While there may be no explanation, the urge to sing seems irrespressible after throwing back a few drinks. Many Washington D.C. bars feature karaoke on at least one of their nights, but the following seem to be the most popular, whether you're into simple drunken revelry or have more ambitious musical goals.
Cafe Japone:
Cafe Japone limits the karaoke to its upper level, where singers crowd in and surround tables. Due to the size of the small venue, the air is ladden with slightly more biological smells. Most of the people present drink away their sense of smell, and presumably their sense of hearing, with multiple sake bombs. If you're looking for a drunken good time in close quarters, Cafe Japone delivers. There is a $10 minimum per person, and parties of 6 or more people are encouraged to make reservations. Karaoke runs from 9:30 - close, everyday of the week besides Tuesday.
2032 P St. NW, Washington, D.C.
202-223-1573
Rock It Grill:
Rock It Grill is Old Town Alexandria's go-to spot for karaoke any night of the week. They're well equipped, with a stage and large screen. Singers can choose from over the 80,000 songs available. every night, 9:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. The karaoke area gets crowded on weekends, but tables aren't too difficult to grab on weeknights.
Old Town Alexandria
1319 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia
703-739-2274
http://rockit-grill.com/rockit grillhome.html
Peyote Cafe:
Peyote Cafe is how Adams Morgan does karaoke, and it's exactly what you'd expect from the area. The basement bar has no tables and no stage, which means everyone, including the singer, mingles and sings loudly side-by-side, oblivious to the tune. The major drawback, if you don't mind the drunken frat boy vibe, is that there's an unofficial policy of tippin the DJ to sing. Karaoke runs Thursday - Saturday, 8:30 p.m. - 2 a.m.
2317 18th St., Washington, D.C.
202-265-6665
http://www.thepeyotecafe.com/peyote.htm
Remington's:
This Western-themed gay bar knows how to have a good time, and their Wednesday - Saturday karaoke nights are no exception. People go to sing and dance along in their upstairs lounge, and those really interested in cutting a rug can always travel back downstairs to do a little line-dancing. The singers at Remington's can actually carry a tune, for the most part, although no karaoke place is immune to the occasional drunken butchering of a classic.
639 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC
202-543-3113
http://www.remingtonswdc.com/
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