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What are Sydney's best karaoke bars? The Time Out staff name their faves

First published on 9 Jul 2010. Updated on 5 Jul 2012.

Time Out and karaoke: it’s a romance that spans the ages, ever since the staff first realised that the best way to celebrate their professional bond was through loud, drunken song. But what are the best rooms in this K-filled town? Here are our five big faves, as lived (and loved) by the Time Out Sydney team.

 

Big Echo

Sydney

Comparatively cheap booze, a sadly modest selection of songs in English. The system's the same found in most of Sydney’s k-rooms: once you have learned the rudiments, the knowledge is transferable. The rooms are clean and comfortable with cool lights, but the rooms absolutley stink of air 'freshener'. Booze-wise, it's waiter service.

Time Out Showstoppers: Rage Against the Machine’s ‘Killing in the Name’ by Advertising Executive Nicholas Chan; Meatloaf’s ‘I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)’ by Arts & Theatre Editor Darryn King; The Bangles’ ‘Eternal Flame’ by Junior Designer Ashleigh Bowring

Ding Dong Dang

Surry Hills

A post-bar alternative to clubbing with all the k-night classics and easy-to-browse song directories. Within minutes you will have an hour's worth of songs backed up. The karaoke system isn't exactly state of the art but it's simple to use and program even when blind drunk. They have themed rooms with interesting décor: eg an underwater fantasy, space odyssey. They have mirror balls and couches that you can jump on but don't be tempted to dance on the tables – they're not as sturdy as they look… 

Time Out Showstoppers: Roxette’s ‘Fading like a Flower’ by Junior Food & Drink Editor Emily Lloyd-Tait; the Backstreet Boys’ ‘Backstreet’s Back’ by Senior Designer Tom Hislop; Bruno Mars’ ‘The Lazy Song’ by Online Content Manager Shakeera Khan; ‘Minnie the Moocher’ by Joint CEO & Commercial Director Michael Rodrieguez; Ricki Lee Jones’ ‘Horses’ by contributor Alexandra Middleton

Echo Point

Sydney

Around 9,000 songs, though lacking in more up-to-date tracks. The karaoke system is very old school and the remote is in Chinese but is very easy to use once you have the hang of the three buttons that matter. The paint is peeling, the mirror balls are balding, and the aroma tells of 1,000 long, long nights but they don't seem to mind you jumping all over the knackered couches. And that's worth a few points in our book.

Time Out Showstoppers: Samantha Fox’s ‘Touch Me (I Want Your Body)’ by Digital Editor Andrew P Street, The White Stripes’ ‘Seven Nation Army’ by Associate Editor Erin Moy; Kate Bush’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Chief Food & Drink Critic Myffy Rigby

Karaoke World

Sydney

Large song selection and impressively up-to-date. You can request songs for them to download. The system's easy to use (crucial when drunk). Great to have paper song directories for browsing - we wish all venues had this. Good selection of beer, wine and spirits, including sake and cocktails. Food Crisps, spring rolls, dim sum, nachos - none of which looked very appealing.

Time Out Showstoppers: Rupert Holmes’ ‘Escape (The Pina Colada Song)’ by Junior Listings Editor Jordan Kretchmer; the Spice Girls’ ‘Stop’ by Advertising Executive Elise Bucholtz; Johnny Cash’s ‘A Boy Named Sue’ by Advertising Executive Matthew Moloney; The B-52s ‘Love Shack’ by Editor Joel Meares

Mizuya

Sydney

They constantly update their system so that it has all the latest songs. They have 100,000 songs to choose from - hence no paper song directory. The karaoke system They use a pretty standard system so karaoke aficionados will pick it up instantly.They have a full bar with over 200 drinks on order– plus Asahi in mini kegs! The have a full Japanese restaurant and you can order any dish from the touch-screen system in the room. It's decent value in a big group with plenty of tasty things on sticks.

Time Out Showstoppers: Nena’s ’99 Luftballoons’ (in the original German) by Group Editor Nick Dent; Soft Cell’s ‘Tainted Love’ by Advertising Sales Manager Andrea Harrington; Dolly Parton’s ‘9 to 5’ by contributor Emma Joyce
By Time Out Sydney editors   |  
 

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