8 Top Karaoke Bars in Cape Town Where You Can Unleash Your Inner Superstar

Our pick of Mother City venues hosting sing-song nights

First thing’s first – karaoke is actually quite a lot of fun. Most people know this; they just refuse to admit it. What people might not know is that the Mother City is home to quite a few bars and pubs where closet pop stars can warm their vocal cords and have a good time with friends.

So without further ado, here is an outline of the top karaoke venues in Cape Town (P.S.: don’t miss the funny karaoke videos we picked out for you at the bottom of this article).

TOP KARAOKE BARS IN CAPE TOWN

Aces ‘n’ Spades

Ditch the loofah that doubles as a mic, abandon the shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body scrub, razor, exfoliating bars and in-shower moisturiser as your audience and head to this cool rock ‘n roll bar for some kick-ass karaoke. This inner-city watering hole offers music lovers the chance to see just how much fun they can have on the stage at their weekly karaoke nights! Every Wednesday, from 8pm, aspiring rockers and air guitarists can take to the stage and enjoy their 15 minutes of fame… or more like three to four minutes, depending on the length of the song. Happy hour runs from 8pm to 10pm to make sure performers get their dose of Dutch courage before stepping into the spotlight. All alcohol is half price, including the delicious house lager and pilsner Aces ‘n’ Spades has on tap. What’s more, on the last Wednesday of every month, Aces ‘n’ Spades invites a live band to perform the backing track for karaoke performers to jam along to, giving ametuer artists a concert-like experience. Every Wednesday you can pull into this rock-edge dive bar for free live band performances.

Entrance Fee: Free

Karaoke Times: Wednesday: 8pm – 10pm

General Opening Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 8pm – 2am

62 Hout Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 424 1620

On A Roll
Not only does this American-style diner serve up gourmet hot dogs and other tantalising grub, but it also gives those wanting to offer their best renditions of Seal’s ‘Kiss from a Rose’ and other classics a chance to rock out on stage on a Monday evening. Giving amateur singers access to a huge selection of tracks, this eatery’s sing-song evenings are free and relaxed, so karaoke personality types (this exists) who are shy on stage can flex their performance muscle comfortably. And if your vocal cords (and tummy) need some warming up, you can tuck into items from On A Roll’s menu, which features options like spare ribs, slow-cooked pork belly, burgers, milkshakes, frozen mojitos, drafts and more, all of which make it a great place to ease into the work week.

Entrance Fee: Free

Karaoke Times: Monday: 8pm – 11pm

General Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 3pm – late; Saturday: 1pm – late

78 Durban Road | Little Mowbray | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 685 9916

Trenchtown
This Caribbean-style restaurant and hangout spot in the vibey Cape Town suburb of Observatory hosts a regular karaoke evening on Thursdays. Starting at 8pm, the event is filled with laughs, good food, great drinks and, of course, the chance to enjoy a night in front of the mic. If you need some support, bring your friends along and soak up the laidback atmosphere, dig into the half-price pizza, happy hour tipples (the special runs from 5pm to 7pm) and other scrumptious items (like burgers, chilli poppers and nachos) while you gear up to dazzle folk with your performance.  

Entrance Fee: Free

Karaoke Times: Thursday: 8pm – 1am

General Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 12pm – late

92 Station Road | Observatory | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 448 0516

Dizzys
If you can bray-ke it down like a donkey on the dance floor, you’ll love Dizzys’ Tight Ass Tuesdays! Named after the original ass that was once stabled where the historical pub now sits, Tight Ass Tuesdays is a celebration of all things karaoke. With a highly esteemed host and plenty of drinks specials to vibrate your vocals, there’s no excuse not to let loose and sing at the top of your lungs. Entry usually costs R40 at the door, but we have a secret password that gets you 50% off! Seriously, just whisper ‘be nice or go home’ and you’ll only have to pay R20. This also gets you a free shooter coupon, valid at Dizzys’ other event – Beer Pong and DJ Sundays.  Whip out your phone and get ready to record your friends making asses of themselves as they sing ‘Dancing in the moonlight,’ until the donkeys come home.  Karaoke starts at 9pm but get there early to get your name on the list.

Entrance Fee: R40 (R20 if you use our secret password)

Karaoke Times: Tuesday: 9pm – late

General Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 12pm – 4am

41 The Drive | Camps Bay | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 438 2686

Planet Sports Bar Bellville & Brackenfell
This Northern Suburbs-based bar, with branches in Bellville and Brackenfell, runs exciting day and nighttime karaoke sessions every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. The free, high-energy events invite participants to choose from a seemingly limitless list of tracks that span the decades, so they’re a great opportunity to step back in time or to even try your vocal cords at more recent top hits. The bars themselves offer a wide selection of drinks, have pool tables and feature a funky mixed vibe that encourages attendees to jam to anything from African house music and kwaito to other cool music genres. Friday and Saturday evenings are ‘club nights’ that are perfect for adding some energy and good times to the weekend.

Entrance Fee: Free

Karaoke Times: Bellville: Friday (3pm -2am), Saturday (2pm – 2am); Brackenfell: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday from 8pm till 2am on all nights. 

General Opening Hours: Bellville: Monday – Thursday: 12pm – 12am, Friday & Saturday: 12pm – 2am, Sunday: Closed; Brackenfell: Monday – Wednesday: 10am – 2am; Thursday: 10am – 4am; Friday – Saturday: 10am – 5am; Sunday: 12pm – 2am

Bellville: 50 Voortrekker Road | Bellville | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 945 2149
Brackenfell: Shop 54 Brackenfell Shopping Centre | Old Paarl Road | Brackenfell | +27 (0) 21 982 4054

Mitchell’s Waterfront Brewery
Whether someone’s coaxed you into getting on stage or you’re the type that unashamedly enjoys a round of karaoke, Mitchell’s Brewery at the V&A Waterfront is a place where you can enjoy a musical night out with family and friends on a Tuesday evening. A sing-along institution in its own right (it has been in the karaoke game for over 12 years), the eatery encourages people to get loose on stage and to just have some good-natured fun. The restaurant has grown to be a favourite hangout spot amongst locals and foreigners and offers food items such as steaks, burgers, wood-fired pizzas, seafood and more while also serving up a wide range of beer on tap. There are also regular food and drink specials on offer throughout the week.

Entrance Fee: Free

Karaoke Times: Tuesday: 9pm – 1am

General Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11am – 2am

Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 419 5074

The Manila Bar
Arguably the most popular karaoke spot in the city, this bar makes it possible for music lovers to enjoy the perks of singing in front of a crowd almost every day of the week (from Tuesday to Saturday). The song list is quite beastly; chances are that regardless of which tune you request from the KJ (Karaoke DJ), it’ll be on the system. The stage is open to anyone and singers are encouraged to get the crowd involved so that everyone benefits from their song choice. The Manila Bar has quite an extensive assortment of shots, drinks and other beverages that can give your vocal cords the energy they need to take on any track. And if you’re looking to make an event out of a night at this venue (or if you want to celebrate your birthday here), there is a VIP area that can be booked out so you can really take karaoke to another level.

Entrance Fee: Entry costs R40p/p from Tuesday to Thursday (this price includes a R20 drink voucher on Tuesdays and Thursdays); the price of entrance varies on Fridays and Saturdays depending on special events being hosted on these nights.

Karaoke Times: Tuesday – Saturday: 8pm – 2am
General Opening Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 8pm – 2am; Friday - Saturday: 8pm - 4am

161 Longmarket Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 424 9789

Brass Bell Restaurants & Pubs

If you’re the type of music fanatic that has exhausted all the karaoke classics, you’re in luck as Brass Bell, a much-loved seaside restaurant in Kalk Bay, features a database of more than 4000 songs (including both golden oldies and current hits) to fulfil every karaoke singer’s dream. Asking for an entrance fee of just R25p/p, the spot hosts a sing-song evening every Wednesday and gives amateur performers the chance to jam the night away. The restaurant itself is an ideal spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner and hosts an array of events throughout the week (think live music instalments, Friday night DJ sessions, blues evenings and more), so it’s easy to understand why this venue has become a popular hotspot amongst both the harbour town’s inhabitants and those from farther afield. 

Entrance Fee: R25

Karaoke Times: Wednesday: 8pm – late 

General Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 9am – 10:30pm; Saturday – Sunday: 8am – 11pm

Main Road | Kalk Bay | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 788 5455

3 OF THE MOST HILARIOUS, CRINGEWORTHY KARAOKE VIDEOS ON THE WEB

If you’re a karaoke newbie in need of some convincing as to just how fun the activity can be, here are three funny clips worth watching:

AND SOME BASIC KARAOKE RULES

*Video courtesy of BuzzFeed

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Indoor golf, pizza, sushi + more at this restaurant by Ideas Cartel.

Korean BBQ, soju and karaoke at Chopsticks & Table restaurant.

Looking for something else cool to do in the Mother City? Here’s a round-up of quiz nights that take place in Cape Town.

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