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[title]“I bite the hook and come back, to start all over again. I’ve got a card in my hand, ready to play the game whenever you want…” It’s Friday night and the track of Costumbres Argentinas, a classic of Argentine rock, starts playing. A group of friends goes wild at the mic. They sing as if they were at a live concert with Los Abuelos de la Nada on stage, but their voices bounce off the walls of a private room in the heart of Palermo. Nobody cares if they’re on key, if they hit the chorus at the right time, or if they forgot the lyrics. The goal is to have fun—and it’s mission accomplished.
The plan? Karaoke. One of the most popular—and fun—activities to mix things up between the usual dinner with friends and a night out clubbing. Since its invention in the 1970s—by a Japanese entrepreneur who spotted a business opportunity in the entertainment and leisure industry—it has become a social and global phenomenon. Asia was its cradle, but the concept quickly spread worldwide after the first karaoke machine was reportedly installed in 1971 at a bar in Kobe, a port city on Osaka Bay in Japan.
What’s the difference between Korean karaoke and the traditional kind?
Today, broadly speaking, two styles coexist in Buenos Aires. On the one hand, Korean karaoke or noraebang, where everything happens in a private room for a small group. In the Flores neighborhood, you’ll find some of the most iconic spots for this scene. While at first it only attracted the Korean community, today the audience is much more diverse.
"In Korean karaoke, everything happens in a private room for a small group of people"
On the other hand, there’s bar or lounge karaoke, where people sing in front of others—an occasional audience that, depending on the moment, can either sit back and watch or become part of the show. With the noraebang option, behind closed doors, the vibe is more intimate and exclusive for the group who booked the room. In bars and pubs, on the other hand, couples, small or large groups all mingle in a noisier atmosphere. There’s usually a host guiding the night, and chances to share the mic with strangers if you feel like it.
"In bar karaoke, people sing in front of others—an occasional audience that can be spectators or stars of the show"
What does the word karaoke mean?
It’s a compound of two Japanese words: karappo (“empty”) and okesutora (“orchestra”). So karaoke literally means “empty orchestra.”
Now, join us on a Time Out tour through the Buenos Aires karaoke scene, with six spots to book a room—or a table—and let out the shy performer who only dares to sing alone, or in the shower.
Yatai Yatoi, the new spot in Palermo
Step inside and the place transforms into an Asian street market. Neon lights, a central bar, posters everywhere and a multisensory aesthetic set the scene at the new Yatai Yatoi in Palermo, consolidating its Asian street food concept in Buenos Aires.
The big novelty here is the private karaoke room for up to 14 people, plus a claw machine for catching stuffed animals—adding extra fun and making every visit unique. Like everywhere else, you need to book in advance, but here you can enjoy the full food and cocktail menu while you sing.
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Top menu picks include gyozas (pork dumplings with ponzu sauce), chicken satay skewers with Indonesian peanut sauce, and nem song, Vietnamese rice paper rolls filled with shrimp, mango, red onion and Chinese cabbage.
With over 500 tracks to choose from, reservations are available Thursday to Saturday at 6pm, 8:15pm and 10:30pm, and Sunday to Wednesday at 7:30pm or 10pm. Open daily from noon to midnight, at Costa Rica 5802, Palermo. There’s also another branch at Pasaje Echeverría in Chinatown.
W Karaoke rocks Ruperto Godoy
A must in the Floresta neighborhood, W Karaoke is a typical Korean-style spot with private rooms of different sizes. Go with a small group of friends or throw a birthday party with up to 25 people. It’s located at Ruperto Godoy 761, just two blocks from the bustling Avellaneda and Nazca shopping hub.
But Ruperto Godoy is no ordinary passage: in just 100 meters of open-air strip, you’ll find a great mix of eateries worth exploring. With the exception of W Karaoke, midway down the block, the rest are all restaurants, with signs in hangul (the Korean alphabet) and murals featuring K-pop idols.
Booking a room is simple: info is shared on social media and WhatsApp. Each room has its own décor and high-quality sound. The singing experience is topped off with menu options like ramen, chicken wings, mandu (Korean dumplings), and buldak (spicy Korean chicken).
A plus: part of the room fee can be spent on food and drinks. For example, the VIP room for 25 costs AR$200,000 for two hours, with AR$90,000 credited for consumption. Rooms 1 and 2 (max 13 people) are AR$150,000 with AR$60,000 in credit. Rooms 3–6 (up to six people) are AR$120,000 with AR$50,000 to spend. Since rooms fill up fast, book at least a week ahead. Open Tuesday to Saturday.
Orno, karaoke at La Esquina del Sol
After renting the space and giving it a bold, contemporary makeover, the owners of Orno discovered that back in the 1980s, the legendary rock pub La Esquina del Sol had occupied the very same corner of Guatemala and Gurruchaga. That stage once hosted icons like Sumo, Charly García, Soda Stereo, Fito Páez and Los Redondos. Today, karaoke nights at Orno sometimes see audience members reminiscing about being part of those legendary gigs.
The night usually starts out shy, but soon camaraderie kicks in and the crowd sings along with whoever takes the stage. As in most places, food and drink are central: classic and signature cocktails, plus standout pizzas baked in a 400° wood-fired oven with an open kitchen.
Highlights include Neapolitan pizzas like the classic Margherita (tomato sauce, fresh basil, fior di latte and melted mozzarella), or adventurous ones like the Pumpkin (roasted garlic cream, smoked pumpkin, ricotta, fennel, smoked mozzarella, chives and dill). Detroit-style pies, with crunchy dough, lots of cheese and caramelized edges, include the Stracciatella (mozzarella, stracciatella, marinara, breadcrumbs, chili flakes, Sbrinz cheese and honey) and the Pear (mozzarella, blue cheese, sage, amaretti cookies and roasted pears). Find it at Guatemala 4701, Palermo.
Mastropueblo: karaoke, all-you-can-eat pizza and fair prices
At the border of Colegiales and Belgrano R, Mastropueblo Music Pub (Virrey Avilés 2903) has a 90-person capacity and a mixed crowd—from young people out for drinks to families celebrating birthdays. There’s dinner service, a lounge bar, live bands and a karaoke that’s been running for over 25 years.
“Karaoke is trendy now, and more and more venues are offering it. We’ve got an all-you-can-eat pizza menu with drinks at affordable prices, so people can come, sing and have a great time until closing around 4am,” says owner Fabián Ángel Mumare. “Unlike some bars, here we set up a real stage with lights, screen, and state-of-the-art sound. It’s not just singing next to a table or bar while waiters walk by. There’s a proper space for people to shine—and we even record videos and upload them to our YouTube channel as a souvenir.”
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The playlist includes everything from Argentine rock classics and Gilda’s No me arrepiento de este amor to Shakira, Los Auténticos Decadentes, Damas Gratis, Memphis La Blusera and international pop hits. With over 2,500 songs, there’s something for every taste and age. Reservations via social media.
Kōnā Corner, private karaoke with a twist
This Japanese corner that blends a restaurant and bar—powered by chef Narda Lepes and mixologist Inés de los Santos—keeps expanding its nightlife offer. After recently launching its own delivery service, Kōnā now presents its long-planned karaoke.
Designed as a private experience, reservations are for groups who want to sing their hearts out in a space with ideal acoustics and lighting. For first-timers, it might sound intimidating, but the system is easy and the staff is always ready to help.
The space offers water and beer within easy reach, plus access to the terrace for spectacular photos. Before singing, guests can eat and drink at the restaurant or bar. Groups of 5–10 people are ideal. As Narda puts it, “It’s worth it—the dopamine you leave with is amazing.” Bookings via WhatsApp: +54 9 11 3051 4423.
Mp3 Norebang, Buenos Aires’ Gangnam Style cradle
A Flores classic at Rivadavia 6362, Mp3 Norebang initially drew only Korean (and sometimes Chinese) clientele. But after Gangnam Style went viral in 2012, the spot started attracting a broader crowd.
To explain karaoke’s importance in Korean culture, Mp3 staff make a local comparison: for Koreans, karaoke is like nightclubs for Argentines. While Argentines are used to crowded, dark venues where you fight for space, Koreans prefer cozy, private rooms.
Mp3 has rooms for 15 or 25 people, priced at AR$30,000 and AR$50,000 per hour. Room fees don’t include food or drinks, but the à la carte menu is varied and affordable. Bookings at 11 6883 2230.