Austin has long earned its reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World — but its karaoke scene is just as vibrant and fun. Whether you want to belt out power ballads in front of a crowd, hide away in a private room with friends, or enjoy themed karaoke nights with flair, you’ll find something that suits your style. And with the upcoming Rad Libs Karaoke app on the horizon, your karaoke nights may soon get even more exciting.

Here are some of Austin’s standout karaoke bars — and how Rad Libs Karaoke might change how we sing.


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Top Karaoke Venues in Austin (2025 Edition)

Ego’s Bar

This spot is borderline legendary in Austin’s karaoke lore. Tucked under an office building on South Congress, Ego’s has nightly karaoke from around 8 p.m. onward.  The dive-bar ambiance, affordable drinks, and a crowd that’s there to enjoy make it a go-to for many locals.

The Common Interest

A great blend of public karaoke and private rooms, this bar offers main-stage karaoke (8 p.m. most nights, 7 p.m. Fridays) plus rooms you can book with friends.  It’s ideal if you want the energy of a crowd but also a more intimate option when you don’t feel like standing on stage in front of strangers.

Hi Tunes Karaoke

If you’re into K-pop or international song selection, Hi Tunes is one of Austin’s premier karaoke studios. They offer both the Singa system and Korean karaoke equipment, and they allow you to bring your own food and drinks.

Austin Karaoke

This venue is built for groups and private booking. Their rooms can vary in size, accommodating small to large groups, and they emphasize an updated song catalog.  If you want to plan ahead and reserve a space for your friends, this is one to check out.

Canary Roost

A neighborhood karaoke dive with a warming, casual vibe. Canary Roost hosts karaoke nightly and offers pool tables, big screens, and a no-frills environment that’s welcoming to singers of all levels.

Holey Moley

This one brings a twist: mini golf + karaoke. You can play a round of whimsical golf and then retreat into your private karaoke room to belt out your favorites.  It’s perfect if you want a mixed activity night.

Cutthroat Karaoke

Not for the faint of heart — Cutthroat sets its own rules: you either captivate the audience, or your mic time might be cut. It’s an energetic, competitive karaoke experience, often in rotating locations.

Other Notables

The Highball — themed private rooms and a full bar, great for parties.

Hole in the Wall — for a more historic, music-venue–meets-karaoke feel.

K Pub (K-Pub Chicken & Karaoke) — combines food (Korean fried chicken) and karaoke in private rooms.

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Rad Libs Karaoke — What to Expect (and Why It Matters)

You might be wondering: What’s Rad Libs Karaoke? While it’s not fully launched yet, this app promises to bring a fresh twist to karaoke.

Though there’s limited public detail so far, Rad Libs Karaoke sounds like it may incorporate social, lyric, or “fill-in” elements — maybe something like karaoke meets word games, or audience interactivity. (The name “Rad Libs” suggests playful lyric rewrites or prompts.)

When it launches, here are a few ways it could enhance your Austin karaoke nights:

Discover & coordinate local karaoke events — see which bars are hosting karaoke nights, what themes they have, and plan your night accordingly.

Song suggestion / lyric remix features — you can add spontaneity by remixing lyrics or inserting your own lines since the app includes a “Mad Libs” style twist.

Social karaoke challenges — compete or duet with friends even when you’re not in the same bar.

Queue & voting features — let bar crowds vote on who’s next, or suggest songs in real time.


Because the app is upcoming, keeping an eye on tech and music-app news will serve you well. It might integrate with local bars or allow users to tag and rate venues. Once it’s out, it could become a staple for Austin karaoke goers.


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How to Choose the Right Karaoke Night (and Tips)

Here are some tips to help you pick the right spot (and get the most from your mic time):

1. Decide your vibe

Want full crowd response? Go to Ego’s, Common Interest, or Canary Roost.

Prefer privacy? Book a room at Hi Tunes, Austin Karaoke, or The Highball.

Want something different? Try Holey Moley for golf + karaoke or Cutthroat for a more theatrical challenge.

2. Check schedules in advance
Some nights are heavier than others. For main stage karaoke, the earlier slots tend to fill up fast.


3. Reserve rooms ahead
It’s common for private rooms to be in demand (especially on weekends), so book ahead when possible.


4. Bring snacks / BYOB if allowed
Some karaoke spots allow you to bring your own food or drinks (or order in). Others may have restrictions.


5. Prepare a balanced setlist
Have a few crowd-pleasers mixed with something unique that reflects your style. Keep the energy shifting.


6. Engage the audience
Even if your singing isn’t perfect, showmanship, confidence, and crowd engagement often win more applause.

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Sample Itinerary: An Austin Karaoke Crawl

Here’s a suggested route for a fun, varied karaoke night:

7:30 p.m. — Dinner near South Congress

8:30 p.m. — Start at Ego’s or The Common Interest for some main stage karaoke

10:30 p.m. — Move to private rooms (Hi Tunes, Austin Karaoke, The Highball)

12:30 a.m. — Finish late at Canary Roost or Cutthroat (if active)

Future Possibility — Use Rad Libs Karaoke to plan or enhance your journey through the night



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Austin’s karaoke scene is rich and varied — from legendary dive bars to polished private rooms, there’s something for every singer. And with the Rad Libs Karaoke app on the horizon, there’s an exciting chance for more interactivity and discovery in how we sing. Keep an eye out for its release, and in the meantime, grab some friends, warm up your vocal cords, and hit one (or several) of these karaoke hot spots.