Welcome to Off Key NYC!

Karaoke Collage

There are hundreds of karaoke bars and private rooms in New York City. We're here to help you figure out which ones are the best and which ones you should stay clear of.

Before you can decide on which venue you want to spend the night crooning to your heart's content in, it would be helpful to know whether you want a bar or a private room. Here are some reasons why you might choose one over the other.

Bars

  • You enjoy watching other people make fools of themselves.
  • You enjoy other people watching you make a fool of yourself.
  • One song is all you can muster.
  • You are actually a talented singer and you need to get ready for the next round of American Idol auditions.
  • Potentially cheaper.*
  • There can be a great sense of community.

Private Rooms

  • Your friends won't judge you as harshly as strangers will when you sing off-key. Right?
  • You can sing a song you know damn well you've only heard three times.
  • If you studied a foreign language in high school, you can try singing (butchering) a song in that language.
  • The song selection is usually better.
  • TAMBOURINES.
  • You need a dress rehearsal before you hit the karaoke bar.
  • Better value.*

* A lot can go into the cost of a night (or mid-afternoon) of karaoke. Bars usually charge per song; sometimes bribery is involved. Private rooms are paid for by the hour. That being said, it is possible to perform at a bar like Stout or O'Flanagan's and not spend any money but you'll probably sing no more than two songs. You can spend $14 at Karaoke Duet and sing for 6 hours (theoretically). How much you'll spend on beverages will be based on your level of self-confidence and tolerance.