Does the day of the week affect karaoke venue prices?
Yes. Some London karaoke venues charge substantially more on Fridays and Saturdays than earlier in the week.
If your date is flexible, compare midweek and weekend rates for the same venue before booking.
Private karaoke room or public karaoke bar – which should you book?
The main difference is privacy and control. A private karaoke room is exclusively for your group, while public karaoke puts you on stage or in a shared space with other customers.
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Private karaoke room
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Public karaoke night
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How you book
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Hire in advance – per person, per hour, or on minimum spend
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Usually turn up on the night; no booking
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Who is in the room
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Your group only
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Open to the whole bar
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Song queue
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Yours to control
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Shared rota, with waits between turns
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Cost
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From £14 per person or £60 per hour
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The price of your drinks
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Best for
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Birthdays, hen and stag dos, team socials, anything with a guest list
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Casual nights out, small groups, first-timers
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Trade-off
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You commit to a fee or a spend
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No guarantee of stage time
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Private rooms work particularly well for birthdays, hen and stag parties, and work nights out, especially if some guests would rather sing only in front of people they know. Public karaoke is better suited to groups who want the energy of a shared bar and don't mind taking turns with other singers.
Before booking a private room, check the session length, maximum capacity and whether food and drinks can be ordered directly to the room.
What size karaoke space do you need for your group?
Choose a karaoke room based on your actual group size and how you plan to use the space, not just its maximum capacity. If you want room to dance, eat or move around, booking right at the stated limit may feel cramped.
For larger groups, check whether the advertised capacity is seated or standing and whether everyone can stay together in one room. Also allow for tables, food and drinks, and any space you want for dancing.
Which London areas are best for karaoke, and why?
For the widest choice, start with Central London and the main nightlife districts. The best area depends on whether you prioritise transport, late-night options or what you want to do before and after karaoke.
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Area
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Why choose it
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Best for
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Soho
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Central, surrounded by restaurants, bars and late-night venues
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Groups combining karaoke with a full night out
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Shoreditch & Hoxton
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Strong nightlife scene with purpose-built karaoke and activity bars
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Birthdays, work socials and lively group nights
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City of London
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Convenient for after-work groups, with good transport connections
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Corporate events and weekday karaoke
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Islington
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Pubs and neighbourhood venues with private function and karaoke spaces
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Birthdays and more relaxed group celebrations
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South London
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Worth comparing for private rooms and lower-priced options outside the West End
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Groups prioritising budget or travelling from south London
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What should you check about the song catalogue and equipment?
Before booking, check the song catalogue, microphones, screens and sound system, own-music policy and soundproofing. A dedicated karaoke setup is different from a room that simply has a PA system.
- Song catalogue – check that the library covers the genres, artists and languages your group wants.
- Microphones – check how many are provided if you want duets or group performances. Roxy Ball Room lists multiple microphones.
- Screens and sound – confirm what equipment is dedicated to your room. Roxy Ball Room lists a large-screen display and sound system, while
- Playing your own music – policies vary.
- Soundproofing – if this matters to your group, check the venue page rather than assuming every private room is soundproofed.
Can you get food and drinks in a private karaoke room?
Yes, many London karaoke venues offer food and drinks alongside private-room hire, but how they are served varies. Some provide in-room ordering, while others require you to order from the main bar or choose a package in advance.
- Room service – some rooms let you order without leaving. Karaoke Den at The Fox, Shoreditch lists an order-and-pay app.
- Per-person packages – the VIP Room at Roxy Ball Room – Old Street runs a festive package at £56 per person covering gaming, food and drink.
- Minimum spend venues – the spend goes on food and drink, so if your group was going to eat and drink anyway, a minimum spend can work out cheaper than a hire fee. At The Onyx Bar at Inamo Covent Garden, the £250 minimum spend per day is what you would spend at the bar rather than a cost on top of it.
How long are karaoke sessions and how late can you stay?
Karaoke sessions in London vary by venue, so check how long the quoted price covers before comparing options. A lower hourly rate may not be cheaper overall if your group needs a longer booking. Check the alcohol licence rather than just the booking slot.
Several venues note that licence extensions are available on request. Ask at the enquiry stage rather than on the night.
Karaoke booking checklist
Before you book:
- Confirm the room capacity – check that it works for your actual group, not just the maximum occupancy.
- Calculate the total booking cost – include the full session length, minimum spend, food and drinks, and any additional charges.
- Check the session length – confirm how long the quoted price covers and what an extension costs.
- Check the karaoke setup – ask about the song catalogue, microphones, screens and sound system.
- Confirm food and drinks – check whether you can order in the room and whether purchases count towards the minimum spend.
- Ask about your own music or DJ – policies vary considerably between London karaoke venues.
- Check the finish time – confirm when karaoke ends and whether the main bar stays open afterwards.
- Check accessibility – particularly lift or step-free access if the karaoke room is upstairs or downstairs.
- Read the booking terms – check the deposit, cancellation policy and what happens if your group size changes.
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