A microphone has a remarkable ability to transform otherwise sensible adults into West End hopefuls. Karaoke confidence, however, rarely arrives unassisted; serenading your friends with all six minutes of Bohemian Rhapsody requires a substantial meal.
In London, karaoke has found a home in all kinds of places: party pubs, Chinatown restaurants where whole families gather, hidden behind the dining rooms of slick sushi restaurants, and more. Here are six of our favourites, where the food is just as much of a pull as the singing.
Sushi and sing at Mitsu, Shoreditch
Mitsu has transformed the former Nobu Shoreditch site into a glossy Tokyo-inspired izakaya, complete with private karaoke rooms hidden behind the dining room. Executive chef Aaj Fernando (ex-Soho House and La Bodega Negra) oversees a menu that moves from sushi to kushikatsu (skewers of meat and vegetables fried until audibly crisp). Beautifully presented sushi platters, as well as plump and crispy gyoza, moreish soft-shell crab tempura and more can be delivered directly to your karaoke room to keep the performance going long after dinner. You can order it from a self-service kiosk in the room, and even buy drinks from Mitsu’s Bacardi vending machine, so there’s no need to leave the room during a particularly emotional rendition of You Oughta Know.
@mitsu.london
A Cantonese feast at Gold Mine, Queensway
While it’s primarily known for its glossy Cantonese roast duck, Gold Mine’s Queensway outpost has three private karaoke rooms which cater for groups of up to 22. It’s an ideal choice for a full evening of eating, singing and drinking – then doing it all again. The menu is built for sharing with a dim sum menu, set menus for roast duck and Cantonese comforts like salted fish fried rice and mango pudding.
@goldminerestaurant
New York-style pizza at Old Queens Head, Islington
The Old Queens Head has long been one of north London’s most dependable party pubs, and since February it has become an even stronger karaoke prospect thanks to its Hot Saint residency. Its New York-style pizzas range from the classic (Double Pepperoni) to the more experimental (the Spicy Hawaiian, with guanciale, spam, pineapple and jalapeños). Naturally, they’re available to order to your karaoke room, and there are several themed options to choose from: there’s a tiki-inspired space seating up to 15, as well as the Playroom, which accommodates up to 60 guests and also offers vintage arcade games and a dedicated booze-stocked fridge.
@oldqueenshead
Entrecôte sandos at Moyagi, Marylebone
This Stockholm-born, Japanese-inspired karaoke bar just off Oxford Street prides itself on its top-of-the-line audio system and selection of 150,000 songs. Book one of its cherry-red, neon-lit private rooms, then order some Japanese okashi (snacks) to enjoy as you channel your inner Celine Dion. You’ll find moreish treats like umami fries, crispy rice ceviche, siu ribs and cute entrecôte katsu sandos, alongside a sorbet of the night. To drink, there are cocktails that change with the seasons and fun shots like the Hot Shot, a Swedish party staple layered with Galliano, hot coffee and cold cream on top that goes down as a boozy lick of dessert.
@moyagi
Birria hot dogs at Lord Napier Star, Hackney Wick
Few foods are better suited to karaoke than something you only need to hold in one hand. At The Lord Napier Star, the pub’s current kitchen residency, Oh My Dog!, has built a following for its hot dogs – particularly its deeply savoury Birria Dog filled with short rib and oxtail birria with pickled Spanish onions. Vegan options are available, too. Hackney Wick’s only private karaoke room, accommodating up to 25 people, is well-hidden behind an unmarked door at the top of the pub’s back staircase. Its machine is from Lucky Voice – one of London’s best karaoke bars with venues across the city – so you know you’re in for a good time.
@lordnapierstar
Taiwanese chicken at Bao, various locations
Karaoke is as much about eating as it is singing at Bao, the Taiwanese restaurant group with karaoke rooms in five of its London branches. Private booths are paired with snackable versions of favourite menu items: bite-sized bao, crisp fried dumplings and reliably excellent fried chicken. The smaller portions keep things tidy, with no cold leftovers lingering mid-ballad. Set menus start from £35, with drinks ranging from beer towers to the restaurant’s signature highballs. The cosiest room is in Marylebone, where red draped curtains and a horseshoe-shaped banquette seat up to 10. For bigger groups, the Bloomberg Arcade outpost near Bank has a wraparound cinematic screen and space for up to 23 enthusiastic singers.
@bao_london
