Maeve Bauer, Spectrum Editor
Richmond is full of bars catered to people from all walks of life, and on any given day there is bound to be at least one hosting karaoke.
Whether you are old, young, gay, straight, an emo or a “normie,” karaoke does not discriminate. Everyone needs to escape the stress of city life and office cubicles now and then — why not do it on stage to your favorite song, voice cracking and beer in hand in front of all your friends?
The Commonwealth Times’ guide to singing karaoke every day of the week has options.
Sunday
Skybox
9 p.m. – 2 a.m. — 1911 W. Main St.
According to Malik Robinson — also known as Big Bone — who bartends at several spots around town, Skybox is one of the few bars in Richmond that will consistently play hip hop and r&b music.
Buddy’s Place
10 p.m. – 1 a.m. — 600 N. Sheppard St
To be honest, the CT has yet to go to Buddy’s but according to their website they have been around since 1976 and they cater to the young and young at heart.
Bryan Park Bar & Grill
6: 30 p.m. – 12 a.m — 5516 Lakeside Ave
Monday
Buddy’s Place
10 p.m. – 1 a.m. — 600 N. Sheppard St
Tuesday
Get Tight Lounge (every first Tuesday)
9 p.m. – 2 a.m — 1104 W. Main St.
For all the cowboys, cowgirls and cowtheys; stop by Get Tight the first Tuesday of the month to sing about your broken heart and rusty truck at their western-themed karaoke nights.
Sticky Rice
11 p.m. – 2 a.m. — 2232 W. Main St.
Sticky Rice is a sushi bar by day and a social bar by night. For those who want to sing karaoke but are not ready for the limelight, Sticky Rice is what you make of it.
You may also find The CT staff there after production, if we make it out the newsroom before 1 a.m. …
Babes’ of Carytown
9 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. — 3166 W. Cary St.
The longest-running lesbian bar on the East Coast, Babes’ serves the queer community of one of Richmond’s most beloved districts, Carytown. Their karaoke starts after trivia, on the night dubbed “Industry Tuesday” on their Instagram.
Harlem Blue’z
7 p.m. – 10 p.m. — 210 W. Brookland Park Blvd.
Wednesday
Bandito’s Burrito Lounge
10 p.m. – 1:30 a.m — 2905 Patterson Ave.
Located over in the Museum District is a delicious (and affordable) burrito joint that doubles as a venue for punk shows. However, if you do not have the talent to take the stage for a paying audience, stop by on Wednesdays from 10:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Helen’s Restaurant
2527 W. Main St.
After taking a short break from karaoke, Helen’s will be opening up the stage again on Wednesdays. Only a short 10 blocks away from VCU’s Monroe Park Campus, Helen’s, which has been operating since the 30s. The bar has become a staple for debriefing over brunch after a late night out in Richmond.
R. I. P. Ipanema
Ipanema was one of Richmond’s most popular place for late night Karaoke was sadly closed in February of last year. This artsy vegetarian restaurant is widely missed and with each song sung we remember it’s legacy.
Thursday
Barcode
8 p.m.- 1 a.m. — 6 E. Grace St.
If you are gay, or a fierce ally, and looking for some dive bar karaoke, look no further than Barcode. According to Malik Robinson (again, Big Bone), Barcode’s karaoke night sets itself apart because of the support that patrons share with each other.
Performers stand on a stage with a mic in hand and the attention of everyone in the room. The words are played on several TVs throughout the bar and a sign-up code is shown between sets, with the queue rising to upwards of 40 people on busy nights, according to Robinson.
You will find Andrew Saunders there every Thursday in the D.J. booth. He is the director of operations for Painted Red Promotions, who have been collaborating with Barcode for three years.
Saunders said most Barcode-goers find the event therapeutic, especially the younger groups coming in.
“I’ve got this young group who comes in, like 15 of them, and it is a beautiful thing cause they all sing individually and every time it’s somebody from their group singing, they all approach the stage as if they’re like the first three rows at a concert,” Saunders said, “You can tell this is therapeutic for them, they’re living up fantasies up there.”
Penny Lane
9:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. — 421 E. Franklin St.
Do you ever wish Richmond, VA, was more like Richmond, United Kingdom? (shoutout Michael Belle.) Well then, do we have the bar for you!
Penny Lane is an authentic English pub, with Beatles, bangers, mash, fish, chips, pints and, of course, karaoke. The lovely Liverpool location gives guests a cozy atmosphere to sing along to their favorite ditties alongside some nice chaps.
New York Deli
9 p.m. – 2 a.m. — 2920 W. Cary St.
You can stop by at lunchtime for a sandwich and then come back at night to be a star. The vibes here have been described as being more like clubbing than your average karaoke night, so if you yearn for the club, yearn no further.
Bryan Park Bar & Grill
6 p.m. – 12 a.m — 5516 Lakeside Ave
They also have trivia!
Fallout
9 p.m. – 2 a.m. — 117 N. 18th St.
For the dreadful and the macabre, stop by Fallout for their Goth Karaoke Nights.
For those who want to party but still haven’t hit the milestone of 21, Fallout’s Karaoke nights are 18+, so as long as you have an ID you can come in and sing some Evanescence.
Friday
My Noodle & Bar
11 p.m. – 2 a.m. — 1600 Monument Ave Apt 204
Located in a little underground nook in Richmond’s Fan District is a delectable Thai restaurant My Noodle. They hold Karaoke every Friday and Saturday night.
This botanical- boozed filled -basement is the perfect place for a night of good food, drink and company.
It is a great spot to meet new people, according to Jayson Willow and Bea Saunders, two met at My Noodle’s karaoke night.
“We both just ended up meeting here, and then after the second or third time we were like, ‘we should be friends,’” Willow said.
Willow enjoys My Noodle because of the memories he has tied to the restaurant, which have helped him find confidence.
Saunders shares that sentiment, claiming My Noodle as her “church.”
Thirsty’s Queer Bar
7 p.m. – 2.a.m — 3516 Forest Hill Ave.
Saturday
My Noodle & Bar
11 p.m. – 2 a.m. — 1600 Monument Ave Apt 204
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Commonwealth Times does not encourage underage drinking. Students under the age of 21 can visit commonwealthtimes.org to learn about alternative, alcohol-free events.
CORRECTION: The original version of this story said Fallout karaoke nights take place on Fridays. They actually take place on Thursdays. This story has been updated with the correct information.
The original version of this story listed that Helen’s was taking a hiatus, it has now been updated to reflect their new karaoke hours.