City Cast Chicago logo

The Best Karaoke Bars

Posted on January 17, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Sidney Madden

Sidney Madden

Lily Be and Binke performing on stage

Lily Be and Binkey perform at Karaoke Storytellers at Schubas in Lakeview Dec. 18. (Connor Gorman / Karaoke Storytellers)

Starting tomorrow, Karaoke Storytellers will be hosting weekly open mic nights at Brando’s through March. You can spice up your mid-week with your fav singing-storytelling event co-created by City Cast Chicago’s Jacoby Cochran. Want a different karaoke experience? There’s a Chi bar for you



Best music selection
: Lincoln Karaoke in Lincoln Square
WBEZ’s Susie An: “They have a system which pretty much opens the possibility of any song you could want to sing. It's like a YouTube search.”



Best karaoke crowd
: Louie’s Pub in West Town
Karaoke regular Davo Sounds: “It’s fun and easy to interact with the bar and room when the song is just right. Lots of regulars mixed with larger groups there for the night.”



Best late-night karaoke
: Brando’s Speakeasy in the Loop
Karaoke Storytellers creator Connor Gorman: “It’s open until 2 a.m., seven days a week — it’s always rocking.”



Best booze
: Trader Todd’s in Lakeview East
Davo: “Can’t beat a themed drink and a tiki bar.” 



Best bar to try
: Sakura in Chinatown
Susie: “I’ve heard it’s a happening place. I’m eager to try it!” 

Share article

Hey Chicago

Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

The latest in Chicago

Chicago, ExplainedAugust 28

Take This Week's Chicago News Trivia Quiz

How closely were you paying attention to this week's current events in Chicago? Test yourself in our weekly trivia quiz.

An older photo of Dolly Parton singing into a mic with a purple background
Keep It LocalAugust 27

How To Start Growing Your Own Food

Amid a summer of foodborne illnesses, intense weather, and ever-rising grocery prices, many Chicagoans are exploring ways to grow their o...

A man in a bucket hat and glasses holding vegetables in a large garden
Keep It LocalAugust 27

Your Guide To Chicago’s Garden Shops

From expansive gardening centers to little shops packed with houseplants, it’s not hard to find all the supplies you need to bring some m...

A garden with an assortment of big leafed plants
Keep It LocalAugust 20

How Transit Tees Turns Chicago’s Quirks Into Board Games

From board games about the city’s history to puzzles of iconic maps to card decks featuring local wildlife, Transit Tees’ teams of creato...

A person writing on a gridded paper that says "Chicago 1893" There's also a board game with an assortment of different houses for the board game on it. There is also A bowl of popcorn and a soda on the table
Keep It LocalAugust 20

Your Guide to Chicago’s Toy Stores

From vintage toys to a workshop series for aspiring toy inventors, Here's a list of places that’ll help you spoil the kids in your life a...

A table with an assortment of different stuffed animals
Keep It LocalAugust 13

Your Guide to Chicago’s Stationery Stores

Whether you’re actually going back to school soon or you just love analog hobbies, these local shops will help you find all kinds of stat...

A large group of people inside a store. They are looking at an assortment of items
Food & DrinkAugust 13

5 New Spots to Dine and Drink

Chicago is hot AF right now — and so is the dining scene. These recent openings have caught our eye.

A room with velvet drapes on every wall. On the ceiling there are chandeliers and people are sitting at a booth
Keep It LocalAugust 13

Family-Run Atlas Stationers Has Supplied Chicago’s Pens For Decades

For decades, the family-run shop delivered office supplies in bulk to offices in the Loop.

The outside of a brick building, the sign says "Atlas Stationers Inc"