Montreal’s Best Karaoke Bars

In a city renowned for its local music scene, it may feel like there’s no room for amateurs in Montreal. Have no fear: An assortment of top-notch karaoke bars means that accessing your inner Leonard Cohen – or Win Butler, or Patrick Watson – is only a few beers away. Here, Montreal’s best karaoke bars.

Pang Pang
Ideal for less confident singers, Pang Pang offers private rooms ($25-$50/hour, depending on group size) decorated to the nines in the Korean karaoke style (think golden fountains and extravagant wall murals). Reserve early: the laughably haphazard on-screen visuals draw crowds, and the rooms fill up fast. 1226 MacKay St., 514-938-8886.

Bar Zoe
Challenging the assumption that karaoke means tacky, Bar Zoe serves proper cheese fondue and well-poured drinks. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by their selection of 100-odd cocktails – and over 100,000 songs – we recommend starting with a Southern Man – a combination of Finlandia vodka, Southern Comfort, lime and sugar. 3296 Jean-Talon St. East, 514-374-0666.

Boite à Karaoke
Extremely cheap, barely drinkable beer (4L pitchers are $18) fuels a rambunctious crowd of unruly university students and boozy barflies. In short, it’s the ultimate karaoke experience. 2071 St Catherine St. West, 514-989-8445.

Cabaret Mado
For an adventure, head to the Cabaret Mado in the Village on Wednesdays, when karaoke and open mic performances range from first-timers to local drag queen icons. Probaly the finest place to unleash that rendition of “Material Girl” you’ve been practicing. 1115 St. Catherine St. East, 514-525-7566.

Image courtesy of sfllaw.