A karaoke lounge for aficionados, Karaoke Bleu takes the amateur medium very seriously. With large tables and stellar service, it’s a popular spot for groups—but not for the faint of heart. The sound system is strong, and there are no club-y diversions, just well-made drinks and free-flowing snack mix. The angular neon sign and glass brick behind the stage provide a retro, stuck-in-time charm. (For those formerly deterred from coming here because Karaoke Bleu allowed indoor smoking, that’s no longer the case.) It might seem as if the regulars congregating at the small bar in the back are quietly judging you. Perhaps. But they’re probably just waiting around for their chance to warble another Frank Sinatra ditty.
If you’re ready to graduate from singing in your car or shower—or just like watching folks make fools of themselves—karaoke venues abound in Los Angeles, from a totally random 1980s-themed dive bar in Bellflower to lavish lounges throughout Koreatown. When the urge to wail “Don’t Stop Believin’” (or any other song, please please please) hits you, here are the top spots to unabashedly croon into a mic and cheer on strangers who’ve dared to take the stage. Unlike bars with specific karaoke nights, these venues offer the chance to act like a contestant on The Voice multiple times a week. No audition or spinning chairs necessary.
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