15 Detroit-area karaoke nights for when you're feeling like a star

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, Apr 26, 2019 at 6:53 pm

Did Daisuke Inoue know that when he invented the karaoke machine in 1971 that he had created a monster? Suddenly people who were told they couldn't carry a tune or hold a note now had the power of the microphone and an audience. A cacophony of shrill warbling from someone attempting to hit those Whitney Houston highs and the guttural wails of someone going full Axl Rose ... karaoke is a goddamn beautiful thing.

Maybe you view public singing as an opportunity to tell the world (and your ex) how you really feel, or perhaps those singing lessons have been paying off and you're looking to show off. Hell, even if it's your worst nightmare at least this list can help you to avoid a run-in with a dreaded karaoke joint. At any rate, metro Detroit's karaoke scene is a loud and proud playground.

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Punch Bowl Social

Every night
1331 Broadway St., Detroit; punchbowlsocial.com
Food, booze, games, bowling, and private room karaoke all under one roof located downtown. Impress your out-of-town family with this one-stop entertainment and Sriracha fries shop.
Photo courtesy of Punch Bowl Social by Amber Boutwell

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168 KTV Bistro

Friday-Sunday nights, Monday-Thursday reservation only
32415 John R. Rd., Madison Heights; 168karaoke.com
Remember that scene in Lost in Translation when ScarJo sings the Pretenders and Bill Murray tackles Roxy Music in a private room against the backdrop of a hazy Tokyo skyline? Well, 168 KTV Bistro is as close as metro Detroit gets to recreating that moment, as the Madison Heights spot is Michigan’s only full-service karaoke bar. 168 offers private rooms only, all of which are available for rent most of the week and are open to the public during the weekend.
Photo via 168 KTV Bistro Facebook

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SOHO

Sunday nights
205 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; ferndalesoho.com
Get your gay on at this quintessential LGBTQ+ Ferndale hotspot. Pair some Cher with a $4 Long Island and you’ve got the makings for a fabulous Monday morning hangover.
Photo via SOHO Ferndale Facebook

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Trixie’s Bar

Sunday nights
2656 Carpenter St., Hamtramck; facebook.com/trixiesbarhamtramck
Do you like David Bowie? How about Bowie deep cuts? OK — what if we told you there’s a Detroit karaoke host who is determined to add every goddamn Bowie song to his karaoke catalog, even if that means he has to upload them his damn self? Well, look no further than Sunday night at Trixie's in Hamtramck with host Polish John, who will sing — you guessed it — Bowie (almost as good as the Starman himself).
Photo via Trixie’s Bar Instagram

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UFO Factory

Sunday nights
2110 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; facebook.com/ufofactorydetroit
The mothership has landed. Perhaps the most iconic karaoke spot in Detroit, UFO Factory is home to Jennyoke, and it’s hosted by the incomparable Jen David (Third Wave Music, Jenny & Jackie) and sometimes by artist Natalie Gersabeck (Nattyoke). All are invited to become the superstar of their dreams on the UFO stage. And remember: Take as many bathroom selfies as you want — just don’t miss your turn because this night fills up fast.
Photo via UFO Factory Facebook

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McShane’s Irish Pub

Monday nights
1460 Michigan Ave., Detroit; mcshanespub.com
An Irish pub and karaoke might not seem like the most obvious pairing at first, but upon second thought, it’s totally perfect. This Corktown mainstay is an Irish pub, sports bar, party bus depot, and hot karaoke spot. Throw back a pint and unleash your inner Bono. (Don’t forget the sunglasses!)
Photo via McShane’s Irish Pub Facebook

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Deluxx Fluxx

Tuesday nights
1274 Library St., Detroit; deluxxfluxx.com
To hell with a spotlight. Bask in the blacklight of the Belt’s beloved LSD-inspired basement bar and venue. Each Tuesday, Stef Chura (yes, that Stef Chura) hosts metro Detroit’s aspiring superstars on the same stage that bands like Stella Donnelly, Snail Mail, and post-punk legends Death have rocked out on.
Photo via Deluxx Fluxx Facebook

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3rd Street Bar

Tuesday nights
4626 Third St., Detroit; facebook.com/3rd-street-detroit
Sometimes we forget that Detroit is a bit of a college town. But if you head to 3rd Street Bar on a Tuesday, you will be quickly reminded of this as you are serenaded by the sweet, drunken stylings of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” followed by a flurry of single ladies passing the mic around to sing a Beyonce classic, complete with choreography. Thank goodness karaoke host master Robby Rob will keep the chaos on track.
Photo via 3rd Street Bar Facebook

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Pizza Plex | Haireoke

Wednesday nights
4458 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; coledavishaireoke.com
Don’t wig out, just put a dang wig on it at the Haireoke. Hosted by the incomparable Cole Davis, Haireoke offers a twist on a classic. Davis, a visual/performance artist and comedic emcee, has more than 30 wigs for singers to choose from, as well as wig caps, hair accessories, and bubble and smoke machines, so that anyone can pull off their most convincing Celine, Beyonce, or Dolly — or just use the wig cap to become a shiny, happy, Michael Stipe. Can’t wig out at Pizzaplex? Davis’ haireoke/emcee services are also available for private events.
Cole Davis by Chloe Sells

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Delux Lounge

Wednesday nights
350 Monroe St., Detroit; deluxlounge.com
Shots, shots, shots! This downtown party attracts anyone looking for a party (just peep their cleavage-heavy Instagram feed for proof). Every Wednesday, you can head to Delux to get jiggy with it — or sloppy — with KJ Robby Rob.
Photo via Delux Lounge Facebook

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Circ Bar

Wednesday, Friday, Saturday nights
210 S. First St., Ann Arbor; thecircbar.com
If you’ve ever dreamt of belting Britney Spears’ critically underrated 2008 banger “Circus” while under the ol’ big top, you’ve got your choice of Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday night at Ann Arbor’s the Circ Bar.
Photo via The Circ Bar Facebook

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Ghost Light

Thursday nights
2314 Caniff St., Hamtramck; facebook.com/ghostlighthamtramck
There’s something special about being able to do karaoke on an elevated stage. Maybe it’s being able to look down at all of your adoring fans, or maybe it just raises the stakes in terms of your drunken balance. That being said, Ghost Light has the stage, the lighting, the sound system, and the drinks specials to bring out the recently divorced rage-singing Nic Cage in you!
Photo courtesy of Kaitlyn Valor Bourque

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Mutiny Bar

Thursday nights
4654 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; facebook.com/mutinydetroit
Take a trip to Shantasy Island — where all your karaoke, and tiki, dreams can come true. Hosted by Shan Beaste, karaoke night at Southwest Detroit’s tiki hideout Mutiny Bar is an unlikely haven for Bowie-philes. With more than 28,000 songs and a friggin’ drink called a Scorpion Bowl, what can go wrong? Photo via Mutiny Bar Facebook

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Pop+Offworld

Thursday nights
128 Cadillac Sq., Detroit; poppizzabar.com
Pizza, arcade, games, and karaoke? Have we died and climbed a “Stairway to Heaven”? Grab a pitcher, a slice, and a round of Mortal Kombat before you launch into your best rendition of “Lose Yourself.” (Just don’t lose your gaming tokens.)
Photo via Offworld Facebook

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Sneakers

Saturday nights
22628 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; sneakerspubferndale.com
OK — so this might not be the ideal karaoke night if you want people to bask in your natural, god-given talent. But this Ferndale dive is the perfect opportunity to sing a slightly ironic version of Kid Rock and Sheryl Crowe’s duet, “Picture,” with four of your drunkest bros/babes.
Photo via Sneakers’ Facebook

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