5 Best Karaoke Bars on the Westside

There are two types of people in this world: those who love karaoke and those who don’t.

I love it.

And for those of us who love being cover band singers minus the cover band, there are two different ways you can get your sing on.  One is the more traditional form of karaoke where you and some friends rent out a booth and take turns crooning to each other.  The other, which I consider to be the only real way to do it, is dive bar karaoke.

Take a run-down bar with two beers on tap (if you’re lucky), sticky carpet saturated in spilt beer, dingy lighting (not on purpose, but because half the bulbs have burnt out), and, please, cash only.  Add a big screen TV and a couple monitors.  Throw in a makeshift stage with hand-me-down microphones.  And, finally, a computer chocked full of your favorites from “867-5309 (Jenny)” to “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” and you’ve got yourself a prime spot for amateurs getting their moment in the spotlight, seven days a week, from nine-to-close.

Bring your A-game to these great spots:

#5 -Backstage Bar and Grill (Culver City) – It’s cramped, loud, and has an extensive song book.  So, pretty much exactly what you’re looking for in a karaoke dive bar.  It usually has a diverse and energetic crowd, which makes for a nice variety in song choices.

#4* – Caffe Brass Monkey (Koreatown) – A Los Angeles staple.  This hotspot hosts karaoke every single night of the week and boasts one of the best songbooks I’ve ever seen.  Always a great crowd – no matter what the night – eager and willing to sing along with you and provide ego-boosting applause after your rollicking rendition of “Living on a Prayer.” (Also, prepare to hear crickets if you get into the extended version of “Whole Lotta Love.”) Get there early and put your name in as soon as you sit down otherwise you might be waiting quite a while to sing.  Great spot for parties as they take reservations for tables (which usually gets preferential treatment by the karaoke DJ).

#3 – Sports Harbour – (Marina Del Rey) – There will always be a special place in my heart for this wannabe sports bar, as it was the first place where I was introduced to karaoke here in Los Angeles.  No stage.  No dancing room.  And no real area at all that one would expect would be used for karaoke at all – you’re forced to stand in the wide walkway between the front area and the back room that houses the pool tables and arcade basketball.  And, it’s only available on Tuesday nights.  But, perhaps that’s what makes it such a great spot to visit, assuming you can handle making it into work the following morning.  A few years ago, this would’ve been my #1 pick without a doubt, but it has fallen off lately.  Even still, the DJ is one of the friendliest around and always remembers a face (sometimes even your name).  If you’re with a few friends and you’re looking to sing a bunch of songs, this is still the place to go.  It’s hit-or-miss with the crowd, but on a good night, there are some interesting characters who will surprise you with their vocal prowess.  Free drinks have been known to reward the best singers of the night.

#2 - The Gaslite (Santa Monica) – This place takes it up a notch and combines karaoke with a dance party.  Throw in a steady influx of college students from UCLA and you’ve got yourself a volatile cocktail of fun.  Gaslite also has a true stage, putting you high above the crowd who – provided you pick the right song – will be shaking and grooving right in front of you as you belt out the tunes making you truly feel like you’re THE show in town.  Singing “Sweet Caroline” will guarantee you high fives and maybe even a new best friend (for the evening).

And, now: the NUMBER ONE karaoke dive bar on the Westside:

Boardwalk 11 – (Palms/Mar Vista) – This place has it all.  True, it’s not quite dingy enough to be a true dive bar, but don’t let that stop you.  With it’s lounge vibe, expert DJing skills by Justin (who keeps the songs moving without much buffer in between), a prompt waitstaff who will surprise you with their vocal chops, and a giant stage replete with a stool for those “More Than Words” moments and two mic stands for those “Dude Looks Like a Lady” performances, Boardwalk 11 has it all.  It’s also the biggest venue on the list and takes some courage – liquid or otherwise – to get up there, but the experience is totally worth it.  If you’re looking to be a rockstar for an evening, this is where you want to go.

Dishonorable Mention – Dimple’s (Burbank) – I know that this place is all the way over in Burbank, but people everywhere talk about Dimple’s when someone mentions karaoke.  Don’t listen to them.  Trust me, it’s not worth it.  Overpriced, impersonal, ridiculous dress code (someone tell the owners it’s not a club, it’s a karaoke joint), and a horrible floorplan, Dimple’s just doesn’t make the cut.

I’m always game for trying out a new karaoke venue, so if you have a solid recommendation, please let me know.  Until then, see you at the Boardwalk.

*Gets knocked down a spot for being all the way over in Koreatown and having terrible parking.