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To say that Twin Cities dive bars have got game is a vast understatement. Some of the best dive bars in town have many activities in common including pull tabs, meat raffles, and most importantly, karaoke. Whether you prefer your moment in the spotlight with a Grainbelt tallboy or a cheesy Heggies, we present to you the 9 best spots for karaoke in the Twin Cities, compiled and written by local music expert and writer, Pat O'Brien and Eater Editor, Joy Summers.
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10 Twin Cities Karaoke Bars to Belt It Out
These are the best picks for singing your brains out.
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Vegas Lounge
The top of the heap of local karaoke spots. Get here early or the wait will be long, though the entertainment from the crowd will be worth it. Cheers and jeers abound during the night so choose your songs carefully to achieve hero status for the night. Karaoke is seven nights a week. That's right, every single night. If you plan to drink (um duh), bring cash.
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Ballentine VFW Post 246
Cheap drinks and a fantastic crowd converge on Lyn-Lake to make this country and metal-heavy karaoke one of the most boisterous in town. Tip well, wait your turn, and make sure you choose at least one song you’re only mildly sure you’re fully familiar with. Sundays 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday-Friday 9 p.m. to midnight.
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The 1029 Bar & Smack Shack
This Northeast gem gets packed to the gills on weekends but it moves fast and there’s food from Smack Shack to be eaten. Hang out and listen to the denizens belt out hits from Loggins to Whitesnake to Pearl Jam and everything in between. A high tech touch screen sign up allows for easy access and no regrets. Karaoke is every Wednesday through Sunday from 9 p.m. til close.
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Otter's Saloon
Minneapolis’ most oddly-shaped bar also has great karaoke and a crowd who will sing along to almost anything, whether they know the lyrics or not. Duets are massively popular here, so if you and a friend have one in mind, here would be the place to roll it out. Karaoke is held Sunday through Tuesday, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Wednesday through Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
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Joe & Stan's Bar
One of the Twin Cities’ best kept karaoke secrets happens to be hiding in the shadows of the old Schmidt Brewery in St. Paul. Pick from an absolutely massive songbook and make use of the wide space you’re given to work with for any dance moves you might have. If “Free Bird” is your jam, this might be the spot to do it. Karaoke is Saturday night only, from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
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Dulono's PIzza
Where you head when yacht rock and classic rock are your first choices for karaoke madness. While you’re hanging out make sure to order what is arguably (and self-proclaimed) best pizza in town or the dessert item they concocted that must be seen to be believed. Karaoke is every Monday and Tuesday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
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Moose on Monroe Bar & Grill
Northeast’s diamond in the rough, the karaoke here runs fast and loose and the crowd will cheer for you, regardless of song choice. Take a break from the pinball machine and step up—a ‘90s MTV hit might be a good first choice. Karaoke is Tuesday through Saturday starting at 9 p.m.
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Sporty's Pub and Grill
Located just off of campus, you have to know what you’re looking for to find it, but you’ll know when you’ve gotten there. Grab some above-par grub, a songbook, and spend the night belting out all those songs you loved in high school and secretly still love today. Karaoke is every Wednesdays and Fridays from 10pm to bar close.
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Rail Station Bar & Grill
This neighborhood joint boasts everything that's great about a dive bar: meat raffles, proper pours and surroundings that aren't really divey at all. Hit the mic Thursdays and Saturdays 9:30 to close.
-Joy Summers
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Elsie's Restaurant, Bar & Bowling
Family friendly bowling alley and restaurant by day, a blazing stageless rock and roll glory dream by night. Well, the bowling alley is still going strong, but still: karaoke nights inside this Northeast spot is always a fun (and sometimes) fuzzy memory. Karaoke is every Friday and Saturday night beginning at 9 p.m.
- by Joy Summers
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