Cities With the Best Karaoke

BetMGM Jan 21, 2025, 4:46 PM
min read
A header image for a campaign about the cities with the best karaoke

There’s nothing quite like a night out at a karaoke bar. Whether you’re belting out a power ballad or just cheering on your friends, karaoke brings people together for an unforgettable experience. To celebrate this beloved pastime, we analyzed review data to find the U.S. cities with the best karaoke offerings.

We found average star ratings and the number of karaoke spots per million residents in major cities to highlight the ultimate destinations for sing-along enthusiasts. So, warm up those vocal cords and join us as we uncover the top karaoke hotspots across the country!

Which Cities Have the Highest-Rated Karaoke?

A U.S. map showing the cities with the highest-rated karaoke

Karaoke is the ultimate go-to for a fun night out. It’s a chance to take the stage, channel your favorite artists, and create (sometimes embarrassing) memories that last. But not all karaoke nights are created equal, so we analyzed Yelp data to find the cities with the highest-rated karaoke spots across the U.S. 

Cities With the Highest-Rated Karaoke

  1. Syracuse, NY – 4.35 out of 5
  2. Baltimore, MD – 4.32
  3. Des Moines, IA – 4.15
  4. Las Vegas, NV – 4.13
  5. Riverside, CA – 4.12

Syracuse takes the top spot with its impressive average rating, proving that this college town knows how to host an unforgettable karaoke night. Baltimore isn’t far behind, with its vibrant nightlife and a tight-knit community of karaoke lovers boosting its reputation. Des Moines makes a surprising appearance in the top three, showcasing how karaoke culture thrives in cities of all sizes.

  1. Detroit, MI – 4.10
  2. San Jose, CA – 4.07
  3. Los Angeles, CA – 4.05
  4. Milwaukee, WI – 4.05
  5. Honolulu, HI – 4.05

Detroit’s love for music extends beyond Motown to its karaoke bars, which boast high praise from locals and visitors alike. Meanwhile, California flexes its entertainment muscle, with San Jose, Los Angeles, and Riverside all making the list. Honolulu rounds out the top 10, with karaoke nights offering both locals and visitors a slice of the island’s lively culture.

Great karaoke spots clearly aren’t limited to traditional entertainment capitals. Smaller cities like Syracuse and Des Moines hold their own, proving that great karaoke experiences can be found almost anywhere.

Which Cities Have the Most Karaoke?

A U.S. map showing the cities with the highest-rated karaoke

Karaoke has become a staple of nightlife culture, giving people a stage to showcase their hidden talents—or simply have a good laugh with friends. Now that we’ve identified the top-rated locations, let’s see what other cities have a thriving karaoke culture by finding out which offers the most karaoke options per 1 million residents. 

Top 5 Cities With the Most Karaoke Bars

  1. Honolulu, HI – 17 per 1 million people
  2. Portland, OR – 6.4
  3. Sacramento, CA – 5.8
  4. Las Vegas, NV – 5.7
  5. Austin, TX – 5.5

Honolulu tops the list by a mile, with 17 karaoke bars per million people—more than double the number of any other city. This isn’t surprising, considering its connection to Japanese culture and the vibrant nightlife in Hawaii. Portland’s quirky personality and emphasis on local businesses make it no surprise that karaoke thrives here, adding a melodic twist to its nightlife. Meanwhile, Sacramento and Austin continue to uphold their reputations as hubs for fun and music. And of course, Las Vegas, known as the entertainment capital of the world, ensures karaoke fans never miss a beat with its abundance of lively venues.

  1. San Jose, CA – 5.1
  2. Spokane, WA – 5.1
  3. New Orleans, LA – 4.8
  4. Des Moines, IA – 4.2
  5. San Diego, CA – 4.0

The second half of the list highlights the growing karaoke scenes in diverse locations. San Jose and Spokane each boast 5.1 karaoke bars per million residents, offering plenty of opportunities for locals to embrace their inner performers. New Orleans, known for its music culture, seamlessly incorporates karaoke into its nightlife offerings while Des Moines continues to punch above its weight in our study, proving that even smaller cities have a strong love for karaoke.

From Honolulu’s karaoke dominance to the vibrant scenes in Portland and New Orleans, these cities highlight the places where karaoke culture truly thrives. Whether it’s a night out with friends or an impromptu solo performance, these hotspots ensure everyone has a chance to take the mic.

The Highest-Rated Karaoke Near Large Cities

No matter where you are, finding the perfect karaoke spot can turn an average night into an unforgettable one. Whether you’re planning a night out in your hometown or adding a musical twist to your next vacation, we’ve got you covered.

Curious to see the top karaoke bar near your city? Use our interactive table above to search by location or sort the data and uncover where the mic shines brightest. With a mix of cozy lounges and lively bars, these top-rated locations are ready to help you steal the spotlight.

 

Closing Thoughts

Karaoke is a go-to option for a night of laughs, music, and memories. Whether you’re harmonizing with a classic in Vegas or singing your heart out in Spokane, some cities offer an experience that truly stands out. From the highest-rated karaoke spots to the cities with the most options, this study highlights where the mic really shines.

If music is your passion, BetMGM has even more ways to keep the fun going. With a variety of music-themed online slots and casino games, you can turn your love for melodies into a chance to win big—all from the comfort of your own home.

Ready to strike the right chord? Explore BetMGM’s music-themed slots, check out other online casino games, or grab a casino welcome bonus to get started. The stage—and the winnings—are yours!

Methodology

To determine the cities with the best (and most) karaoke bars, we scraped thousands of Yelp listings and found the star-ratings and total number of them near large metro areas in the U.S. We averaged the star-ratings and positioned the total number of karaoke bars against the population to allow for more accurate comparisons city to city.

Our final list of karaoke bars that were analyzed listed “Karaoke Bar” as one of their primary services and had at least 10 Yelp reviews. That means that restaurants that don’t advertise as having karaoke were excluded from the study.

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