Karaoke Forums

Hi everyone. i"m new to this site because I just got back from teaching in Tokyo for a year! And boy was it a crazy and fun year, and Karaoke played a HUGE part in that! When I was living in Tokyo, I was addicted to karaoke and I had to sing at least twice a week! Karaoke is everywhere in Japan! They have literally thousands of karaoke places, every train station has at least 4 karaoke establishments adjacent to it. It was karaoke paradise!

But karaoke in Japan is completely different from karaoke in America. Instead of singing in front of everyone at a bar, you had your own private room for you and your friends to sing in. It meant not waiting for 2 hours to sing, all your friends having the opportunity to sing, and being comfortable enough to sing in front of your peers.

So fun! So why aren't there any private room karaoke places in America???

Or maybe there are, but i just don't know it? If you know of any cool private room places in the West Coast, please tell me!

I've been to some karaoke bars and restaurants here in Southern California. But it's just not the same.

Any thoughts on private room karaoke vs. public bar/restaurant karaoke? Advantages and Disadvantages?

I highly recommend visiting Tokyo to see these in action!

Good thing you're addicted, cuz you're in the right site for that! Welcome, KingKaraoke!!

Wow, karaoke does seem extremely popular there! I imagine we don't have anything like that here (at least I don't know of any) because you can go out and buy your own karaoke machine and your "private room" is your home or wherever you choose to hang out with your friends/family. It's probably a lot cheaper than having to rent a room exclusively for singing.

Advantages? Well, for someone taking baby steps, singing in front of family and friends is a good start. But I think soon enough, you want to be able to entertain more people once you have more confidence.

Thanks for letting us know how karaoke works in other countries. That was very interesting.

there are karaoke rooms here in america- there are places in seattle and california to just name a couple... just have to know where to look... -tig

Private room karaoke are common not just in Japan but all over over Asia. In most of this places the bar is a Kareoke joint full time . Many have both private and open singing space so one do have a choice of either doing it public or private.

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

Personally would rather sing to a large audience than a few friends in a room. You get atmosphere in a club, some have full pro-sound systems like what bands have - can't do that in a room. Some have full lighted stages - not in a room. Along with other elements that make clubs more fun - to me anyway.

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yeah lon... wouldn't seem much different than having some friends over at the house and singing karaoke in the living room- without the cost... -tig

Exactly. If you want a private room, use your house, hire a bartender & sing away - would probably cost about the same.

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I absolutely agree!! There are places Here (in Edmonton, Canada) with karaoke room, and I don't like it either. I find the sound isn't as good.... and it's just kinda boring, really. Part of the fun for me is going to see these strangers wasted outta their minds trying to sing in front of everyone... There's just no atmosphere in a private room. AND I find rooms more nerve racking because it's so confined, your audience is RIGHT there! Whereas in a bar or lounge people are just kinda doin their own thing..... the singers are kinda background noise (at least that's what I TELL myself! !)

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hi, it's me again...
the private rooms in tokyo weren't expensive at all. about $3 to $5 per hour per person and all you can sing (of course). They also had all night specials so you can stay all night (from 12 to 5 am and drink as much alcohol as you want for about $14 in your own room with your friends! I took advantage of that a lot because no one really drives in Tokyo and we all take the train and the trains stop at about midnight and start up again at 5 am. Imagine the drunken craziness of all night karaoke!! I miss Tokyo!

I figure, a karaoke machine costs $100+ right? so spending $10 with your friends for 2 hours for all out singing is pretty worth it, considering it's about $10 for a 2 hour movie and $10 for 2 hours of bowling... etc. etc. you get the picture... and you get the added value of leaving your house to experience "nightlife".

would you go even if the price is right? ($5/hour/person)....?

The lack of private room karaoke here stateside may have something to do with liability and safety issues. I read an article in a publication about a private room K-bar in San Francisco that was closed down due to problems with uncontrolled/undraged alcholol consumption, drug use and sexual activities going on in the private rooms. So in that case there seemed to be CONTROL issues in that they were "PRIVATE" rooms, apapretnly with locks on the doors, with no video or other type of surveilance monitoring going on. Perhaps with better montioring/supervision the concept could be made to work moreso. Also there may be issues with $$ costs, etc. I know of one entertainment outfit here in Portland that has been toying with the concept, but haven't heard of any movement to actually making it happen.
Anyway--why sing in a small private room when you can be in front of a big crowd? If you want private room singing-just go buy a portable k-machine and do so at home and save paying at a private room club. Give me the big crowd ANYTIME!

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

yah, but when u go to a BAR, you don't have to pay for time...... Just for drinks and food! !

But u do make a good point..... if I favored the rooms, I wouldnt' mind payin that price...sounds pretty decent.

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Great topic KingKaraoke!!!

I've never been to anyplace with private karaoke other than private parties.

I agree with Lonman, Tigrr27, Crystal & SwingcatKurt and am hitting the "What They Said" button"

For me personally I enjoy the club or private party setting as I enjoy the prospect of meeting new, like-minded people and hearing different styles of singing/music/partying, etc. than that of a limited number of friends. Don't get me wrong, we have sung at home alone and with groups (large & small) of friends but there is nothing like the thrill of enjoying a stranger's talent and, hopefully, them enjoying yours!

Susie

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You do it in the shower,
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Karaoke with Full House Entertainment

[scroll]Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean...... [/scroll]

I've not seen any private karaoke 'booths' in any of the states I've been to. I have seen places to make your own 'video' though - basically a video tape of you doing karaoke with a fixed price.

As for whether I would do it or not, it depends on the size of the room. If I have 20 friends who all pay $5/hour for 2 hours that's $200 for roughly 40-50 songs - a little high. If the party's are smaller - 4-6 people that's still $50-$60 or two spotlight discs at retail price.

If I want some friends to enjoy a small party for karaoke I can invite them to my house - we can select from about 3000 tracks (all legal), use professional mics, mixer, everything. Tell them to bring the booze and munchies which you'd get much cheaper than in the bar.

I could see it working if you streamed the content over a local network and offered a huge catalog. You could volume level all the music in advance, tweak the sound systems and then put basic mic volume/reverb controls on the wall. I think it would go over better as a restaurant where karaoke was the diversion instead of the main attraction (sort of a chuck e cheese for adults?). I'm not saying I wouldn't go once or twice, just that it probably wouldn't be a regular thing for me - I prefer the large crowds and having time to review the book while listening to others singing. Most of my friends are big karaoke people so I usually go by myself or w/ my fiance (I need more karaoke friends that are local!).

I think the biggest reason that you don't see more of them here is most states have very restrictive liquor licenes that would make it difficult to obtain a license for that use... I know oregon and washington liquor control like to have control of every aspect of liquor sales, distribution and supervision... would be interesting to know what exactly are the restrictions, requirements and details of a license like that though... wonder if I can make a few calls and find an answer... will research it more and get back if I find anything out... this info of course would only apply to washington state or oregon, depending on what side of the river I get the infformation on... - tig

ok... here is one of the places I know about in Seattle ( I have never used this place) and I don't think it conflicts with any of the sites sponsors so here is a link http://www.sbkaraoke.com/ ... they do not sell karaoke disks, equipment or anything like that... they rent karaoke rooms and mobiles I think for private parties... this is for informational purposes only anyways (that should cover the disclaimer stuff)... in case the link magically disappears here is the basic info:

PRICES PER HOUR:

TUESDAY - THURSDAY
GROUP SIZE BEFORE MIDNIGHT (AFTER MIDNIGHT $24)
Up To 2 People $12.00
3 People $18.00
4 To 6 People $24.00
More Than 6 People Additional $3.00 per person
When it is a holiday or the day before a holiday, price will be the same as on Friday through Sunday.

FRIDAY - SUNDAY
Up To 8 People $30.00
More Than 8 People Additional $3.00 per person

The minimum charge is for one hour. Customers will be charged for one hour even if they leave before the first hour ends.
After the first hour, customers will be charged by the minute. The price per minutes equal to the hourly price divided by 60.
Sales taxes will be added.


HERE IS THE INFO ON THE LIQUOR PERMIT:

If You Want to Bring Alcoholic Beverages to SBK
You must obtain and bring a valid banquet permit to bring and consume alcoholic drinks at SBK. You can get the banquet permit at a Washington State Liquor Store. We will charge $2.00 per person when you bring alcoholic drinks to SBK with a banquet permit. If you bring alcoholic drinks to SBK without a banquet permit and consume alcohol in the karaoke room, we will charge you $100.00 on top of all other charges and ask you not to consume any more alcohol in the karaoke room. Please do not try to bring and consume alcoholic beverages at SBK without a banquet permit.

No Age Limit
There is no age limit at SBK. Anyone can come to enjoy karaoke in our private karaoke rooms. We welcome everyone, young or old.

You Are Welcome to Bring Your Own Food and Non-alcoholic Drinks
We sell canned and bottled non-alcoholic drinks, but we don't serve any food. However, you can bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks without paying any extra fees.

soooooo that is what the karaoke rooms in seattle are like along with the limitations/rules... just a little more info on what it might be like in other states also... your mileage may vary...-tig

They have some rooms over here in the O.C. in southern calif.After you give em a try check out one of my local shows. I promise you you'll have a better time even with the waiting.........

I personaly wouldnt want to sing in a private room,where the sound system is normaly poor compare to the open bar type.
Other resons being that private room are open to abused; there are things going on behind the door than singing

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

I have a private room now. No problems with alcohol permits either.

When the singing is over, I walk into the bedroom and crash.

Butt, yes, control of "SEX" is primary in any private room setup. How can the athorities allow someone to actually enjoy singing and sex without a "fine" for violating some medieval regulation. Just because it's a "private" room, doesn't mean they let you do anything you want.

Plus, the sound is better in the clubs, and sometimes, the sex is better too.

You go bouyyyy.

good topic. I launched the same theme a few months ago under the title karaoke private rooms and got basically the same replies. It doesn't look as if it could work apart from with east asians(I was in Singapore for a year and very occasionally enjoyed the private room atmosphere). I've heard of this place in East Village Manhattan called Village Karaoke that has many rooms dedicated to karaoke. I've seen pictures and read comments about it on the internet. It looks seedy. I live in Switzerland and wanted to visit last time but my friends refused to be led there...

I kinda like the idea too kingkaraoke but it seems there just aren't enough of us out there. I like the idea of groups getting together in a small setting and sharing the songs, feeling quite intense and just laughing at friends. I know it sounds warped but hey... It's such an easy way of entertainment after dinner out or after work or even whilst having finger food for dinner.

But well, so be it. If it makes you feel better, there aren't places like these in Switzerland either... (am still thinking of opening one though)

Murad