If you love belting out tunes under dim lights with friends who don’t care if you’re off-key, London has more than just pubs and clubs-it has a whole scene built for karaoke lovers. Forget the quiet wine bars and fancy cocktail lounges. This city’s real singing heartbeat beats in basement rooms, neon-lit booths, and venues where strangers become backup singers by midnight.
Why London’s Karaoke Scene Is Different
London doesn’t just have karaoke bars. It has karaoke experiences. Unlike places where you pick a song from a tablet and sing alone under a spotlight, London’s best spots mix crowd energy, themed nights, and serious sound systems. You won’t find dusty microphones here. These places invest in studio-grade mics, real reverb, and DJs who know how to hype a room when someone nails ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.
What makes it special? It’s the mix. You might be next to a group of Japanese tourists doing a full J-pop set, a group of office workers from Canary Wharf screaming along to Queen, or a local band member testing out new material. There’s no judgment-just loud, messy, joyful noise.
Top 5 Karaoke Spots in London
1. The Karaoke Box (Soho)
Open until 3 AM, this place feels like a Tokyo alleyway dropped into central London. Private booths with plush seating, LED lyric screens, and a menu that includes ramen and sake make this a full-night escape. The song library? Over 20,000 tracks, from ABBA to BTS. They even have themed nights: ‘80s Power Ballads’ on Fridays, ‘K-Pop All-Nighter’ on Saturdays. No reservations? Show up before 9 PM or wait an hour. Worth it.
2. Sing Sing Karaoke (Shoreditch)
Think industrial-chic meets studio lounge. Sing Sing doesn’t just play music-it records you. After your performance, you get a link to download your track. Yes, really. They’ve got professional vocal coaching on weekends, and the sound engineers tweak your pitch in real time so you sound better than you think you do. Their ‘Duet Night’ on Wednesdays is packed. Bring someone you’re trying to impress-or just a friend who won’t laugh too hard.
3. The Jazz Café (Camden)
Don’t let the name fool you. Every Thursday, this legendary Camden venue turns into ‘Soul & Karaoke Night’. It’s not your typical bar karaoke. This is live band backing-real drums, bass, and horns. You get to sing with musicians who’ve played with Marvin Gaye and Amy Winehouse. The crowd? Serious singers and music nerds. You won’t find here ‘I Will Always Love You’ by a drunk guy in a baseball cap. You’ll find someone hitting Whitney’s high note like it’s nothing. Cover charge is £10, but it includes one free drink.
4. Karaoke Bar London (Brixton)
Located under a Thai restaurant, this spot is unassuming from the outside but explodes with energy inside. The vibe is casual, local, and loud. They don’t do fancy lighting or private rooms-just one big open space with a stage and a crowd that cheers louder than the PA system. Their ‘TikTok Hits Night’ on Tuesdays is wild. You’ll hear ‘Flowers’ by Miley Cyrus followed by ‘Despacito’ and then a full group rendition of ‘Sweet Caroline’. The staff hand out glow sticks. No one leaves early.
5. The Rake (Borough Market)
This isn’t a karaoke bar. It’s a pub that lets you sing. Every Sunday, they open the back room for ‘Singing Pint Night’. You buy a pint, sign up on the whiteboard, and when your name’s called, you walk up to a mic with a beer in hand. No screens. No auto-tune. Just you, a piano player, and a room full of strangers who suddenly become your biggest fans. It’s raw. It’s real. And it’s the most fun you’ll have in London on a Sunday night.
What to Expect: Pricing, Timing, and Rules
Most karaoke spots in London charge between £5 and £15 per person, depending on the venue and time. Weekends cost more. Private booths at The Karaoke Box start at £35/hour for up to 10 people. At Sing Sing, you pay per hour, not per person-great for groups.
Most places start karaoke around 8 PM and go until 1 AM or 3 AM. Some, like The Rake, only do it once a week. Always check their Instagram or website. Many now require bookings for weekend nights. Walk-ins are possible on weekdays, but don’t expect a booth if you show up after 9 PM.
Rules? Keep it respectful. No shouting over others. No using the mic for rants. And yes, they’ll kick you out if you’re too drunk to sing without falling over. Most places have a ‘one song per person’ rule before the next person gets a turn. It keeps things moving.
Pro Tips for First-Timers
- Choose songs you know inside out. Don’t try ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ if you’ve never sung it before. Pick something you’ve karaoke’d at home.
- Bring a friend to sing with you. Duets are easier, more fun, and the crowd loves them.
- Arrive early. Popular venues fill up fast. Get your name on the list before the music starts.
- Don’t be shy about cheering. The energy you give is the energy you get back.
- Download the venue’s app if they have one. Some let you pre-select songs so you don’t waste time scrolling during your turn.
Who Should Go Where?
If you want privacy and luxury: The Karaoke Box.
If you want to record your performance: Sing Sing.
If you want live musicians: The Jazz Café.
If you want wild, chaotic fun: Karaoke Bar London.
If you want real, unfiltered pub vibes: The Rake.
There’s no wrong choice. But if you’re serious about singing in London, try at least two. Each gives you a different side of the city’s soul.
What’s New in 2026
This year, three new venues opened with AI-powered lyric assistants. At LyricLabs in Peckham, the screen doesn’t just show words-it suggests vocal runs and harmonies in real time. You can even choose a vocal style: ‘Adele’, ‘Bruno Mars’, or ‘Metallica’. It’s not magic, but it helps. And it’s already drawing crowds.
Also, a new weekly event called ‘Karaoke Crawl’ launched in East London. Five bars, five songs, one passport stamp per stop. Finish all five, get a free T-shirt and a free drink at the last venue. It sold out in 48 hours last month.
Final Thought: It’s Not About Being Good
The best karaoke nights in London aren’t won by the person with the best voice. They’re won by the person who sings like no one’s watching-even though everyone is. It’s about letting go. About laughing when you miss a note. About someone in the back yelling, ‘Again!’ because you made them feel something.
London doesn’t need you to be perfect. It just needs you to show up. Sing loud. Sing wrong. Sing like you’ve been waiting your whole life for this moment. Because you have.
Are karaoke bars in London expensive?
Most karaoke bars charge between £5 and £15 per person for entry and song access. Private booths start at £35/hour. Some venues, like The Rake, charge nothing extra-just pay for your drinks. Weekends and prime hours cost more, but weekday nights are usually cheaper and less crowded.
Do I need to book in advance for karaoke in London?
Yes, especially on weekends. Popular spots like The Karaoke Box and Sing Sing fill up weeks ahead for Saturday nights. Weekday nights are more flexible, but it’s still smart to book if you’re with a group. Walk-ins are possible at places like Karaoke Bar London and The Rake, but you might wait or get stuck in the back.
Can I bring my own songs to karaoke bars in London?
Most venues have huge digital libraries-over 20,000 tracks. You can’t bring your own files, but you can request songs that aren’t on the list. Many places add new tracks weekly, especially trending TikTok or YouTube hits. If it’s popular, they’ll likely add it soon.
Is karaoke in London only for tourists?
No. Locals dominate the scene. Many venues have regulars who come every week. You’ll see students, office workers, retirees, and even professional singers testing new material. Karaoke in London is a community activity, not a tourist gimmick. It’s where people unwind after a long week.
What’s the best night to go for karaoke in London?
Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest, with the most energy and themed nights. But if you want less crowd and more chances to sing, go on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Some places like The Jazz Café and The Rake only do karaoke on specific nights-check their schedules. Sunday nights at The Rake are legendary for their raw, unfiltered vibe.
Are there any karaoke bars in London that are LGBTQ+ friendly?
Absolutely. Sing Sing in Shoreditch and The Karaoke Box in Soho are known for their inclusive, welcoming crowds. Many karaoke nights feature drag performers, queer song choices, and themed events like ‘RuPaul’s Drag Karaoke’. The atmosphere is always celebratory and safe. You’ll find more LGBTQ+ representation here than in many mainstream clubs.
