Summary: Sun-Tues get a free drink if you can score a 92 on your song. Attracts really talented singers in the bar. Rooms pack up on the weekends. Nice aps menu from Japanese place downstairs.
Atmosphere: This is my local bar and it has that feel. It's dark and chilled out. The rooms are in reasonably good condition. Most poeple do call in advance as there are a limited number.
The Crowd: While there is a fairly talented core group of regulars, though I'm always amazed by the walk ins. There are a fair number of out-of-towners that come in from the local hotels after a show and want to sing the night away. I've met more than 1 professional singer here and also some post-Broadway production folk. Age range is typically 30+, with a fair number of folks in their 40's.
The Service: They are really sweet people. Tip your bartenders well. They still have to deal with song entry and not everyone tips them for their help on that.
Song selection: Sadly, the selection is average. I wish they would upgrade to more songs. Not quite sure what that might take. Songs are $1.50 each.
The Food: The menu is an abbreviated version that which is offered downstair. The Gyozo and the Karage is fantastic. I's also recommend the potato salad and the chicken yaki, though the later is a little on the small side.
Key Notes: Sunday through Tuesday, you get a free drink if you can get a score of 92 or above. The machine will rate you on 3 criteria, which I believe translate to: 1) Be on key at what the song believes is the right tempo 2) Groove (sliding into and out of a note) 3) Vibrato The regulars have more or less figured out what songs they get a 92 on, which is what makes the place attract so many fairly good singers. Typically, they get their 92 and then sing a few songs until they are thirsty again.
We passed by this spot on a Wednesday night, after a work event on the upper east side. We were looking for a place to drink and hang out, and karaoke is a favorite past time of my friends, so we decided to check it out. We originally went upstairs, and with the loud boisterous crowd, went downstairs to sit instead. We didn't want to order food, so had a drink and eventually wandered back upstairs. I ordered a Yamato; sake and blue curaçao, I love blue! We also got a pint for the group, and a few beers as well. The drinks are reasonably priced- $8-10 each. The only drawback is the space; people were pushing past us to get to the bar and it was PACKED. There are only 2/3 karaoke screens, and everyone is yelling over each other to sing- it's ridiculous. Good for cheap drinks to start the night off, but if you want a better atmosphere sit at one of the tables downstairs instead.
Summary: Sun-Tues get a free drink if you can score a 92 on your song. Attracts really talented singers in the bar. Rooms pack up on the weekends. Nice aps menu from Japanese place downstairs.
Atmosphere: This is my local bar and it has that feel. It's dark and chilled out. The rooms are in reasonably good condition. Most poeple do call in advance as there are a limited number.
The Crowd: While there is a fairly talented core group of regulars, though I'm always amazed by the walk ins. There are a fair number of out-of-towners that come in from the local hotels after a show and want to sing the night away. I've met more than 1 professional singer here and also some post-Broadway production folk. Age range is typically 30+, with a fair number of folks in their 40's.
The Service: They are really sweet people. Tip your bartenders well. They still have to deal with song entry and not everyone tips them for their help on that.
Song selection: Sadly, the selection is average. I wish they would upgrade to more songs. Not quite sure what that might take. Songs are $1.50 each.
The Food:
The menu is an abbreviated version that which is offered downstair. The Gyozo and the Karage is fantastic. I's also recommend the potato salad and the chicken yaki, though the later is a little on the small side.
Key Notes:
Sunday through Tuesday, you get a free drink if you can get a score of 92 or above. The machine will rate you on 3 criteria, which I believe translate to:
1) Be on key at what the song believes is the right tempo
2) Groove (sliding into and out of a note)
3) Vibrato
The regulars have more or less figured out what songs they get a 92 on, which is what makes the place attract so many fairly good singers. Typically, they get their 92 and then sing a few songs until they are thirsty again.
We passed by this spot on a Wednesday night, after a work event on the upper east side. We were looking for a place to drink and hang out, and karaoke is a favorite past time of my friends, so we decided to check it out. We originally went upstairs, and with the loud boisterous crowd, went downstairs to sit instead. We didn't want to order food, so had a drink and eventually wandered back upstairs. I ordered a Yamato; sake and blue curaçao, I love blue! We also got a pint for the group, and a few beers as well. The drinks are reasonably priced- $8-10 each. The only drawback is the space; people were pushing past us to get to the bar and it was PACKED. There are only 2/3 karaoke screens, and everyone is yelling over each other to sing- it's ridiculous. Good for cheap drinks to start the night off, but if you want a better atmosphere sit at one of the tables downstairs instead.