karaoke bars!
It’s fun!
Regardless of whether you’re a professional singer with perfect pitch or a bathroom singer who can barely sing, karaoke is still a fun experience nonetheless. The whole point of karaoke is that it’s fun — period. It doesn’t matter if you’re not in tune with the pitch or the tempo. All that matters is that you’re having the best time.
Karaoke Bar |
Party World KTV |
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Speciality |
Party World KTV rooms are spacious and nicely-decorated; they are equipped with top-notch sound systems, large LCD screens, and LED warm lighting. Their large rooms can easily accommodate a crowd of 60, which makes them perfect for 3-generation family gatherings or huge birthday bashes. |
| Pricing |
From $12+/pax for 2 hours (Note: price varies at different outlets) |
|
Website |
https://www.partyworldktv.com.sg/ |
| Address |
Tanjong Pagar, Mount Faber, Liang Court, Bukit Batok & Woodlands |
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Telephone |
Varies depending on the outlet |
| Operating Hours |
Sunday: 3pm to 3am Monday to Thursday: 4pm to 3am Friday to Saturday: 4pm to 5am |
Karaoke Bar |
Ziggy’s |
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Speciality |
ZIGGY’S presents a classy take on traditional karaoke by focusing on quality and pairing it with warm, old-school smart service, refined and sophisticated food and drink offering and stylishly designed private rooms of luxury, ease, and comfort. Combined with a state-of-the-art karaoke server, individually-tuned professional quality audio systems and a bunch of costumes, fancy dress and props and you have the perfect place for a grown-up karaoke night. |
| Pricing |
Deluxe Room: from $60 (hourly, max 12 pax) | Premium Room: from $350 (hourly, max 40 pax) |
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Website |
https://www.ziggys.com.sg/ |
| Address |
#01-27 Robertson Walk, 11 Unity Street |
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Telephone |
6235 5400 |
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Operating Hours |
5pm to 3am daily |
Karaoke Bar |
Ganso Manekineko |
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Speciality |
The flagship Ganso Manekineko looks like its own restaurant with a buffet spread on full glorious display, a mini sushi/sashimi bar and an ice-cream counter. Featuring an ever-changing menu, the package entitles you to two hours of singing with mouth-watering main courses and delectable desserts, making this one of the best karaoke bars in Singapore for buffet lovers! Additionally, Ganso Manekineko has more than 80 colourfully decorated rooms to host your last-minute karaoke plans. |
| Pricing |
Starts from $13 (pax, 2 hours) | from $38 (pax, 2 hours with buffet access) |
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Website |
https://www.koshidaka.com.sg/outlet/ganso-manekineko-orchard-cineleisure/ |
| Address |
#08-01 Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, 8 Grange Road |
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Telephone |
6756 3113 |
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Operating Hours |
11am to 6am daily |
Karaoke Bar |
Teo Heng KTV |
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Speciality |
A household name among karaoke fans, Teo Heng KTV is one of the best karaoke bars in Singapore for all ages! With no hidden costs, the ability to bring in your own food and drinks (except alcohol) and a robust sound system, it’s of little surprise why many regulars make reservations in advance to avoid disappointment Also, its clean, neat, and bright-themed design plays an important role in providing a pleasant and safe-feeling ambience. |
| Pricing |
From $18 (3 hours) |
|
Website |
https://ktvteoheng.com.sg/ |
| Address |
Various locations islandwide |
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Telephone |
63456513 / 64402794 |
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Operating Hours |
Monday to Friday: 1pm to 1am |
Karaoke Bar |
Tang Music Box |
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Speciality |
Frequented by many local TV personalities and singers, Tang Music Box has a wide selection of Chinese favourites and is up to date with the latest pop hits. But one of this karaoke bar’s greatest features is their wide range of snacks. This karaoke bar has a unique pricing structure, charging you a minimum minimart fee based on the size of your selected room. From popular potato chip brands to unique Japanese beverages, it’s definitely in the running for best karaoke bars in Singapore for snack variety. |
| Pricing |
From $60 (3 hours, includes mini-mart credits) |
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Website |
https://www.tangmusicbox.com.sg/ |
| Address |
#02-03/04 The Foundry, 3B River Valley Rd |
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Telephone |
6338 6659 / 6338 0081 |
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Operating Hours |
Monday to Thursday: 2pm to 4am Friday to Saturday: 2pm to 6am Sunday: 1pm to 3am |
Karaoke Bar |
HaveFun Karaoke |
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Speciality |
Featuring 28 themed rooms like Old Cinema, Street Racing and an All Pink Palace, HaveFun sets the mood for any occasion. Carrying an extensive selection of drinking games and electronic board games to instantly spice up your singing sesh, this spot definitely lives up to its moniker. The popular game picks include Drinking Roulette and a high tech version of Beer Pong. |
| Pricing |
from $22/ pax (3 hours) |
|
Website |
https://www.havefunkaraoke.com/ |
| Address |
Bugis Cube & Somerset@313 |
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Telephone |
6837 0591 (Bugis) / 6513 3230 (Somerset) |
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Operating Hours |
12pm to 3am daily (Bugis) / 12pm to 5:30am (Somerset) |
Karaoke Bar |
Grandlink Karaoke |
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Speciality |
Torn between singing karaoke and playing billiards? Why not check out Grandlink Karaoke and do both! While not widely considered as one of the best karaoke bars in Singapore, the sheer scale of entertainment options here is incredible. From the latest video game consoles and arcade cabinets to pool tables, dart boards and mahjong room, there’s definitely something for everyone here. |
| Pricing |
Starts from $12 (pax, 1 hour) |
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Website |
https://www.facebook.com/fiftycentskaraoke/ |
| Address |
Grandlink Square, 511 Guillemard Road, #B1-02 |
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Telephone |
8114 1885 |
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Operating Hours |
Open 24 hours daily |
Karaoke Bar |
Ten Dollar Club KTV |
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Speciality |
Ten Dollar Club KTV sure stays true to its name. Unlike many other KTVs, you just have to pay $10 per person to enjoy 3 hours of non-stop singing, no matter the day or time. With that, you’re granted access to an extensive library of pop songs and free-flow drinks. You can also challenge your friends to pool at $2 per game if you wanna take a break from singing. |
| Pricing |
$10/pax for 3 hours |
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Website |
http://tendollarclub.com.sg/ |
| Address |
Balestier, Chinatown & Downtown East |
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Telephone |
Varies depending on the outlet |
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Operating Hours |
2pm to 1:30am daily |
Karaoke Bar |
K Suites Karaoke |
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Speciality |
K Suites is a karaoke concept by Koshidaka Singapore Pte Ltd, the first boutique karaoke in Singapore. Gearing towards a brand new experience, their aim is to offer karaoke lovers an entertainment option with unparalleled standards of service, audio and visual quality. This place is perfect for more grown-up parties. With its sleek interiors, comfy couches and modern lighting, it could pass itself off as a swanky hotel lobby. Their VIP rooms are ideal for hosting a large corporate bonding session for 20-80 pax, decked out with an island bar, a pool table, multiple screen set-up and a concierge service. |
| Pricing |
Normal Rooms: from $65 (hourly) | VIP Rooms: minimum spend of $1000 (7 hours) |
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Website |
https://www.koshidaka.com.sg/k-suites/ |
| Address |
#02-01 Orchard Parade Hotel, 1 Tanglin Road |
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Telephone |
6354 3113 |
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Operating Hours |
Monday to Friday: 12pm to 3am Saturday to Sunday: 12pm to 4am |
Karaoke Bar |
Voicebooth KTV |
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Speciality |
Conveniently located at The Cathay, Voicebooth features one of the latest Korean karaoke systems right here in Singapore. It arguably houses the widest selection of K-pop songs, spanning from the big names like Psy and Girls’ Generation to newer the newer groups like BlackPink or JBJ. The best part about Voicebooth is their flexible pricing plan. At $1 per song, it’s ideal for a quick belting session during lunch or after school. After 6pm, rooms are available in hourly bookings at $20 per room |
| Pricing |
from $1 (per song), from $10 (hourly) |
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Website |
https://www.voiceboothktv.com/ |
| Address |
#03-14/15/16 The Cathay, 2 Handy Road |
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Telephone |
8112 0480 |
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Operating Hours |
Sunday to Thursday: 12pm to 10pm Friday and Saturday: 12pm to 1am |
Karaoke Bar |
Cash Studio Family Karaoke Bar |
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Speciality |
If you are looking for top-charting songs or classic oldie hits, Cash Studio has it all. But what’s more interesting about Cash Studio is that it’s known amongst fans of Japanese and Malay music for having a good assortment of J-pop, J-rock and uber sentimental Malay music in its mix. The lounges themselves are spacious and can accommodate up to 15 pax – so feel free to get the entire extended family down. |
| Pricing |
From $30 (3 hours) |
|
Website |
https://cashstudio.com.sg/ |
| Address |
Various outlets islandwide |
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Telephone |
6735 6087 |
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Operating Hours |
12pm to 6am daily |
Karaoke Bar |
Playlist KTV |
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Speciality |
The biggest problem for some is that even the best karaoke bars in Singapore impose a minimum-people-per-room rule. Thankfully, Playlist caters for these situations as you only need two people to book a private room. You can also take advantage of Playlist’s song selection system. Instead of navigating through a cumbersome touchscreen menu, you can conveniently choose your preferred songs on their website by connecting to the free Wi-Fi. |
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Website |
https://www.facebook.com/playlistktvsg/ |
| Address | Sembawang & Clementi |
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Telephone |
8686 6617 |
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Operating Hours |
Sunday to Thursday: 1pm to 1am |
Karaoke Bar |
K.STAR Karaoke |
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Speciality |
K.Star is Singapore’s first-ever themed karaoke bar. While the usual karaoke simply gives you a space to sing, they take it a notch higher with our novel concept featuring fun customizable themed rooms catering to each and every occasion you can think about. With 25 unique rooms that provide something eye-catching or adorable, you’ll definitely manage to snap some Instagram-worthy photos here. |
| Pricing | From $18 (per hour) |
|
Website |
https://www.kstar.com.sg/ |
| Address | Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, #05-01 |
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Telephone |
6634 2801 |
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Operating Hours |
Monday to Thursday: 12pm to 3pm Friday: 12pm to 5pm Saturday to Sunday: 1pm to 5pm |
Karaoke Bar |
K-Garden Family KTV |
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Speciality |
The most attractive deal at K-Garden Family KTV is their ‘Sing Till U Drop’ promotion, available on weekdays from 2pm to 8pm. At only $10 nett per pax, you’re entitled to 6 hours of singing, plus a free drink or beer. Songs are updated weekly, so you’re bound to find the latest hits that have been stuck in your head all week. |
| Pricing | From $10 nett/pax for 6 hours |
|
Website |
https://www.facebook.com/Kgardenktv/ |
| Address | 18 Maju Avenue |
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Telephone |
6287 7256 |
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Operating Hours |
Sunday to Thursday: 2pm to 1am Friday to Saturday: 2pm to 3am |
Karaoke Bar |
Skinny’s Lounge |
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Speciality |
At the end of Boat Quay, you’ll find an American bar and KTV joint Skinny’s. Deeper inside the darkened bar, a KTV room awaits. A group minimum spend of $200 secures you the whole room for an hour – order the Pimm’s Cup punch ($200), served out of a repurposed Carlsberg beer dispenser, when in doubt. |
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Website |
https://www.facebook.com/drinkskinnys/ |
| Address | 82 Boat Quay |
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Telephone |
9653 8886 |
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Operating Hours |
Monday to Friday: 5pm to 3am Saturday: 7pm to 4am |
Karaoke Bar |
Aviary KTV (The Chevrons) |
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Speciality |
Aviary KTV is the karaoke haven that every NSF wished they didn’t have to share. Nestled in The Chevrons, a country club for full-time NSmen, this KTV is equipped with an arsenal of 60,000 songs in 15 languages. Equipped with a superior sound system and a comprehensive CD library of over 60,000 songs in 15 languages, Aviary KTV is an ideal venue for birthday celebrations, company parties, or simple get-togethers. |
| Pricing |
From $13/hour (8 pax, minimum 2 hours) |
|
Website |
https://www.chevrons.org.sg/Facilities/Entertainment/Aviary-KTV |
| Address | 48 Boon Lay Way, The Chevrons |
|
Telephone |
6668 8841 |
|
Operating Hours |
Monday to Thursday: 5pm to 1am Friday: 2pm to 3am Saturday: 2pm to 3am Sunday: 2pm to 1am |
Editor’s Note:
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FAQs
Why do people love karaoke so much?
– It’s a great way to unwind and relax
– Brings people together
