ATXGuide
The Best Karaoke Bars In Austin
photo credit: Nicolai McCrary
Give humans some alcohol and a bit of music, and you’re bound to hear some singing. Trips to a karaoke bar usually happen for one of two reasons—you’re at a birthday party, or it’s after midnight, you’ve had one too many shots of tequila, and you can’t rest until someone hears your off-key rendition of “Dancing Queen.” Whether you’re a seasoned veteran looking to get up on stage and share your talents with the world, or you just think you are after a few drinks, these are our favorite bars where you can sing (almost) any night of the week.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Nicolai McCrary
Ego’s has been an Austin institution for over 40 years now, and it’s probably one of the few remaining spots on South Congress Avenue where you won’t spend $6 (or more) for a Lone Star. Ego’s is open every night, with karaoke from 8pm-2am. They’ve also spent those last four decades building up a big fan base, so don’t be surprised to see the place jam-packed. There’s only one main karaoke stage, so come ready to show off what you’ve been practicing in the shower.
Maybe you need a little bit of time to warm up your vocal cords before getting on stage and impressing a crowd with “Eat It” by Weird Al. The Common Interest is one of those rare spots that offers both private rooms and a public stage. The main stage kicks off around 8pm (a little earlier on Fridays), but private rooms are available starting when the bar opens for $30 per hour. There’s also a kitchen with classic pub foods (we really like the fries here) and a full bar where you can get jello shots in syringes.
photo credit: Nicolai McCrary
There’s something euphoric about the combination of Korean fried chicken and karaoke at K-Pub. Maybe it’s all the soju that accompanies it, or maybe the spice helps loosen our inhibitions enough to finally hit those high notes. This karaoke bar is right at the border between North Austin and Cedar Park, (next door to Interstellar Barbecue), and it’s home to some of the crispiest poultry in town. Grab a private room (rates start at $20 per hour), then order from a large menu of Korean pub classics, including corn cheese, bulgogi fries, galbi, and, of course, fried chicken. You can even get a tower of beer to go with it all.
photo credit: Nicolai McCrary
You probably know Outer Heaven as a great spot for dancing into the wee hours of the morning. And on the weekends, that’s the primary function, where things pick up around midnight. But show up during the week and you’ll be able to belt out your favorite karaoke hits to a packed room. Just don’t expect an early night—the bar opens its doors around 9pm.
This feels like a quintessential neighborhood karaoke joint you’d expect to see in a sitcom. Everyone inside looks like a regular who’s playing darts or pool to pass the time until nightly public karaoke kicks off around 9pm. It’s located in a small strip mall in North Austin, and while they don’t serve food, they’re also right next door to Double Dave’s where you can order a dozen pepperoni rolls and bring them to the bar.
A lot of people go to Fairweather Cider without ever realizing that karaoke is an option. In the back corner of the bar, there’s a door that looks like it should take you to a storage closet. Instead, it leads to a private room where you can sing your heart out with a dozen of your closest friends (or drunk new acquaintances). There’s only one room (for $20 per hour), so make a reservation in advance to secure your spot. Then grab a glass or a porron full of Cydersport cider and let the music take over.
Most people probably know of The Highball as “that bar attached to the Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar,” but we think that they deserve some credit for doing a lot of things well, most notably, karaoke. There are seven different rooms—each with a different theme and capacity—so whether you want to sing “Starman” in a space-themed room, or belt out “Highway To Hell” in a 22-person party room that looks like a satanic altar, all you need to do is make a reservation.
The main draw at Holey Moley in East Austin is the 27-hole indoor mini-golf course that’s set around a bar. But when your putting arm eventually gets tired—or you just want karaoke closer to Downtown—Holey Moley has a few private rooms that can be booked in advance. Just keep in mind that you’ll be paying a hefty Downtown premium here, with rooms starting at $80 per hour.
Punch Bowl Social has a few locations in Austin—and even more around the country—so there’s a decent chance you’re already familiar with the concept. It’s basically an adult theme park, with mini golf, shuffleboard, bowling, ping pong, and, of course, karaoke. There’s not much charm to the place, but it gets the job done when you need a convenient spot to meet with access to activities for just about everybody. Rates start at $40 per hour.
