The best karaoke bars in London

There aren’t many places in London where you can bowl, dance, slurp slushies and sing your heart out in a private-ish karaoke booth (glass windows mean everyone can see you, even if they can't hear you) until the wee hours, but Rowans is one of them. This old den of entertainment has been there since 1913, surviving two world wars and even playing host to The Beatles in 1963. It almost got torn down by Harringay council to make way for flats in 2014, but the adoring locals petitioned hard until the council gave in. A local legend. 

Recommended: An oral history of Rowans Tenpin Bowl

For those who enjoy crooning into a hairbrush, but are too shy to take to the stage, Lucky Voice might be the solution. Private ‘pods’ allow groups of four to 12 people to belt out the classics without any fear of embarrassment. Food and drinks are delivered directly to the booth (all you need to do is press the 'thirsty' button) and the cocktail menu is banger-themed. With almost a million songs on the
playlist, there will certainly be a tune you know – so no excuses. Branches in Soho, Holborn, Islington, Liverpool Street and – fittingly for those fond of singing ABBA hits – a newly opened branch in Waterloo. 

If you like the idea of singing with your supper, then you’re in luck. This cult-y Taiwanese restaurant has two private KTV rooms; the smaller room is big enough for 10 people while the larger one can pack in 22. There are over 300,000 songs to choose from, so that should keep everyone busy, as will platters of mini baos, fried chicken buckets, and fries with curry sauce. There is also a hefty drinks menu of spirits, sake bombs and cocktails. Each room is inspired by a different film. The larger takes its cues from Edward Yang’s Taipei Story (1985) and mimics the large Fujifilm billboard from the film via a massive LED screen. The 10 person room features nods to Oliver Stone’s Wall Street (1987) with 1980s themed office decor. Other branches of Bao also have karaoke rooms, so hit up Bao Marylebone, as well as branches in Borough and Shoreditch for more of the same.

A somewhat scruffy but deeply charming pub on the edge of Hackney Downs, with beer from local breweries, burgers and fried chicken from Fireyard BBQ, karaoke and DJs. Upstairs you'll find the private karaoke room, which fits up to 15 people – and yes, they'll bring your pints up the stairs for you so you don't have to miss a minute of the Grease megamix.

With private booths for up to 30 people, and the option to book the whole damn place out, the independent Stokey Karaoke is a lowkey Stoke Newington/Stamford Hill landmark. Props and fancy dress add to the chaotic energy. This subterranean space used to be home to The Cotton Club, and is still run by members of the same family. 

There are five private karaoke rooms at this basement bowling alley under a hotel in Bloomsbury, each with more than 30,000 songs to choose from. It's halfprice on Monday, Tuesday and Sunday, so why not start the week with a singsong on the cheap?

The second in the Karaoke Box stable is far plusher than its, ahem, more traditional Soho original. Fifteen rooms to choose from, fitting from four up to 25 people, plus a swanky VIP room if you and your 14 friends are feeling flush (or just rather important). We love the wireless mics, touch screens and gorgeous white baby grand piano.

Bowling, booze and bites combine at this popular Brick Lane spot, which also offers private karaoke booths accommodating up to seven or 14 singers. Branches in Holborn, Stratford and White City.

There’s a karaoke room that you can hire for up to a dozen people above this much loved Essex Road party pub. The song selection is truly vast, and it even comes with a personal host, so you don’t have to interrupt poring over the songbook in order to go and get a round in. 

Upstairs there's a bar with craft beers, cocktails and wine plus food from Chuck Burger. In the basement, pick from over 20,000 songs to warble through. Keen vocalists can choose from five differently decorated rooms (each with its own disco ball) and two bigger function spaces. The Glam Palace has space for up to 80 and The Backstage Bar can fit 60 punters.