The 7 Best Karaoke Bars in Canberra for the Nights When You Want to Sing Your Heart Out
Ever have those days when a song just gets stuck in your head and it just refuses to leave no matter what you do? Speaking from experience, the easiest way to eject it from your system is to belt it out.
And what better place to do it than at a karaoke bar? Here, you can keep the drinks flowing while the tunes are blasting.
Whether you pour your feelings into a moving rendition of a classic ballad or you just feel like screaming the lyrics to the latest chart-topper, this is the place to let it all out.
Since we’ve already done the research for you, it’ll be as easy as grabbing a group of your friends and going out for a night to remember. Listed below are the best karaoke bars in the capital that are sure to satisfy your inner performer.
1. 88mph
– Media credit: 88mph.bar
Address: 8/10 Hobart Place
Contact details: +61 2 6179 8973
Operating Hours:
- Thursday to Saturday – 8:00 PM to 3:00 AM
- Sunday to Wednesday – Closed
If you’re feeling nostalgic for the music of yesterday, then we’ve got the perfect place for you. 88 mph is an 80s-themed bar that’s full-on retro, from its food to its decor.
Prepare your eyes because the moment you step in, everything’s going to be bathed in neon light. Funny enough, one look around the dance floor and it’s going to be obvious that a lot of their patrons weren’t even born in the 80s.
It just shows how great the music of the 80s was, so why not celebrate the greatest hits of the era in one of their karaoke rooms? They’ve got it all, from Michael to Madonna.
You can choose one of their private rooms, depending on how big your group is. They have huge ones that can accommodate up to 20 people.
These come with priority entry, drinks, and plush benches that you can relax on when you get too tired from dancing around. Just take note that these rooms are strictly for people ages 18 and up.
Pro tip:
Even though reserving a karaoke room gives your group full bar and bottle service, we highly recommend getting the party package. This comes with multiple cocktail towers that will surely kick your singing session up a notch.
2. Hey Show Karaoke
– Media credit: heyshow_karaoke
Address: 27 East Row, City Walk
Contact details: +61 2 6230 0901
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Thursday to Sunday – 2:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Hey Show Karaoke is dedicated to making their customers’ pop star dreams come true. They don’t even close for holidays, so you can vocalize here all 365 days of the year.
You won’t have to settle for less since they only use the latest professional-level singing equipment for their karaoke rooms.
They’ve also got an impressive selection of songs, with over 350,000 tracks. This includes songs in other languages, such as Japanese, Korean, and Chinese.
Customers can choose from rooms of different sizes, starting with their smallest rooms, which can accommodate 1 to 7 patrons. On the other hand, their largest rooms can accommodate more than 20 people.
While you’re singing, you can order from their menu which has a nice assortment of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. They also serve snacks such as shredded squid, fish tofu, crispy anchovy, and fried dough twists.
Pro tip:
Hey Show Karaoke sees its fair share of special occasions. So if you plan on celebrating an event here, give them a heads up and they can decorate a private room especially for you and your group.
3. Transit Bar
– Media credit: transitbar
Address: 143 London Circuit
Contact details:
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Friday to Saturday – 3:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Sunday to Monday – Closed
Transit Bar started as a small local haunt for gigs and live music. Today, they’ve expanded a bit to cater to a bigger crowd, while still staying true to their roots.
They still have local and touring bands playing from time to time, but throughout the week, they also have events lined up for people with other interests. This includes trivia nights, open mic comedy nights, themed events, pool competitions, and more.
And at least once a week, they hold karaoke nights where everyone can try their hand at singing. The bar’s lively atmosphere and high-energy crowd are enough to get any karaoke performer pumped.
While waiting for your turn at the mic, you can have your pick from their pub menu. They’ve got the classics: burgers, pizza, and pasta. You can also check out their bar chalkboard for their specials of the week.
Pro tip:
Transit Bar has a great selection of famous beers and cocktails, but many don’t know that they also carry some amazing locally-made boutique beers. You can just ask their staff about it and they’ll happily serve you some of their finest Canberra craft beers.
4. Blue Eyes
– Media credit: blueeyescbr
Address: 1/5 Garema Place
Contact details: +61 447 447 500
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Thursday – 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Friday to Saturday – 4:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Sunday to Monday – Closed
Blue Eyes is bringing the glamor of 1920s Hollywood into modern-day Canberra. This moody jazz bar promises nights full of grand celebrations and fabulous festivities.
The place itself is intimate without ever feeling too crowded. There’s enough space to swing dance to the bar’s live jazz music, while people can still catch up casually and indulge in some champagne.
However, the real party happens in the Sinatra Room, which can be booked for up to 20 people. They’ve got tailored packages depending on the kind of event you’re hosting, and they’ll even help out with customizing their menu for you.
In the room, there’s a wall-mounted TV that can turn into your party’s karaoke setup. Feel like a crooner as you serenade your guests in this opulent space. Younger folks don’t have to worry though as they also have a selection of more modern tunes.
With its glittering lights and wonderful atmosphere, it’s a unique place that can elevate a simple karaoke session into a classy night to remember.
Pro tip:
Blue Eyes is known for serving some of the best cocktails in the capital, and now you can unlock the secrets behind them too. They hold custom cocktail masterclasses every week where you can learn how to wow future guests with unique flavors.
5. Cornerstone Pub
– Media credit: cnrstonecbr
Address: 51 Hinder Street, Gungahlin
Contact details: +61 2 6147 5518
Operating Hours:
- Thursday to Saturday – 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday to Wednesday – Closed
Cornerstone Pub is one of the best places to go to in Gungahlin for those weekends when you don’t have anything specifically planned. You’re guaranteed to find fun here, along with some great comfort food.
They have all your favorite classic Australian dishes, best paired with one of their local craft beers or a glass from their surprisingly good wine list. Just make sure that you eat a lot because as soon as the live music starts, it’s not going to stop.
Every Friday, plenty of people flock here to be part of their karaoke night. It’s the type of crowd that dances along and rocks out with all the singers that come up to the stage. It gets even crazier once happy hour starts.
If you end up enjoying the place a lot, you can also try out some of their other events. They have many activities such as themed events and game nights where you can keep the fun going.
Pro tip:
On the days when the pub gets full, you can head to the balcony for a breath of fresh air. They’ve got a ping-pong table there that loses its ping-pong balls frequently. If this happens, you can just ask the bar for another one.
6. The Durham Castle Arms Pub
– Media credit: ozgroundhopping
Address: Kingston Shops, 52-54 Jardine Street, Kingston
Contact details: +61 2 6295 1769
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 1:00 AM
For over 30 years, The Durham Castle Arms Pub has been a staple in Kingston. It perfectly replicates an English pub, and you’ll forget that you’re still in Canberra when you set foot inside.
Since 2023, it’s become the home of the Ale Mary Brewing Co. Many customers love to pair these high-quality hand-crafted beers with the pub’s signature steaks, parmis, and burgers.
On most days, the pub is full of regulars who are either getting their fill of the bar’s daily specials or attending the trivia night. They’re known for their quirky pop culture categories, such as The Simpsons, Friends, and Star Wars.
But on every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, the pub’s usual laid-back atmosphere transforms. This is when karaoke night happens and the whole place starts jumping.
Make sure to try their special karaoke night cocktails so that you get extra confidence to face all those high notes.
Pro tip:
Above all else, The Durham is still a classic pub. So if your game is on, just let them know and they’ll put it on one of their bar TVs.
7. Holey Moley Golf Club Canberra
– Media credit: coffeewithfriends_bris
Address: Canberra Centre, 148 Bunda Street
Contact details: +61 2 7202 7798
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday – 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Holey Moley is the go-to in Canberra for mini-golf, but did you know that they dabble in karaoke as well? This quirky establishment, known for its crazy, colorful golf holes, now offers one of the best karaoke experiences in the capital.
You and your friends can book one of their private rooms which can accommodate up to 15 people. It comes with disco balls, funky lighting, and a high-quality sound system that can make anyone’s voice sound angelic.
Take it to the next level and set the stage with some props. They provide free-to-use accessories, like wigs, glasses, and costumes, to help you elevate your performance.
When you and your mates get hungry, it’s as easy as scanning a QR code and ordering from your phone. Their bar is next door and they can deliver any snacks or beverages right to your private room.
Pro tip:
In case you’re blanking on what your next song is going to be, you can just consult Holey Moley’s Top 20 list.
They regularly update it with the most popular hits in their private rooms, which include ABBA’s Dancing Queen, Wannabe by the Spice Girls, and even Disney tunes like Let It Go from Frozen.