Nashville’s Best and Most Popular Karaoke Bars
Nashville is called Music City for a reason. It’s a major hub of the music industry and an amazing place to catch a live show. It’s also a great place to sing karaoke. Whether you’re visiting from out of town or a local looking to pick up a new hobby, we have a list of some of the best and most popular karaoke spots throughout the city.
What makes a great karaoke bar?
Before we get into the list, let’s talk about what goes into making a great karaoke experience. There are plenty of bars that offer karaoke, but not all of them are the same. Everyone will have different preferences when it comes to what makes a great karaoke bar, but there are a few factors we feel make a bar extra special.
Song Selection
Choosing the right song is key to a good karaoke performance. Bars with a wide selection of songs allow you to select a track that you feel confident singing. Some places even allow you to adjust the song’s key to better suit your voice.
Clientele
Singing in front of strangers can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if your audience is less than welcoming. The culture that bars encourage can shape their clientele and your singing experience. Karaoke spots that encourage good audience etiquette and friendly spaces are often much more enjoyable places to sing.
Vibe
The style and energy of a space can do a lot to set you on edge or put you at ease. Some singers will prefer a small, quiet room. Others want the energy of a crowded downtown bar. You may enjoy the simplicity of a dive bar or the immersiveness of a themed room.
The Host
The host is the single most important element in a great karaoke bar; they’re responsible for establishing all of the other factors that go into a good karaoke night. Friendly, organized karaoke hosts can help even the shyest, most nervous singers have an amazing experience. A great host will set the vibe and help singers feel welcome by encouraging audience support and participation, no matter how skilled or confident the performer is. A welcoming, supportive atmosphere makes taking the mic far less intimidating, and a great host can step in to offer additional encouragement when a singer gets stuck or freezes up. A less-than-ideal host won’t keep an event organized or positive, and many will move singers up in line if they tip enough. Performers who don’t have the cash for a bribe may find themselves waiting for hours for their song.
Nashville’s Best and Most Popular Karaoke Bars
Sid Gold’s Request Room - Love Your Voice’s favorite karaoke bar
Sid Gold’s is easily one of the most unique karaoke bars in Nashville and our favorite. Unlike most karaoke bars that use pre-recorded tracks, Sid Gold’s features talented live pianists. These experienced musicians can often adjust the key of your song and will follow your tempo. If you’ve never had the pleasure of singing with a live accompanist, it’s an experience worth trying. Some singers will find it challenging, but this is a wonderful way to expand your skill set and learn how to perform with other musicians.
Evenings at Sid Gold’s usually start with performances by local musicians (often the ones who will accompany singers later that night). After the show, it’s time for karaoke performers to take the stage (9 PM most nights, 6 PM on Fridays). The room has a comfortable, retro feel and an excellent drink menu - including several delicious alcohol-free options - making it as great a place to hang out and listen as it is to perform. Sid’s is also known for their themed nights, which range from breakup songs to Disney hits. Our students are particularly fond of these (as are we).
The Lipstick Lounge
This East Nashville classic has been going strong for 22 years and counting. A self-described “bar for humans,” Lipstick is, first and foremost, a welcoming community space for people of all colors, creeds, gender identities and expressions, and sexual orientations. The inviting, community-focused nature of the bar makes it a popular spot for karaoke enthusiasts and general bar-goers alike.
Although you can sing along to your favorite songs every night of the week, Lipstick isn’t exclusively a karaoke bar. Songwriters and bands take to the stage most nights, and you can attend drag quiz shows and trivia on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Lipstick Lounge was rated both the Best Karaoke and the Best LGBTQ Bar of 2024 in the Nashville Scene’s annual Best of Nashville rankings, and we can understand why. If you’re looking for a supportive, energetic, and colorful karaoke experience, Lipstick is hard to beat.
Santa’s Pub
Despite the Christmas-y name, Santa’s Pub is a year-round staple in Nashville. This delightfully divey bar is a popular spot with locals and tourists alike. Located in a double-wide in Wedgewood-Houston, Santa’s offers cheap beer and good music to patrons, including the occasional celebrity.
The bar prides itself on its warm atmosphere and hospitality, with the owner (Santa himself) still tending the bar 14 years after the watering hole first opened its doors. The friendly atmosphere extends to the stage: there’s no beer, smoking, or cussing allowed on stage. The bar is cash-only but an ATM is available on-site if you need to refill your wallet. If you want an authentic Nashville karaoke experience without the touristy glitz of Downtown, and the chance of spotting a music megastar (yes they do come to Santa’s when in Nashville), Santa’s Pub is the spot for you.
AJ’s Good Time Bar
Owned by the Country star Alan Jackson, AJ’s Good Time Bar is an ode to the classic Nashville honky tonk. Located in an historic building (the oldest on Broadway), AJ’s taps into the city’s long tradition of Country Music and great bars. The venue has three stories plus a rooftop bar and patio, with the third floor devoted to the nautically themed Hullbilly Karaoke Bar. Singers can order a drink from the boat-shaped bar while listening to their fellow karaoke performers.
Although relatively new to scene, AJ’s Good Time Bar is quickly becoming a popular spot for karaoke enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a Downtown karaoke experience, AJ’s Good Time Bar honors Music City’s honky tonk tradition with the fun of a modern, themed bar.
Wild Beaver Saloon
A short walk north of Broadway, the Wild Beaver Saloon has two claims to fame: its world-class karaoke and a mechanical bull. The welcoming, fun atmosphere has been attracting singers (and aspiring bull riders) since 2006. The bar’s location close to but not on Broadway makes it a popular spot for bachelor/ette parties and regular bar-goers alike. Wild Beaver was even featured in Little Mix’s “No More Sad Songs” music video.
The saloon is open six days a week with karaoke every night. Grab a drink from one of the Beaver Girls tending the bar, take a spin on the mechanical bull, or just sing your favorite song solo or with friends.
WannaB’s
Located in Tequila Cowboy Bar & Grill, WannaB’s is one of Nashville's most recommended karaoke spots. It’s also one of the only karaoke bars directly on Broadway, making it an excellent option if you’re spending an evening honky tonkin’. With visitors from around the world and the occasional celebrity drop-in, it’s as good a spot to people-watch as it is to sing your favorite song.
Unlike many venues that don’t start their karaoke nights until late in the evening, WannaB’s stage opens at noon from Thursday to Sunday. The venue also has its own dedicated space and bar within Tequila Cowboy, meaning you won’t have to worry about karaoke night being canceled for a live show. Some reviews mention that slow songs aren’t allowed after 7 or 8 PM. We can’t confirm whether this rule is unique to a particular DJ or a house policy, but keep it in mind if you’re planning a visit.
Lonnie’s Western Room
Lonnie’s Western Room has been a Printer’s Alley staple for decades - 35 years and counting. Before it became a karaoke bar, the space was home to the VooDoo Room piano bar. The bar has been featured in magazines and photoshoots and was voted the best karaoke bar by Nashville Scene readers in 2016. While many, if not most, of the venues on this list are 21+, Lonnie’s is only 18+, allowing younger singers to take the mic.
This classic Nashville dive bar is an easy walk to the neon lights of Broadway and is right in the thick of Printer’s Alley, Nashville’s oldest nightlife district. While not as famous as Music City’s main strip of honky tonks, Printer’s Alley has been the place to see great live music and get a strong drink since the 1940s. If you’re looking for a uniquely Nashville karaoke experience in one of the city’s most exciting historic neighborhoods, you’ll enjoy your time at Lonnie’s.
Ready to make your karaoke dreams a reality?
Whether you’re a local looking for a place to try out a new hobby or a tourist seeking an immersive Music City experience, we think you’ll enjoy these karaoke bars. This is just a small sample of Nashville’s dozens of karaoke bars, and while these may be some of the most popular, there are plenty of other excellent karaoke events to explore. If you want help to build your confidence or find your perfect karaoke song, reach out and set up a lesson today. And no matter what or where you sing, always remember to love your voice.