Akikos Karaoke Club

If you’re a woman please go with friends, and do not go to the back patio by yourself, there seemed to be a pack of men outside that were really rude once you established your not interested. Bartenders and staff were lovely and welcoming and it was so fun to sing karaoke, plus everyone is so supportive even if you suck at singing.

No food, but there was a hotdog stand on the street, and a bunch other restaurants near by. I went there my birthday with my friends on a Friday night, and we had a blast. It’s pretty long wait to sing, but there was a whole lots of talented singers were performed, it’s very entertained to watch and dancing whole time. The place gets packed by 11pm, the crowd seems enjoyed and very supportive to all singers. The staff was very friendly and helpful, I had an issue with one of drunken person was bothered us, and they escalated very quickly, I was very satisfied. They scanned every one who walk in the door, that makes me feel very safe to go there. I definitely recommending to anyone who wants to have a good time and sing. You could be waiting a long to sing than you would like to, but this place is the most popular karaoke bar in town, so it gets crowded on a weekends!

This is a cute little bar with a front room playing music, then karaoke in the back room! I rented this out for my 25th bday for my twin and I and it was $200 for 5:30-9, then it turns open for everyone to enter. It was awesome and I would absolutely return, the DJ was great and kind and the bartenders were very nice. They do not sell food.

I went here on a Tueday for karaoke and had a blast. I love the setup of the club. The bar is in the front, and the karaoke area is up the stairs. I wish there were more drink specials on Tuesdays. There is a pool table of front and plenty of seating in the back. Also, you have to buy a drink(s) in order to perform karaoke. You'll get a ticket to write your name and song on, then turn it in to the dj. I'll be back!

I had a good time there until someone on the speaker acted like I was a threat. I sat at the bar, bought a shot and a beer, then wanted to go watch karaoke in the back... To suddenly hear incoherent yelling on the speaker and the bouncer who got my ID an hour ago running to me and asking for it again... Didn't get an apology, just a "don't take it personally". Do I look like a threat ?just because I went out alone? Very confused. Maybe don't feed the person on the mic alcohol so they can think rationally in the future. The bouncer was a rational person and left me alone immediately after realizing the idiot on the mic was causing chaos for no reason. FFS

In town for a conference and ending up at Akikos for Karaoke on a Monday night. So much fun. So very surprised by the young talented singers! Even celebrated a birthday! Most definitely our best experience in Louisville!

They've put in a new water policy, namely, removing the self service water tank they used to have, and are now instructing bartenders to force people to pay for bottled water, instead of offering free tap water. This is a short sighted, reckless, and quite frankly dangerous policy, putting their patrons in real danger during a heat wave to make a quick buck. Also, just as dirty as ever.

Free kareoke as long as you buy something. Good prices for alcoholic drinks. Water bottles are $2 per not expensive but odd you cant even get a cup to get faucet water. To be a bar with no access to free water isnt a good idea.

Had a great night at Akiko's - short wait, strong and cheap drinks, great audience, fast staff! Couldn't have been more fun!

They charge you for fucking water....At a bar....Where's it's hot, stuffy, and you're consuming alcohol. Will never be back to this place again. The bartender made my friend purchase a water bottle instead of just getting a plastic cup full of water. Absolutely disgusting business ethics

"Let's do Karaoke", someone said. Well, we went to Akiko's, and after a while I went up to the booth to put in my name to sing along on a karaoke song, and I was behind a young, lovely girl, and the DJ wasn't there, so she and I waited. Finally, the DJ returned and the girl says something to him. Then she leaves. I asked what I needed to do to get on the list, and he told me that I needed to buy a drink at the bar and they'll give me a piece of paper to write my selection on. I'd already had enough to drink earlier in the evening, so I went to the bar and ordered a tonic water; 2.25$, and it tasted like tap water. Moreover, they didn't give me any piece of paper to write my name and song choice on. I went back and told them that the tonic water had no tonic in it. Fortunately, then, some guy made me another drink and this time it was right, and, fortunately, they didn't charge me again. This time I asked for the paper, and they gave me two. I wrote the song and the artist, and my name, all on the slip of paper. Then I waited... ...and waited... ...and waited... About fifteen or twenty people got up there, including the cutie who had been up there when I went to inquire-twice she sang, and me not at all; lots of people went to the both, apparently with no piece of paper to hand the DJ, and, as far as I could tell, no one else was sent to buy a drink they didn't want before they could get the DJ to include them on the list. I'm not sure what it is, but fuck them.

Akiko's is such a cool spot to hang out! I initially thought it would be a classy bar, but it's far from that. All kinds of characters hang out here. And it feels like a neighborhood watering hole. It's not a big place. You walk in, and the first room is the bar area which also has a pool table and is more well lit. People hang around here even if they aren't going to do karaoke. When you buy a drink, they give you 2 tickets in order to sing 2 songs in the back room. That room is a bit dark but with lots of colored lights. It's got lots of tables, men's and women's bathrooms. It's fun though! You can easily come in for free, not buy a drink, and sit and be entertained. There were a lot of fantastic singers! But also some who went up and just had fun with it.

It's very fun place to go, I booked a private party for my 35th birthday from a 5:30-9pm. The reservation fee was a very reasonable price, and the drinks price was very good. All of my group had a great time, and the service was great. Akiko's is most popular Karaoke bar in Louisville, and I believed it's been over 26 years old, and reason that I knew is that I used to come most weekend when I was in the UV. Now I'm much older, so I could only come special time. So they're always a jammed on the weekends, and to sing a karaoke could take a long waiting, but the sound system is top of notch and they had all age's of 21- 45 different great singers, and the crowd was very supportive. I've seen some people leave a low rating, and I'm sure that is because they didn't get to sing much as they wanted or had to wait too long, but I understand that this place is so popular on the weekend and they can get crazily busy. So some will have a great time or while others might disappointed. That's the reason why I like to reserve, so my group can have all the fun with out the wait. The reviews are from only a small fraction of the people who come. Most have a great time and come back regularly. If any business can stay this long, then they must be doing something right, because I saw a many new business came and go all the time.

I mean, what can you say. It's a Louisville thing. Akiko's is an odd bird. It almost feels like a abandoned business - no updates in years, a little rough around the edges, always kind of smells like a cleaned-up frat house. But honestly that's the appeal...when you walk in you know exactly what you're getting in to. So here's the deal. There's a 'bar' in the front with a couple pool tables. You buy your drink, and you get 'karaoke tickets' with said purchase. Then you either sit at the bar and drink, or make your way to the back of the building where there are numerous tables, a stage, a DJ booth, and the bathrooms (and a rear exit). It's incredible loud in there, almost ink black dark except for the glow from the classic Akikos 'stage , and punctuated with occasional black light and glow paint. It's, a experience. Anyway, there are Karaoke books in the tables and you make you choice and take the previously mentioned tickets to the DJ booth. If it isn't busy, you'll sing right away. If it is busy, be prepared to wait and/or slip the DJ a couple bucks. Vibe is...strange but charming in its own way. I'm not sure anyone has ever started their night at Akikos. It's like the ultimate 2nd, 3rd, 10th location. So you get a crazy mix of people in/out of there. I've been there when it's empty, I've been there when it's totally packed. Check it out. Its Louisville bucket-list stuff.

Reason the low stars. I love dive bars but I would steer away from this bar. The lady's restaurant out of order. When forced to use the men's restroom an employee rushed after me in the restroom to prevent me from visiting the 'bars' restroom. I have never.... Nor would I ever go back to this sticky low end bar.

DJ will play favorites and will put other people in front of you even if you tip. Don't waste your time putting in to sing he'll just put others in front you while you sit around for two hours waiting to sing. Waited around for hours all friends left still waiting for my song. He started putting people in front of me that just arrived guess they knew him. Wish I would taken back my tip and poured out my final beer on his equipment. He's a just a Waste of time to get you to buy more drinks

If i end up at akikos, I'm probably black out. To see my check in was shocking, but since I did I'll review what I think is true. I dont like sake. I like to dance to karaoke and sing along. I dont sing well, especially when the blackout has set in. I dont want to be the person on stage, but the fan in the front row. I think there is a pool table. I have fun every time I go and refuse to go without recreating the circumstances of the last time I had fun there. This is a shitty review. Akikos is fun. Avoid sake.

I walked into the bar and was let in immediately. I walked out to take a phone call and when I walked back in. The manager claimed that my real ID was fake and kicked me out. WORSE BAR IN LOUISVILLE, DO NOT GO!!!!!!

A firm "nah". Came here from out of town with a friend who lives here. He was hoping to show me a good karaoke experience so he took me here. If you're not friends with the host or a regular, you're not going to get to sing. Instead you have to listen to the host and his friends sing some classic songs WAY out of key and way off time. They'll applaud themselves the whole time while the host has no clue how to mix audio though, so I guess that's entertaining. In short, if you're in town and looking for karaoke fun, go anywhere else in the area but here.

Akikos is the proverbial karaoke bar in the city of Louisville. And it's not a very good one, sadly. Frankly, it's no different than other places that do karaoke. They have one small stage area, you can do one song at a time, etc. Other karaoke bars I've been to have multiple rooms for groups of people. Not a big fan. It's average. The drink selection is pretty average. It gets busy and you'll turn in a song to sing and it won't show up for two hours. I'd go somewhere else. But it's fun for dancing etc.

Akiko's Karaoke Club is a fun place to go out with friends. If you enjoy singing, or just like to watch karaoke, then Akiko's is a great place to do either. We recently visited for a girlfriend's birthday who loves to sing, so this was the perfect spot for our group of sixteen to go. You have to buy a drink to get two song tickets, but on our most recent visit the bartender gave us lots of extra song tickets for free. Now, this could have just been because we were such a large group, but I appreciated it nonetheless. I don't think I'll ever drop into Akiko's alone, and I doubt B and I would ever hit up this spot on a date night, but in a group it's lots of fun. If you're looking for a fun activity to do with friends, Akiko's is a safe bet.

Beware!! Do not use your card at the bar, they hacked mine. Use cash only when purchasing drinks or don't bother going to a place where the bartenders steal your card information, if I come back I am paying cash only and they will not be receiving a tip from me, but I will most likely not be coming back because I don't support thieves.

We got here when it was basically dead and kept asking when our friends would get to sing and 2 hours later everyone who showed up after us got to sing? Waste of time :) big thumbs down

My go-to karaoke spot in Louisville. honestly, never been anywhere else for karaoke in Derby City - this might be related to the proximity to hundreds of bars in the Highlands. Usually not too packed in my experience, but woooahh does it get sticky in here with humidity due to body sweat. Might want to look in to better HVAC. It's like it's own little micro-climate of folks with alcohol heading out of their pores.

Bad service and will not answer phone calls. Very disappointing when trying to wait for songs and people after you get out in front of you.

Cheap alcohol, a billiards table, karaoke. It's good vibes, in a good spot. Place gets crowded, could use another billiards table sure but if you go on a weekday you'll get a chance to sing. Place is clean enough. None threatening environment. I'd go again.

I showed up to the bar on a weekend, there was barley anyone there, I decided that it was time to get a drink because if I was gonna have to be there might as well not be sober. when I arrived at the bar, the bartender was not nice, he was rude, took way too long for the small amount of people there, and simply did not care for me at all. I felt uncomfortable in the environment there. 0/10 would not reccomend

Akiko's is like a breath of fresh air for the Highland's night scene. I don't know how long this bar has been here, but I just discovered it a couple months ago. I love karaoke (especially with alcohol involved,) so once I heard about this little bar being dedicated to karaoke I knew I had to try it out. I've had many friends who have spent their nights here and have said nothing but good things about it. There was no cover when I came, which was just lovely. They've got a little bar up front and a pool table if you're not in the mood to sing. In the back, main area is the cute little stage, and a bunch of tables surrounding the area. They give you little tickets at the bar if you'd like to request a song for the karaoke. If anyone has ever watched somebody sing karaoke drunk, they know it is funny as hell. Imagine experiencing this back to back to back -that is Akiko's for you. What I really liked about it was that it doesn't get as jammed packed as Baxter's or O'Sheas does. I haven't gotten up on stage yet, but it's definitely on my bucket list for my next visit ;)

Hit this place up for the first time with a group of friends. The place doesn't open until 9pm and by 9:15pm the karaoke room was pretty packed. The majority of the people seemed to be sorority/frat kids that had pre-gamed before they showed up...I admit to being worried. However within an hour it seemed that what remained were likely regulars. We stayed several hours and had a good time. The crowd is friendly and supportive. It can be a couple of hours to be able to get up and sign, just depends on the time of arrival. The bar staff works fairly quickly and busses tables regularly. We all agreed we would be back.

Great service - amazing bar- laid back ambiance and fun karaoke crowd. I have been there as a patron and also had a private party there - both great experiences! Great people!

If you're looking for a place to karaoke in Louisville, Akiko's should be one of your top results. Upon entering, you'll be in a small bar area--pool table, a few bar tables, and the bar itself. Drinks are reasonably priced, and they do have jello shots. When buying a drink, ask for slips of paper to put in your karaoke requests. Then, unless you just want to mingle and/or be social in that area, make your way toward the back. You'll go up a few stairs to be greeted by the karaoke area. There's the DJ booth, a stage with the microphones, multiple screens with lyrics, and a number of tables. Note: these tables fill up! If you want to bring a party here (and also not have to wait hours to sing), you should absolutely come here early. Otherwise, it can get crowded, especially when bringing a large group. Just like any karaoke spot, you'll hear all genres, you'll hear good people, you'll hear bad people, you'll hear people who think they're good but are actually bad, you'll hear dance songs (which is nice, since there's a small dance floor area in front of the stage), and you'll hear everything in between. One of my favorite things about Akiko's is the diversity. You'll see people from multiple walks of life, all there for the sake of karaoke. My favorite karaoke place in Louisville was Phoenix Hill Tavern, which unfortunately closed in 2015. So, for now, Akiko's is my karaoke spot. (Though I usually prefer just to sit back and enjoy, opposed to taking the stage!)

Looking for a karaoke bar, we found Akiko's. There was a lot of seating and a very diverse crowd. The karaoke guy had good songs and kept the rotation moving. Everyone seemed to be having fun. Drinks were priced reasonably and were good. There was a good light show. The restroom was very clean, too (which is always important!!). We would go back again.

If you've hung out along Bardstown Road for any time at all, you likely have an Akikos story. Mine involves the only time I've really sung karaoke ... ever. I've been to many, many karaoke bars, and have cheered all of my friends up to the mic. But for the sake of all in attendance, I don't sing. I know what you might say: "Well hardly anyone who sings karaoke can really sing. Get over yourself!" But for serious, I'm tone deaf. Like so much worse than Cameron Diaz in "My Best Friend's Wedding." I'm staying in my seat as a courtesy to you. Yet, Akikos did get me up on stage -- and it wasn't because I wanted to take revenge on the ears of everyone in the crowd. I had fun! My best friend and I made a duet out of The Strokes' "Last Night." (Not a song that requires much range.) And I don't know if it's because the drinks I had were strong or if I was subdued into a hypnotized state, but I don't even remember jeers from the audience. Akikos will help anyone along to a good time, which is really what you want out of a karaoke bar. Don't know if I'll ever attempt a repeat performance, but if I do, it will likely be at Akikos.

Oh, Akikos. We have a love/hate relationship. I love karaoke and you being pretty much the only karaoke bar in Louisville means you get my patronage. I feel like we have been pretty good together until recently. The fact that you have to buy overpriced drinks to get paper to request songs isn't cool. People want to have a good time, they want to drink and they want to sing. You make customers happy, they will drink more & not care how much it costs. You piss them off as soon as they walk in the door by telling them they have to buy a drink in order to sing - not cool. Some people don't drink, some people are pregnant, some people just get a natural high from singing badly in front of others. They all should be able to request songs without buying a drink. Secondly, your new DJ isn't very nice. He lets his favorites go first. Now, I realize that on a Friday or Saturday night, it gets pretty crowded and it's only normal for there to be a bit of a wait to sing. Everyone comes prepared for this. But to wait 2 and a half hours? When more than one person got to sing at least twice in that time span? Again, not cool. Bring back the other DJ - the one who wore all black! He's the bomb. I love that the dance floor is often lively and you can play pool if you aren't into listening to people belt out Celine Dion but really, I feel like our time together has ended. Next time, I think I'll have my own party, rent a karaoke machine & buy my own booze.

Was totally expecting to hate this place based on reviews that made it out to be a drunk-fest with a karaoke nazi of a DJ, but I had a great time! Yes, you have to buy a drink to get song tickets (three tix per drink), but I see nothing unreasonable about that, especially given the drinks are fairly priced (~$4 a bottle, I think). The DJ on the night we went was very courteous and competent. Yes, tipping $1 a song will move you up the playlist a few notches, and I resorted to this when the place became busy (after 11p on a Saturday night). I'm not really sure how I feel about this, but it is what it is and even the non-tippers in our party were able to get a few songs in without waiting too long. It's also possible the DJ doesn't really maintain a strict first-come, first-serve order (tipping notwithstanding), choosing to group singers based on song genre. If so, then I appreciate this. I, for one, don't care to hear "Love Me Tender" sandwiched between "Push It" and "Baby Got Back". Also, genre grouping makes sense at Akiko's, since it's the kind of karaoke place where a lot of people dance (okay, more like frolic drunkenly), so the DJ needs to maintain flow on the dance floor. Anyway, I look forward to coming back. Unlike the few other karaoke nights I've been to in L'ville, this place is all about the karaoke, and everyone there, whether singing or not, gets into it. Plus it's a super supportive and friendly (or maybe just drunk) crowd, though that's not unusual for this city.

As one of the leading karaoke bars in the Highlands, it definitely lived up the hype. The place was packed and the people were having the time of their lives. You won't find the next Mariah Carey there... well depends on which version of Mariah Carey you're looking for. New Year's Eve 2017? Maybe a few. All in all the place was great. The music choices are questionable but I mean that's what makes a great karaoke bar. The staff was friendly but the place needs a good facelift to be honest. I was there for a going away party and I don't drink much. I am the person to notice things like dust and dirt on the walls. It also doesn't help when the back bar is lit by black light because it amplifies all the dirt. The bathrooms were pretty gross too. They could use a good cleaning and a little maintenance but I mean for a bar in highlands I feel like this is pretty typical.

$6 for a warm bottle of beer? Seemed a bit on the high side for a local karaoke bar. Perhaps I just don't get out enough anymore if that's the current going rate? Meh. I'll buy a 6 pack for nearly that, stay home singing with my daughter AND get a MUCH better show. The dj sang more songs than the patrons which was frustrating as well. There were plenty of people signing up for songs- but we sure saw him up there the most. Great if he was hitting those songs out of the park, but that just wasn't the case. Not a fan. Won't be going back soon.

It is always interesting to me to read negative reviews and realize how different everyone's perspectives are. I have always had a good time at Akikos and I have been many times. Yes I have waited some time to sing a song during busy nights but that is a given. Never did I feel like other people were favored or paid their way to the front of the line. Yes the bathrooms aren't the cleanest but that is really the only thing I could possibly complain about. I have been to many karaoke joints that were slow and awkward and found myself to be the only person singing. You will never experience that kind of dread at akikos as the crowd is always engaged and everyone will be singing and partying along with you.

I put my song in, tipped the KJ 4 bucks and waited an hour. I go to ask the gentleman in booth what the situation was and he told me I had 9 people ahead of me. Several people ahead of me had gone twice. He then solicited a dollar per person "tip" in order to sing my song. I passed on the kind offer. This has happened every time I come here. Why do I come back? Because friends think the world stops existing outside of bardstown road and for some reason insist on coming to this horrible place.

Giving this place four stars because of our amazing bartender and because of all the fun we had. Went here with a group of 4 girls and I enjoyed every second of it. The only reason why I give it four stars and not 5 is because we never got a chance to sing. Apparently you have to tip the DJ's a crap ton of money and that wasn't going to happen when the bartender was so awesome at knocking out drinks. I have never had a hangover this bad until today.

Okay, so considering that I really love karaoke I can be a bit of snob when it comes to going to places that are known for karaoke. But this place did not disappoint. It was everything that everyone said it would be. Great drinks. Great experience! I loved the stage. It's not that big, but honestly I think that's what's so great about it. It's the perfect intimate karaoke bar.

So evidently the only way to get a chance to howl is by "tipping big money" per one of the DJ's. I have been here several times and I know that its first come first serve which is fine.... but this time around it was a waste of 4 1/2 hrs. if I am 16 spots away from my turn, how is it that I'm still not up after 4 ppl were skipped, 3 performed, 2 more skipped, and more than 16 go ahead. If thats the way roll Akiko's is rolling, then let ppl know. I was told TWICE in over 3 hrs that I was 16 away from a turn. Not to mention there was a group were we counted the same 7 ppl performed 6 times individually and we definitely turned in spots before them. There needs to be better structure because you're turning away good customers. He stressed that people were tipping him $20 to go next every time. Was that a fact? I don't know, but I sure hope it wasn't an attempt to force some extra cash in your pocket. We purchased a Alot Of drinks and took care of the bartenders also. We have no problem taking care of the DJ but not as barter to come do a free performance. 32 Thumbs down for the large group that came. Smh!!!!!

Well, usually I have a nice time at this karaoke bar. I always seem to laugh sing dance and enjoy myself. But last night the guy checking ids at the door was very very very very rude. 1 he said they were at capacity ok cool. I pulled in their parking lot parked with no problem and there were still spots left. Saying that to say I've been there with lots more people there. Ok. Well 3 people walked out and now we can go in. Yet he still act like he didn't want us in there. My cousin had to basically massage his ego to get in a free bar. Once in I looked back and he let a big party right in. Very suspicious. I've been coming here for years. Like 5 years plus. But ok. Didn't feel welcomed last night.

When searching for a place for fun, drunken singing, and cheap drinks Akikos is a decent choice. You can rent out the place pretty cheap for a few hours before they open to the general public. Great option for private singing/only your friends judging your talents. They have a gigantic song book with old and current radio hits, and if you're lucky enough the DJ will do a duet with you. Our performance consisted of Macklemore's "Thrift Shop". I, of course, was Macklemore with the DJ doing a fantastic Ryan Lewis impersonation. This place is more on the dive bar side, with the karaoke room being a blackout room with no windows. But if you've had a couple drinks and always wondered what the Kenney Chesney song "Big Star" song, minus Banana Joe's Bar, was all about then head to Akikos for non-stop laughs and legendary performance.

Craving Karaoke, this is the place. Right beside of Nowhere Bar on Bardstown Road, this place has cheap drinks and free karaoke. Did I mention the karaoke? Oh yeah, and the karaoke. I really, really like the karaoke. Sake, beer, jello shots, pool tables, and karaoke. 21+

Been here a few times with groups of people. I've never seen it not crowded which is always a great sign. It's fun and if you love karaoke, this is the place because it's always going on. Great location on Bardstown Road if you like to be where the action is like I do.

Most fun Karaoke bar in Louisville so if that's what you are looking for, then you should go here. If you aren't looking for Karaoke then you should probably go somewhere else. lol

Fun karaoke bar. I visited this place while relaxing with coworkers after work events. We are from out of town but look forward to our conference karaoke nights when we travel. The bartender was pretty nice. The DJ was on top of things and it was surprisingly popular for Monday night. The bar stayed open until past 2 AM. The drinks were not anything to write home about, but we had a good time which was the goal. The list of songs was really impressive, even included things like The Lion King.

Ducked in to get my Karaoke on and it was a fine time, here's why: * Hotties Dana and Molly were in tow, SCORE! * Fast Eddie bought my drinks! The place has two rooms. Traditional bar action in the front with juke box, in the back they have some disco lighting and glow in the dark shit on the walls and that's where American Idol goes down. Replete with a little stage so your fantasy can be really vivid. Popular with the college-aged set and parking can be a challenge on big nights. Cheap drinks. Cabeza OUT!

Was physically assaulted by a man who was in plain clothes who turned out to supposedly be a bouncer for Akikos. I was leaving the bar and was caught in between this guy and guys outside. Ended up taking an ambulance ride to the ER with a concussion. Later learned this man had a gun tucked in his pants. No one from the establishment has made any attempt to contact me, see how I am, or take any responsibility for their employee's actions. Not to mention their karaoke DJ takes tips to let people cut in the karaoke lineup. And the women's bathrooms are disgusting.

I LOVE to karaoke and have a good time with my friends. This place offers the opportunity to do just that, if you are willing to overpay for a drink in order to get a couple song tickets. Their song list is also very expansive but they are very unwilling to add anything not already on their list. I have run into multiple songs by big name (older) artists that they do not have... like Simon and Garfunkel... nothing on the list! Now, let's talk about the karaoke sound system etc here... As someone who makes my living through music, I know enough to be dangerous with sound systems and this clubs motto seems to be, louder=better. It's so bad that either my wife or I usually leave with a headache. On my last trip here, I arrived 12 minutes before they "officially" open. Since I was meeting friends and they sometimes open the doors early to let people in, I went ahead and walked in since there were tons of people already inside... for a private party! Now the bar was mostly empty and I would have been content to sit in the far corner of the bar, and silently wait for my friends to come within the next 12 minutes, but the bartender rather rudely told me that I had no choice but to stand outside in the rain until they opened... I wouldn't have crashed someone's private party in the last 10 minutes... but instead I decided to step outside and review the many times I have come here to receive a headache and have a mediocre time doing something that I love, while paying too much for my drink. If you want to karaoke, just wait two more hours and walk a block and a half to the Highland Taproom!

Want to have a few cocktails elsewhere, and then get up the nerve to finally polish up that ballad you've been saving for the audience in American Idol? Sounds like most of the regulars at this place. Strange and otherworldly black lights surround, and Pabst Blue Ribbon is served in bottles. Yes, it's really that wild. You'll hardly be able to contain yourself.

I love this bar! The bartender is super cool and so friendly. I love the new DJ they have now, Rob. He stays on top of the songs and keeps the singers moving quickly so you don't have to wait forever for your turn to sing. I love the new smoking area out back, I can take my drink and have a drag and still hear the music. Usually interesting conversations happen back there as well. I wish the place was a little bigger, but then, it would be even more crowded than it already is. It is a really fun place to go hang out with friends, co workers or special occasions. A great selection of songs to chose from, I mean they have about every song imaginable! Go check it out if you haven't been there yet!

This place is very "eh" to me. We came here for a friend's birthday really hoping to do some karaoke and never actually made it up to the stage. All of us put in requests as soon as we got there and being there for about two hours without getting to sing just wasn't worth it for me. We were told by friends that we would have to tip the DJ to get onto the stage in a decent amount of time but that didn't seem to work for anyone while we were there. The place is pretty small, has a front room where the bar is and then a back room with the small stage and DJ booth. Both spaces seemed pretty cramped to me. Right in front of the stage in the back room they have a little dancing area. I wish there was more room for this space to be bigger, but that would obviously take away from the very little sitting room there already seems to be. Up sides: drink prices aren't outrageous and it's a karaoke bar. Down sides: small and would have to be here (probably) all night to actually make it on stage to sing.

Akiko's is the bees knees. Drinks are at a reasonable price, nightly specials, etc. As far as the karaoke goes, they do pick favorites with the regulars and to those who "tip" well to the DJ. Tough titties. If you wanted to sing a bunch of songs, you should have became a rock star. I can go to akikos on a saturday night and get at least one song in. Its a super fun atmosphere. Everyone seems to get along well, never had an issue. I say yes to going as long as you don't care about getting to sing a thousand songs because chances are you'll only get one. Choose well.

Get drunk, laugh at people singing Guns & Roses tunes. Awesome.

The WORST karaoke bar I've ever been to in the world. If I could give it less than 1 star I would. If you are from out of town and looking to stop into a karaoke spot and sing a few songs with your friends, forget about it. As a few other reviewers mentioned, there is a core group of regulars here that get to sing and everyone else is shut out unless you pay the DJ big money apparently. To even get a slip to write down a song, my friend was hassled about whether he had purchased any drinks (one of my other friends had bought the drinks and this was apparently a problem). I get 'locals only' vibes, but this place is ridiculous. We sat there for close to 2 hours after putting in our tickets with no action. When we complained to the bartenders they pretty much said 'oh well' and told us to leave if we didn't like it. Don't go to this place ever.