Best of Toronto
The Best Karaoke Bars in Toronto
The best karaoke bars in Toronto are a varied bunch. Like their loyal patrons, the venues on this list represent the best of every flavour, each fighting for its time in the limelight. The traditionals offer private rooms, or karaoke boxes - the original term in karaoke days of yore - while neighbourhood locals offer something more akin to Canadian Idol (read: public humiliation) any and every night if the week.
The tradition of studio recordings lacking the vocal track is an old one - a string and horn section doesn't run cheap, nor a live band - but it wasn't until the 70's that some bar in Japan made it available to more than just the troubadour. The history is much-disputed, and would become a discussion of patent law before long, but somewhere along the line the desire to get on stage and fulfill the rock star fantasy took hold and literally swept the globe.
So, when it comes to karaoke, Toronto is replete with options, and variations on every one. The following list, voted upon by readers of this site, is just a taste of what you can find on a quick sweep of the streets. Try one, none or some.
Here are the 12 best karaoke bars in Toronto.
Writing by Tanner Cormier. Top photos by Lizzie Libation, FilkerDave and Richelle on Flickr.
Gladstone Melody Bar
Core-dwellers with a penchant for exhibitionism gather at the Gladstone on Fridays and Saturdays for Peter Styles’ infamous karaoke parties. Named Now’s Best Karaoke seven times over, Melody Bar karaoke offers choice picks for the ironic and discerning as well as karaoke-to-go, so revelers can bring their embarrassment home on DVD. More »
XO Karaoke
All karaoke, all the time in the heart of K-Town. Ten years in, XO still keeps its private rooms open all night long. And with a catalogue of 500, 000 songs, start in the 70s and emerge somewhere between Mary J. and BSB by dawn. Even better, with rates starting at $20/hour, you can focus on your liquid finances. More »
Revival (Hip Hop Karaoke)
Rooted in NYC, Toronto’s first Hip Hop karaoke night takes place at Revival every third Friday. HHK is touted as the place for wannabe MCs to cut their teeth before a live audience. That the audience gets to hear songs it actually knows makes the $5.00 cover worth every cent. More »
Twister Karaoke
The pride of North York takes form in the family-owned Twister Karaoke. It’s the only joint in town offering “karaoke boxes,” though exactly what differentiates them from private rooms must be more nuanced than I can tell. The folks at Twister say they once hosted a 15-hour karaoke marathon. Whether it was in English, Russian or another of the nine languages offered is unclear. Rates start at $25/hour and increase by the head for a party of more than five. More »
Rivoli Pool Hall (Kickass Karaoke)
For those about to rock - Kickass Karaoke at the Rivoli. This is karaoke for the grungier half. Every other Sunday (first and third of the month) rockers roll in to hear their peers belt it to Bowie and Byrne. It’s sweaty, but anything worth its studs is. More »
The Duke
If in Leslieville on some dusking Saturday, consider stopping by the Duke. Though pub grub and pints are aplenty, the commodity to get in on is the karaoke. This is the only East-end entry, so you know it’s good. The century-old inn no longer operates, but raise a glass to history and whistle for the oaf singing Journey.
BMB Karaoke
BMB is the best place to exercise foreign-language prowess - the catalogue is extensive and largely Korean. Worry not; Toronto’s largest karaoke bar has plenty of English pop songs to go around. Lights and lasers distract from the tacky decor, but the utterly random videos never fail to amuse. BMB is best for small groups; a gang of four will pay $20/hour, but it’s $5 extra a head per hour for larger groups. More »
Bar + Karaoke
Clean, modern decor and fair rates –$25/hour for a group of five–make up for the fact that it exists at Yonge-Gerrard. I’ve been twice with large groups and there are no bells or whistles. Just rooms with couches and microphones, and lyrics projected on screens. All the better to make the party our own. More »
Baby Huey
Like a ghost from Ossington’s past, Baby Huey serves up karaoke every Tuesday, if in better style. Previously home to a brothel-slash-karaoke dive, as the legend goes, Baby Huey’s hip and relaxed atmosphere offers a different groove in the karaoke scene. More »
Hurricane's
Karaoke with a side of professional sports. The only true-blue sports bar on the list makes the best of its casual atmosphere and friendly host of regulars and staff. Pop in on Wednesdays to play spectator to a weekly match of Bloor West Idol.
Opera Bob's
Unpretentious is the order of the day at Opera Bob’s. Have a drink with Bob himself – owner/Canadian Opera Company member - and jump on stage for a song on Thursdays. Unlike most bars on or just-off Ossington, Bob’s is a great place to enjoy a good vibe and avoid hipsters out on a bender. More »
TEN23
I’m pretty sure TEN23 is the only place in the GTA that offers private karaoke rooms and a menu complete with ox tongue and spaghetti Bolognese. But know this - Decent weekday rates double by week’s end and the rooms are rented by the evening, not the hour, so fill them up and plan for a full night of singsong. More »
Discussion
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That hip hop karaoke looks fun.
However, my heart is at Bar+ and Kickass Karaoke @ The Rivoli.
This is a great list.
The fact that Gladstone is #1 is RIDICULOUS (worst sound EVER and a tiny songbook)
If you would like to try doing this list seriously let me know because you have NO IDEA what GOOD karaoke is.
(this is not me trying to plug my shows I can think of 10 other peoples shows that are not on this list that are far better than the crap spots you offered up!)
This list was determined by the reader's votes. That's first-hand data, not a doctored list. People like what they will, regardless of your supposed expertise.
But my expertise is that I have been hosting some of the most successful karaoke shows since English karaoke has been around. 20 plus years!
My issue is this…there should have been two lists.
1) Karaoke BARS & Boxes (every night or private rooms)
2) Karaoke SHOWS. (once or twice a week in a bar)
They are two very different animals.
And the Gladstone is a special pet peeve of mine because every time there is an article about karaoke it holds the Gladstone up as the Holy Grail of Karaoke shows. BECAUSE THEY DON’T KNOW ANY BETTER. It's the same reason old people always ask for Lady in red at a wedding...It's THE ONLY SONG They know the title of!
Generally Karaoke singers look for 4 things in a good karaoke show.
1) Large Song selection
2) Good sound
3) Entertaining and fair host
4) Cheap drinks
The Gladstone has none of these except for a decent Host.
Also... THE DUKE! Give me a Frickin break...the caption under the Blog TO page says it all…Deadly Shooting!!! Oh And watch out for the hookers and homeless guys in the bathrooms!
Note: You DO have Baby Hueys on there, which is a good show that has all the criteria that I stated above.
My point is that the group that voted on these must have been VERY small and or a narrow demographic of people. Because choosing between the Gladstone, Duke & XO is like trying to decide which one of the Golden Girls you wanna F%$K...THERES NO GOOD CHOICE
Below are a just a few GREAT shows that meet all the criteria above and yes they include my shows.
SUNDAY & MONDAY at TOBYS - 411 College St. with www.jasonrolland.com
MONDAY at Fox & Fiddle - (John & Adelaide) with Richie Rich
MONDAY at The Unicorn – 175 Eglinton E with Steve-O
TUESDAY & THURSDAY at Tequila Sunrise – 212 Adelaide St W with www.jasonrolland.com
TUESDAY at Neutral Lounge – 349A College St. with Steve-O
WEDNESDAY at Fox & Fiddle Danforth with Richie Rich
I invite you to come out to any of the shows I listed and see what GREAT Karaoke is all about. P.S. My shows are 100% Celine Dion Free!
Between the two shows we have likely had more happy singers over the years than all of the bars on your list combined! (except the asian room places there like karaoke brothels)
This proves my point that your voters pool was very small and narrow. Otherwise the type of shows on the list would have been more diverse. I would love to know how many votes the Duke actually got. How many people actually voted for the whole list?
And the fact you would rule out a bar based just on it's name or the street it's on is just ignorant and snobby. What's a matter do we not wear the right kind of wallet chains or chucks on Adelaide.
In fact I noticed that with only 2 exceptions all the shows on this list are west end places! what did you do ask 20 people at the corner of queen and spadina and then make your list!
For those that would like a list of Karaoke venues that is a little more diverse check out this group on facebook. Make sure you click the info tab thats where the GIANT list is. (always check with the bar first to confirm the info is current)
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28317670444&;ref=ts#!/group.php?gid=28317670444&v=info&ref=ts
That could be some dingy Vietnamese bar that only plays MIDI or some room in Koreatown. Even the Gladstone.
I put together a downtown listing that's organized by what time of the week and even has a handy Google map:
http://jollyinebriate.com/karaoke
AT FOX AND FIDDLE - WELLESLEY
THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY
GREAT SOUND.
GREAT SELECTION OF SONGS
DRINKS SPECIALS
FOOD SPECIALS
GREAT HOST'S
BEST KARAOKE SHOW HOSTED BY PETEROCK RADIO & BERNEY GOLD.
Her sound is awesome and selection second to none. None of the cheap imitation music you get from the older style karaoke discs.
We love to rock it out with them as they provide much heavier end music you generally do not see at a lot of Karaoke shows as well as all other styles of music, and her following is large.
Unfortunately her Friday , Saturday gig at the Rose & Thorn is no longer thanks to poor management at the bar but they are running Karaoke at the rock bar "THE ROCKPILE " on Monday nights right now Hwy 427 and Dundas.
And where i disagree with you Jason, those locations are no where near the west end, but this one is.
Anyone looking for a great Karaoke to attend or any owners out there looking for a great Karaoke for their bar, email me back. I promise you will not be disappointed !!
And if your gonna plug your shows... OWN IT don't pretend to be a patron at the begining of your post and then reveal that your the host by the end of your post.
my 2cents
Hot traxx has THE best selection you will find in the GTA
I have promoted this Karaoke company since they started and until you try them... don't knock them!!
Now as Lee said I do not own any Karaoke but I do love Hot Traxx and have for a long time, however I have been trying to get to some of your shows for awhile now but your spots are tough for us West Enders to get to but I will still try as I enjoy trying all Karaokes out.
I hope your Karaoke is worth my time cause as your site says, your karaoke doesn't suck, I know the one i normally go to does not so I have one to compare it with and who knows maybe I can bring a few of us real west enders with me.
BTW my name is Rod not Rob ( Thx Lee for that DUH ! ) but I will make sure when I do pop by you will know who I am guaranteed.
Second;
What is up with all this hate on my buddy JR here? True, he sometimes lacks a certain finesse when dealing with idiotic interweb haters, but trust me mang - he's good people and his shows ALWAYS rock at the top of the "Rockpile" LOL
anywayzzz
He has a bunch of valid points but seriously, everyone stop your beeyotching and just know your place. If your karaoke sucks, it sucks. If it is awesome, then you don't need to plug your shows here or anywhere else. Also, not calling anyone cheap or anything but *cough* if you think $400 is expensive for a private work sponsored function then shhheeeiiit go have it at McDonalds or BiWay or somthing. I'm not stuck up or anything cuz I do my fair share of charity gigs (Movember, AIDS awareness, ...you know, sh*t that MATTERS) but when you want the best you gotta pays the moneys.
For all my peoples all over the t-dot,
Word.
<3
-------Richie Rizzle the True Asian Host with The Most
OK well that was just rude and immature! & really inappropriate to discuss prices on a public forum. But I will try not to resort to name calling as Jim did.
Jim, I have no recollection of what your talking about.
But there are many things that determine pricing. So if I quoted you that price it must have been for a longer period of time than a typical karaoke show. (ie:10pm-2)
If a client wants me to work for 6 hours then I'm going to charge for it!
Or maybe I already had a regular karaoke show that night so for me to have someone cover my show so that I could do your event it would cost me money? So I had to cover my costs. Or maybe it was a Saturday or a Friday, which I charge a little more for? Since I usually DJ a wedding on Fri. & Sat.
But If that price was too expensive for you then that's fine. A Mercedes is too expensive for some people but that doesn't mean Mercedes suck.
Sun & Mon @ Tobys are 2 of the busiest karaoke shows in the city so somebody likes it. Plus you seemed to like it enough to go there before & to try to book a party there! But because you didn't like my price it all of sudden sucks??? You sound like a women scorned.
Anyways your feelings about my show are yours & your welcome to them...so don't come.
We are doing fine without you!!
And easy on the "woman scorned" comments kids, we aren't all vindictive b*tches out to get men ook? Alllrighty then.
What will be unique about our Karaoke is we will be starting at 6:00 for our office crowd and going through till close!!
One of Dr Spins female host will be running the show.
Come early as we have happy hour from 4 - 6 PM $5 drinks and half price appetizers
180 Yorkland Blvd. Entrance at the back parking lot!! See you there!!!
Jeff runs a good show and, unlike most karaoke hosts, sings well. His song collection, ranging from "Music of the Night" to "Let it be," is the most complete I've ever seen.
The Absolute Lounge is also the most decent karaoke place I've been to. Service is excellent, so is the price.
What the Absolute Lounge needs is more decent singers, people who're serious about singing and enjoy listening to good songs. Are you the one?
Finally I didn't expect this at all but we were hungry since we all just got off work so we ordered some food to eat. I was expecting some half decent (bad) food since its Karaoke after all... but instead we were pleasantly surprised the Sushi was one of the best we ever had in toronto and the wings well they got my vote for having one of the best in toronto!
yeah no lies check them out!