The Japanese karaoke tradition has transcended boundaries and borders, becoming an incredible social phenomenon across the world, and the city of gold is no exception.

Grab your best buddies and belt out your favourite tunes (in or out of tune) at these fabulous spots hosting regular karaoke nights in and around Joburg:

Karaoke Kong

Karaoke Kong in Melville is a bar and restaurant hotspot featuring food, drinks, good vibes and, of course, karaoke. Founders Herman and Ewoudt, whose careers began in the corporate space, founded the venue in their hope to fill a gap in the Johannesburg social scene.

Now, locals visit regularly to let loose and rock the mic. Karaoke Kong’s digital catalogue features over 50 000 songs from nostalgic classics to today’s chart-topping hits, with 400+ new songs are added each month to the KaraFun catalogue automatically. Once you’ve decided on your songs, simply queue them up on the tablets on-site and wait for your turn to bust a tune.

For group events that you’d like curate a specific theme or vibe for, there are also crafted playlists to choose from to set the perfect vibe for your event.

Karaoke is free every night, as long as you have ordered something from the menu. Bookings for up to 15 can be made online. For larger groups and venue hire, email [email protected]

When: Wednesday & Thursday from 4pm to midnight | Friday & Saturday from 2pm to 2am | Sunday from 3pm to midnight
Where: Karaoke Kong,1 7th Street, Melville

Saigon Suzy

Saigon Suzy is an Asian bbq and rock ‘n roll bar franchise with venues across Gauteng.

Stop by for fabulous food, fun decor and a karaoke night to remember. At Saigon Suzy, karaoke is taken seriously. Step into your own soundproof karaoke booth, where you can belt out bangers in total privacy.

The Cedar Square branch has two karaoke booths: Tokyo Tina and Hanoi Hannah, both of which can accommodate up to 15 people and cost R1000 for one hour and R1800 for two hours.

The Parkwood branch has three rooms: Tokyo Tina in Parkwood also accommodates up to 15 people, costing R1000 for one hour and R1800 for two hours. Hanoi Hannah and Katana Katy are great for smaller groups, accommodating up to 8 people and costing R800 per hour.

Each booth is uniquely decorated and soundproofed featuring a drinks table and a full professional karaoke setup with thousands of songs.

When: Both venues: Sunday to Wednesday from 12pm to midnight | Thursday to Saturday from 12pm to Late
Where: Saigon Suzy Cedar Square, Shop U3 6B Cedar Square Shopping Centre, Cedar Rd, Fourways, Sandton | Saigon Suzy Parkwood, Unit 1, Parkwood Mansions, 144 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood, Johannesburg

Bailey’s Karaoke Nights

Among a regular lineup of live entertainment, Bailey’s in Bedfordview hosts a karaoke night every Wednesday, hosted by Blue Horizon Entertainment.

Come along and experience good food, cold drinks and your favourite songs all in one place. Strictly no u/18a allowed.

When: Wednesdays from 7pm
Where: Bailey’s Bedfordview, 61 Van Buuren Rd, Bedfordview

Banchan Korean Restaurant – Private Noraebang

Banchan Korean Restaurant in Sandton serves up authentic Korean cuisine made with heritage and heart. The beloved venue is equipped with both a Tea Room and a Noraebang or ‘song room’ which can be booked out for a few hours of karaoke.

Songs available are in English, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian and Tagalog, offering a variety of options for those who love and appreciate Asian culture. Rooms are booked per hour, with a small room at R350 an hour, a medium room at R500 an hour and a large room at R1200 an hour.

Book one hour and get 20% off your second hour. Call/WhatsApp 072 913 3269 or email [email protected] to enquire further.

When: Noraebang open hours are Monday to Saturday from 3pm to 10pm
Where: Banchan Korean Restaurant, 108 Victoria Avenue, Parkmore, Sandton, Johannesburg

Karaoke Saturdays at Colony Arms

Colony Arms Pub is made for easy hangs such as after-work drinks, weekend catchups and laid-back nights out.

When Saturday arrives, order a pizza on the menu, buy some drinks and take the stage to belt out your favourite hits.

When: Saturdays from 8pm
Where: Colony Arms, The Woods Centre, 345 Jan Smuts Ave, Craighall, Randburg

Don Pablo’s Mexican Cantina Karaoke Night

Grab the mic, bring the energy and sing your heart out at this midweek fiesta.

From throwback favourites to crowd singalongs, Karaoke Wednesdays at Pablo’s is all about great music, Mexican food, ice cold drinks and making memories with friends. Plus, you may also be in for some great deals on food and drinks.

When: Every Wednesday
Where: Don Pablo’s Mexican Cantina, 6th & 1st Street, Northmead, Benoni

Karaoke Nights at Tiger’s Milk

With branches across the nation, Tiger’s Milk has become a go-to hangout spot, whether on a weekday or weekend. Karaoke-lovers will also be happy to discover that every Tuesday, both the Montecasino and Melrose Arch venues host popular karaoke nights.

Plus, there may be some prizes up for grabs for those brave enough to grab the mic.

When: Tuesdays from 6pm at Melrose Arch and from 7pm to 11pm at Montecasino
Where: Tiger’s Milk Montecasino, Piazza Montecasino, Montecasino Blvd, Magaliessig, Sandton | Tiger’s Milk Melrose Arch, Shop 004H3 4 High Street, Melrose North, Johannesburg

Open Mic Night at Cappello Northcliff

Every Wednesday, Cappello Northcliff hosts an Open Mic Night curated by Lakeside Admire and inviting musicians, dancers, comedians, spoken word poets, MCs and hype men to show what they’re really made of on stage.

A highlight of Open Mic Night is Open Section Karaoke, where any and everyone looking for a simple, good time of singalong hits can participate.

When: Wednesdays from 5pm to 10pm
Where: Cappello Northcliff, Shop 52, Heathway Shopping Centre, C/O Beyers Naudé & Castlehill Dr, Blackheath, Randburg

Urban Oasis Bar + Grill Karaoke Night

Located in the heart of Fourways, Urban Oasis Bar + Grill serves up a menu full of meats, cheeseburgers, delicious onion rings and regular weekly live entertainment.

On Thursday evenings, not only can you stop by for a hearty feast, but you can also sign up for some midweek karaoke.

When: Thursdays from 7pm to 11pm
Where: Urban Oasis Bar + Grill, 277 Church St, Johannesburg North, Johannesburg

Karaoke Central at Time Square Casino

Grab your friends and book a private karaoke night with Karaoke Central, where the music is banging, the drinks are flowing and the vibes are immaculate.

There are a variety of rooms available for you to curate the perfect karaoke experience:

• Small rooms cost R2800 per room and fit up to 10 people. Includes 24 beers, Chinese nuts and fruits
• Medium rooms cost R3600 per room and fit up to 20 people. Includes 24 beers, Chinese nuts and fruits
• Large rooms cost R6800 per room and fit up to 30 people. Includes 72 beers, Chinese nuts and fruits

If you choose not to have beers, you’ll receive a bottle of wine instead. Note that while food is not sold inside Karaoke Central, guests are welcome to bring in food and snacks purchased from other venues within the property.

Make a booking by calling 071 317 4582 or emailing [email protected]

When: Available to be booked from Monday to Sunday, 7.30pm to 2am
Where: First floor, Time Square Casino, Shop G03, Time Square, 209 Aramist Ave, Menlyn, Pretoria

Check out the top live events in and around Joburg