Karaoke has become a beloved pastime for many, allowing people to let loose and sing their hearts out with friends and strangers alike. It’s something I love and do on a regular basis. Vancouver is home to a vibrant karaoke scene, with a variety of bars and lounges offering karaoke nights throughout the week. In this article, we will explore some of the top karaoke spots in Vancouver, from intimate lounges to lively bars.
The Royal Canadian Legion
The Royal Canadian Legion is located in the heart of downtown Vancouver and is a popular spot for karaoke lovers. With a welcoming atmosphere and affordable drink prices, the legion attracts a diverse crowd of locals and tourists alike. Karaoke nights take place every Friday and Saturday from 8pm to midnight, and the legion also hosts special karaoke events throughout the year. With a wide selection of songs to choose from and a supportive crowd, the Royal Canadian Legion is a great spot for both beginners and experienced karaoke singers.
The Cobalt
The Cobalt is a trendy bar located in the Strathcona neighborhood of Vancouver. While not exclusively a karaoke spot, the Cobalt offers karaoke nights every Tuesday from 9pm to 1am. With a lively atmosphere and a great selection of drinks, the Cobalt is a popular spot for young adults and college students. The bar also hosts a variety of live music events throughout the week, making it a great spot for music lovers of all kinds.
Happier than ever, sung by me live at the cobalt Karaoke night here in Vancouver pic.twitter.com/BKOE0nXRCx
— Josh W; Constantly (@constantlyjosh) February 21, 2023
The Belmont Bar
The Belmont Bar is a sleek and stylish lounge located in the heart of Vancouver’s entertainment district. With a large stage and top-of-the-line sound system, the Belmont Bar offers a high-quality karaoke experience for singers of all skill levels. Karaoke nights take place every Tuesday from 9pm to 1am, and the lounge also offers a variety of drink specials and appetizers. With its modern decor and upscale atmosphere, the Belmont Bar is a great spot for a night out with friends or a special occasion.
The Shameful Tiki Room
The Shameful Tiki Room is a unique and exotic bar located in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood. With its tropical decor and tiki-inspired cocktails, the Shameful Tiki Room offers a fun and immersive experience for patrons. While not exclusively a karaoke spot, the bar offers karaoke nights every Monday from 9pm to 1am. With a large selection of songs to choose from and an enthusiastic crowd, the Shameful Tiki Room is a great spot for a memorable karaoke experience.
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The Metropole Community Pub
The Metropole Community Pub is a cozy and welcoming bar located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside neighborhood. With a focus on community and inclusivity, the Metropole offers a warm and friendly atmosphere for patrons. Karaoke nights take place every Wednesday from 9pm to 1am, and the bar also offers a variety of other events and specials throughout the week. The Metropole is a good choice for a fun and laid-back karaoke night.
The Fountainhead Pub
The Fountainhead Pub is a lively and popular spot located in Vancouver’s West End neighborhood on Davie street. With a spacious patio and a wide selection of beers on tap, the Fountainhead is an excellent place for a casual night out. Karaoke nights take place every Monday from 8pm to 12am, and the bar also offers a variety of other events and specials throughout the week. With its friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere, the Fountainhead is a great spot to sing your heart out and make new friends. While I’ve never actually done karaoke there, I have had food on its patio and inside and can confirm it’s a good place for hanging out.
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The Fox Cabaret
The Fox Cabaret is a stylish and retro-inspired venue located in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood. With a variety of live music events, DJ nights, and dance parties throughout the week. I’ve been there during the week for dancing and it’s a cool little club, there’s a stage at the front you can dance on and the crowd was very energetic. Karaoke there isn’t a regular thing but they do feature karaoke as one of the events once in a while, and a few years back they even had a full live band backing their karaoke nights. Making it one of the few if not only places that provide a full live band to go with the ones singing on stage.
Numbers Cabaret
One of my personal favourites and a place I went to regularly before school started, Numbers Cabaret is another great option on Davie Street. Karaoke nights are on Sundays from 10pm to 3am and one of the reasons I love this place is that the crowd is always full of energy. It’s definitely the kind of atmosphere I vibe with. The host, Lola, is lovely as well. While it can get pretty busy, especially in the summer, that’s how it is with pretty much any place offering karaoke in Vancouver. Long wait times are a given. But what sets Numbers Cabaret apart from some of the other venues is that when you are not singing, you can join the crowd on the dance floor who are dancing to those singing on stage. They even have a pole to the side of the stairs and let me just say that I’ve definitely seen some passionate things there.
The way the place is set up makes this scenario possible by having tables right next to the stage on both sides, leaving the middle open as a dance floor. This way, even if you’re sitting at one of the tables you can still be right next to all the action and feel the vibes. There’s a small flight of stairs leading up to an elevated area with more tables and a bar. It’s not quite a separate floor and still remains accessible enough so that while up there, you can see everything happening on the lower area and stage.
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Great Bear Pub
Another place I like and one that’s located closer to where I live is Great Bear Pub in Burnaby. If Vancouver is a bit far and you are looking for karaoke spots in or near Burnaby, do make it an option. Great Bear Pub has karaoke nights three nights a week, Thursdays from 9pm to 1am, Saturdays from 9pm to 1am and Sundays from 8pm to 12am. Out of all the places listed, Great Bear Pub is the one that has karaoke on a most frequent basis.
Three things I like about it is there is a large selection of songs, I can find some songs that I might not be able to at other venues and the sound system is good. It features one of the better sound systems I’ve come across, making it a good choice for those who are picky about sound quality. Lastly, this pub is very spacious, there’s a pool table at the back and there are lots of tables throughout, it’s definitely one of the biggest places on this list so even on a crowded night, you are less likely to feel claustrophobic.
If you love karaoke and are looking for new places to check out or just want to get into the scene, hopefully this article sets you in the right direction and offers some useful insights. I’ve always believed singing is good for the body and soul and music is one of my biggest hobbies/outlets. The one great thing about karaoke is that it’s fun, no matter how you sound, singers of all levels can enjoy themselves. So sing your heart out Vancouverites.