London doesn’t sleep when the sun goes down - and for karaoke lovers, it’s never been a better time to grab a mic and let loose. Forget the quiet pubs and stuffy lounges. The city’s real magic happens when the lights dim, the speakers crank up, and strangers become backup singers. Whether you’re belting out Adele, screaming along to Queen, or trying to nail that tricky high note in Beyoncé’s Run the World, London’s karaoke scene has a spot for you. And no, it’s not just about singing - it’s about the energy, the laughter, the terrible attempts that somehow become legendary.
Where the Mic Never Sleeps
London’s top karaoke spots aren’t just about the equipment - they’re about the vibe. Some places feel like a private party you accidentally stumbled into. Others feel like a stage built for legends. The best ones? They make you forget you’re in a city of 9 million people. You’re just one voice in a room full of people who don’t care if you sound like a pro - they care if you’re having fun.
Sing Sing Karaoke in Soho is the closest thing London has to a karaoke temple. With over 10,000 songs in its library - from ABBA to Bad Bunny - it’s got everything. Private rooms? Check. Unlimited drinks? Check. Staff who actually cheer you on? Double check. It’s not cheap - £25 per person for two hours - but if you’ve ever sung Bohemian Rhapsody in a group of strangers who suddenly became your best friends, you’ll know it’s worth every penny.
Then there’s Karaoke Box in Shoreditch. This one’s for the serious singers. No private rooms here - just an open stage, a crowd that leans in, and a sound system that makes your voice sound like it’s coming from a studio. The playlist? Curated. The crowd? Mostly locals who’ve been coming for years. You’ll see people who come every Thursday to sing the same song - and each time, they get better. It’s not a bar. It’s a practice ground.
Hidden Gems You Won’t Find on Google Maps
Not all the best spots are the loudest. Some of London’s most unforgettable karaoke nights happen in places you’d walk past without noticing.
Down a narrow alley in Peckham, The Velvet Note opens its back room every Friday after 10 PM. No sign. No website. Just a red door with a microphone painted on it. You walk in, hand over £10, pick a song from a battered binder, and wait your turn. The owner, a retired jazz singer from New Orleans, sits in the corner with a whiskey and nods along. He doesn’t say much. But if he stands up and claps? You’ve just had your moment.
Over in Brixton, Bar Rumba doesn’t advertise karaoke. But every second Tuesday, they turn off the DJ, roll out the mic stand, and let the crowd take over. It’s not karaoke as you know it - it’s more like a pub jam. Someone starts singing Wagon Wheel, someone else joins on harmonies, a guy pulls out a ukulele from under the table. By the end of the night, 20 people are singing. No one’s recording it. No one’s posting it. But everyone remembers it.
What Makes a Great Karaoke Spot?
Not every bar with a mic is worth your time. Here’s what separates the good from the great:
- Song library size - If they don’t have at least 8,000 songs, skip it. You should be able to find obscure 90s pop, K-pop, and classic rock in the same session.
- Sound quality - A tinny speaker with echo ruins everything. Look for places with professional-grade mics and subwoofers. You’ll know it when you hear your voice hit the back wall.
- Staff attitude - If the bartender rolls their eyes when you ask for a song, walk out. The best places have staff who hand you the mic like it’s a trophy.
- Atmosphere - No pressure. No judging. If the room feels like a performance, it’s wrong. It should feel like a living room where everyone’s drunk and happy.
Some places nail one thing - like Sing Sing with their song list - but miss the others. The winners? They do all four.
When to Go - And When to Skip
Timing matters. A karaoke night at 7 PM on a Tuesday? You’ll be the only one singing. A Friday at 11 PM? You’ll be lucky to get a mic at all.
Best nights to go:
- Wednesday nights - Quiet enough to get a room, busy enough to feel alive. Sing Sing’s Wednesday karaoke is packed with students and young professionals who just want to unwind.
- Thursday evenings - The start of the weekend. Bars are loosening up. The crowd’s more forgiving. Great for trying new songs.
- First Saturday of the month - At Karaoke Box, they host “Open Mic Legends” - where anyone can sign up to perform a full set. You’ll hear a 72-year-old grandmother do Whitney Houston. It’s unforgettable.
Avoid Sundays. People are tired. Mondays? Forget it. And never go on holidays - unless you want to sing Happy Birthday 17 times.
What to Wear - And What to Leave at Home
There’s no dress code. But there are unwritten rules.
- Wear shoes you can move in. You’ll be dancing. Probably badly.
- Leave the expensive jacket at home. Someone’s going to spill a cocktail on you. It’s inevitable.
- Don’t wear headphones. You’re not here to lip-sync. You’re here to sing.
- Bring a friend who’s willing to duet. Even if they’re tone-deaf. That’s half the fun.
And for the love of all things musical - don’t try to sing Bohemian Rhapsody alone unless you’ve practiced for six months. The room will cheer you on. Then they’ll quietly move to the next table.
Why Karaoke in London Is Different
London’s karaoke scene isn’t just about singing. It’s about connection. In a city where people often feel invisible, a karaoke room becomes a place where you’re seen - even if you sound awful.
Studies from the University of London’s Department of Music Psychology show that group singing releases more oxytocin than group dancing. That’s why people come back. Not for the drinks. Not for the fame. But because for one hour, they feel like they belong.
That’s why you’ll see a 60-year-old accountant from Croydon singing with a 22-year-old student from Lagos. Why a nurse from Birmingham and a graphic designer from Tokyo end up harmonizing on Don’t Stop Believin’. Why strangers hug after a bad performance - because they know what it took to get up there.
London doesn’t have the biggest karaoke scene in Europe. But it has the most human one.
Is karaoke in London expensive?
It depends. Private rooms at places like Sing Sing start at £25 per person for two hours, which includes unlimited drinks. Smaller venues like The Velvet Note charge £10 for entry with no drink minimum. Karaoke Box is £15 for the night with a drink voucher. You can find cheap options if you go midweek - just avoid weekends if you’re budget-conscious.
Do I need to book in advance?
For private rooms - yes, always. Places like Sing Sing and Karaoke Box require bookings at least 24 hours ahead, especially on weekends. For open mic nights like Bar Rumba or The Velvet Note, no booking is needed. Just show up, get your name on the list, and wait your turn.
Can I bring my own songs?
Most places use digital systems like Karafun or Singa, which have huge libraries. But if you want to sing something obscure - like a rare K-pop track or a 2003 Eurovision entry - ask ahead. Some venues let you upload a song for a small fee. Others just say no. Always check first.
Are there karaoke nights for beginners?
Absolutely. Karaoke Box runs a "First-Timer Friday" every week where newcomers get priority on the mic. Sing Sing has "No Pressure Nights" on Wednesdays - staff even give you a pep talk before you go on. The vibe is always supportive. No one laughs. Everyone claps.
Is there a dress code?
No formal dress code anywhere. But most people dress casually - jeans, t-shirts, maybe something fun like a glitter jacket or a band tee. Avoid suits unless you’re going for irony. And definitely don’t wear heels - you’ll be dancing, and you’ll regret it.