The best karaoke bars in Chinatown for having your diva moment

A blue neon sign points karaoke-lovers to this basement lounge, where groups of young revelers take to the stage to shamelessly belt out Mandarin pop songs along with sing-along standards from Tina Turner and Billy Idol. Hesitant newcomers can loosen up with a specialty cocktail procured from the upstairs bar. Harness liquid courage via a Zen martini—Absolut Citron infused with green tea.

In terms of visuals, this drinking and singing den is particularly stimulating with it’s funky, three-dimensional artwork and colorful L.E.D. lights. Like most karaoke lounges, there are three room sizes: the smallest holds six people and the largest has enough space for 30 individuals. FYI: Brave souls can sing for free on the floor lobby, as long as you buy drinks from the bar. There’s also a kitchen that serves Asian cuisine and snacks including marinated duck wings and edamame. This spot is cash only, so make sure your squad hits the ATM before you’re all too drunk to remember your PIN numbers.

You must ascend a narrow set of stairs (big shock) above a bus pickup point in Chinatown to get to this dive. Most people would agree that this no-frills place is the best option for folks on a budget—you don’t have to pay for a private room. We encourage you to sing in front of the usually supportive crowd and just let loose by sipping the brews on tap.