Local cuisine might be our forte, but we love to support local bars and restaurants by bringing groups of friends to sing karaoke.
With an abundance of menus and food reviews to choose from online, finding a quality restaurant is simple. Choosing a karaoke bar, however, is not.
Finding a local karaoke song list online or searching for opening hours is a challenge — especially if you’ve decided to go on a whim.
We have come to the rescue and listed karaoke spots below, in order of the day of the week — and frequency — in which they host karaoke.
Margarita Bay (Nightly)
7415 E. 22nd St.
If you’re a karaoke-holic, you’ll be a regular here. They’re open every day of the year, even Thanksgiving and Christmas. Karaoke starts at 8 p.m. and they close late.
Not only do they have a song book with over 10,000 songs available, they’ll even take requests for songs they don’t have. Their bar food is standard fried fare, but their drinks are cheap.
The occasional geriatric but flawless performance of Bad Romance by Lady Gaga is not to be missed.
Keep up with Margarita Bay on Facebook. For more information, visit margarita-bay.com.
The Royal Room (Sundays)
450 N. Sixth Ave.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4-WEPhBXVB/
Karaoke at The Royal Room is as colorful as its windows and cocktail menu, which is one of our favorites.
Sing from 10 p.m. – close every Sunday.
Keep up with The Royal Room on Instagram.
Shooter’s Steakhouse & Saloon (Nightly except for Tu/Th)
3115 E. Prince Rd.
Shooter’s was primarily known for their Sunday karaoke, but they’ve expanded. Karaoke starts at 9 p.m. on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Even though Shooter’s is western-themed, you’ll still hear your fair share of Spice Girls and Sir Mix-A-Lot with a rowdy and energetic crowd.
The kitchen closes at 9 p.m. daily and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, so sit down with a mesquite-grilled steak or rib-tip basket for a late evening dinner before you get the crowd going to Little Red Corvette.
Keep up with Shooter’s Steakhouse and Saloon on Facebook.
Tough Luck Club (Tuesdays)
101 E. Pennington St.
For underground karaoke on Tuesdays around 10 p.m., visit the Tough Luck Club tucked away in the basement under Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink.
You can keep it simple at Tough Luck Club with the $4 special, which is a can of Coors and shot of whiskey.
If you’re feeling wild, you can roll the giant dice to determine which cocktail you’ll receive. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch one of the bartenders singing while shaking or stirring your cocktail.
Keep up with Tough Luck Club on Facebook.
HighWire Lounge (Tuesdays)
14 S. Arizona Ave.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5FYAO8BcC0/
When the weather permits it, HighWire hosts karaoke on their patio starting at 9 p.m. on Tuesdays.
Keep up with HighWire Lounge on Instagram.
Surly Wench Pub (Wednesdays)
424 N. Fourth Ave.
Wednesdays after 9 p.m., sing onstage at the Surly Wench. It’s also a great place for the latest eats on Fourth Avenue because the kitchen is open until 1:30 a.m.
Make sure to try their Hangover Tots, topped with Swiss cheese, house poblano sauce, and a fried egg. Their Bloody Mary is also killer.
For more information, visit surlywenchpub.com.
Frog & Firkin (Wednesdays)
874 E. University Blvd.
For a Main Gate Square experience with all the youngins from the U of A campus, check out Frog & Firkin karaoke on Wednesdays from 10 p.m. – close.
For more information, visit frogandfirkin.com.
Mr. Head’s Art Gallery & Bar (Thursdays)
513 N. Fourth Ave.
Not for the faint-hearted, Gong Karaoke starts Thursday nights at 10 p.m. Why so rough? The crowd isn’t afraid to boo — if enough people boo, the gong will get banged and your performance will abruptly end.
This has two benefits, however.
As a spectator, you won’t be subjected to repetitive or painful performances. As a singer, if you complete your song without getting gonged, you get a dollar off your next drink.
With their wide beer draft selection, you won’t have a problem choosing a cold one.
Keep up with Mr. Head’s on Facebook.
No Anchovies (Thursdays)
870 E. University Blvd.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx040hUh090/
Every Thursday from 10 p.m. – close, No Anchovies features karaoke upstairs.
For more information, visit noanchoviesaz.com.
The Hut (Thursdays)
305 N. Fourth Ave.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjEAv97DMFo/
The Hut features karaoke and all sorts of rowdy activities on Thursdays from 9 p.m. – close. If you need to take a break from all the singing, play some pool or cornhole outside.
Keep up with The Hut on Instagram.
Rusty’s Family Restaurant & Sports Grille (Thursdays)
2075 W. Grant Rd.
Rusty’s is a west Tucson staple. They draw a rowdy crowd for karaoke, which starts at 8 p.m. on Thursdays (Wednesdays if Thursday is closed for a holiday).
The tap list is impressive for a dive, while the menu offers a wide range of bar fare and comfort food classics such as spaghetti, meatloaf, and pot roast.
Keep up with Rusty’s Family Restaurant & Sports Grille on Facebook.
Royal Sun Restaurant & Lounge (Thurs – Sat)
1003 N. Stone Ave.
For another karaoke option near campus, visit the Royal Sun Restaurant & Lounge at the Best Western Royal Sun Inn & Suites from 7 p.m. – midnight on Thursdays and 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
The Arizona Daily Wildcat named it one of the best places for karaoke. While a hotel restaurant and lounge isn’t a place you’d expect shenanigans, there’s room to dance if you’re feeling rowdy. The bartenders occasionally join in the fun and perform rock ballads too.
For more information, visit bwroyalsun.com.
IBT’s (Fri – Mon)
616 N. Fourth Ave.
To catch karaoke before sunset, IBT’s has you covered. While Monday karaoke hours are 9 p.m. to close, Friday and Saturday are 5 – 8:30 p.m. and Sundays are 4 p.m. – close.
Though they have bar fare such as burgers, house-breaded chicken tenders, and wings, carne asada fries are more appealing after you’ve had a few drinks. The kitchen is open 4 – 11 p.m. daily.
If you stay late past karaoke, you’ll occasionally catch one of their drag shows.
For more information, visit IBT’s.
Jeff’s Pub (Fri – Sat)
112 S. Camino Seco
For east side karaoke, swing by Jeff’s Pub. Karaoke starts at 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
If you’re hungry, get one of the burgers with meat ground by Dickman’s Meat and Deli. It’s also one of the few places in town that offers steak fingers, but be aware that the kitchen closes at midnight.
Three pool tables are also available in case you need a break from singing.
Keep up with Jeff’s Pub on Facebook.
Nevada Smith’s Saloon (Fri – Sun)
1175 W. Miracle Mile
A hidden dive bar and affordable-eats gem, Nevada Smith’s features karaoke from 9 p.m. – close on Fridays and Saturdays and 6 p.m. – close on Sundays. Taco night is also on Sunday.
For more information, visit nevadasmithssaloon.com.
Bob Dobbs Bar & Grill (Saturdays)
2501 E. Sixth St.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6l2X2UFhz7/
Sundays from 10 p.m. – close, neighborhood bar Bob Dobbs hosts a bustling karaoke night.
For more information, visit bobdobbs-tucson.com.
Where are your favorite karaoke spots? Let us know in the comments.
[This article was originally written on June 9, 2016, and most recently updated on January 3, 2020.]
Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
