If there was one thing firmly off the agenda during the pandemic, it was karaoke. Now, with restrictions lifted - and Covid protocols in place - we can get back to belting out the hits with our mates. Here’s our guide to the best places to book for karaoke in London, where the food’s as good as the song list.
BAO Borough
Borough - 13 Stoney St, London SE1 9AD
The private KTV room at BAO’s Borough location features a centre stage and screen with disco lights. To keep your strength up there’s a special KTV menu which features large sharing platters and cocktail pitchers.
Capacity: Two to 14
Also see: There’s a large karaoke room at BAO in Shoreditch, Battersea, City and Marylebone too.
Mama Shelter
Shoreditch - 437 Hackney Rd, London E2 8PP
There are two karaoke rooms at this Hackney hotel and, in addition to a handy vending machine in the lobby, you can order up food and drink from the main restaurant. So that means everything from Korean chicken bites to vegan burgers and Bounty cheesecakes to fuel your singing sessions.
Capacity: Up to 15
BAM Karaoke Box
Victoria - 74 Victoria St, London SW1E 6SQ
Laying claim to being London’s most luxe karaoke spot, BAM comes to us from Paris and has a aesthetic to match. Each of the 22 rooms has its own look and feel, the sound systems are Bose and touch screens allow you to order food and drink to your room. The menu’s been created by chef Sabrina Gidda and features treats like Steak Tartare Croustade and devilled eggs.
Capacity: From four to 30
M Threadneedle
The City - Unit 2 & 3, 60 Threadneedle St, London EC2R 8HG
Every Saturday this City steakhouse takes the energy up a notch with its Tokyo Brunch and as part of that you can bolt-on a karaoke package which gives you an hour of karaoke with free-flowing drinks. As for the food there’s dim sum and wagyu bao buns to start with okonomiyaki and fillet steak and more on offer.
Capacity: Up to 15
The Old Queen’s Head
Islington - 44 Essex Rd, London N1 8LN
Lucky Chip are the folks serving up food at this Essex Road pub. So get the burgers and tater tots in - maybe go for the Kevin Bacon if you're planning on going all Footloose. There are two rooms to choose from; the karaoke room is for smaller parties or you can go big and take on The Playroom.
Capacity: Karaoke Room (up to 12), The Playroom (up to 70).
More about The Old Queen’s Head
Inamo
Soho and Covent Garden
Each of Inamo’s restaurants features a private room that can be set up for karaoke, as well as gaming. There’s over 90,000 songs to choose from, meaning there’s something for everyone whether you’re into BTS or Beyoncé. For food you can opt for a tasting menu with sashimi platters and dragon rolls, or they’ll put together a bespoke buffet for you.
Capacity: Games Room Soho (20 seated), Onyx Room Covent Garden (35 seated)
Bunga Bunga
Covent Garden - 167 Drury Ln, London WC2B 5PG
There are two options for karaoke at OTT Italian restaurant Bunga Bunga and which one you choose depends on whether you enjoy an audience or not. At the weekends late night karaoke sessions involve getting on stage to sing in front of the whole restaurant. But you can also book Nonna's Attico for a private karaoke session. They'll keep the pizza slices coming and if you need liquid refreshment there's a Push for Prosecco button you can make use of.
Capacity: Up to 15 in the private room
Jiwajah
Vauxhall - 353A Kennington Lane, London SE11 5QY
Down in Vauxhall, Jihwaja do a nice line in Korean tapas and sharing dishes, with options like Korean fried chicken, japchae with sweet potato and pumpkin korokke. Lyrics are available in English, Korean, Chinese and Japanese.
Capacity: Several rooms available from a party of 4 up to double rooms with space for up to 30
Lan Kwai Fong
Camden - 27 Chalk Farm Rd, Chalk Farm, London NW1 8AG
Work your way through a classic old-school Chinese restaurant menu at this popular Camden spot. That means everything from prawn toast to bang bang chicken and sweet and sour pork, alongside up-to-the-minute cocktails like gummy bear shots and green tea mojitos.
Capacity: One room up to 30, the other up to 50
Sichuan Restaurant and Karaoke Bar
Greenwich - Millenium Leisure Park, Bugsby's Way, London SE10 0QJ
Whether it’s bubble tea you need to lubricate your vocal cords or hard liquor, this Sichuan restaurant on the Greenwich Peninsular is the place for you. On the menu, you’ll find MaPo tofu with minced pork, fragrant chicken in dried chillies or hot pot specials.
Capacity: Six private karaoke rooms of varying sizes and designs.
More about Sichuan Restaurant and Karaoke Bar
Star by Hackney Downs
Clapton - 35 Queensdown Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 8JQ
Book the karaoke room at The Star, that's run by Lucky Voice, and get the party started with one of their drinks packages so you can get straight into the singing. As for the food, that’s by Fireyard BBQ so party platters include coal roasted butternut squash tacos and buttermilk chicken tenders.
Capacity: Up to 15
More about Star by Hackney Downs
Superstar BBQ
Holborn - 4 Central Piazza St Giles, Saint Giles High Street, London WC2H 8AB
The modern wooden-clad karaoke room sits beneath the restaurant which you'll find just beside Google UK, You could always dine from the full menu upstairs first, but if you just want food delivered to the room, then they do an edited selection of sides. Song-wise there are English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese or Filipino options.
Capacity: Up to 14
Wing Wing Tavistock
Bloomsbury - 30 Woburn Pl, London WC1H 0JR
Karaoke is a big thing at Korean chicken specialists Wing Wing. The good news is that here they're totally geared up for parties, with party packs consisting of a combo of their signature wings (choose from hot, soy garlic, liquorice or mixed), calamari, prawns, fries and kimchi coleslaw. There's loads of draught beer to accompany that - look out for the bottom-up dispensers - along with cocktails on tap.
Capacity: Up to 10
Also see: They have a karaoke room at their flagship restaurant on Charing Cross Road too.
More about Wing Wing Tavistock
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