Best Karaoke Bars in Ottawa

Ottawa has two kinds of karaoke: private KTV rooms with multilingual song libraries (great for groups who want to belt it out without strangers watching), and open-mic bars where anyone can grab the stage. Both have strong options in the city.

Here's where to go for karaoke in Ottawa.

Private KTV Rooms

VIP Karaoke Bar

VIP Karaoke on Somerset Street in Chinatown is Ottawa's main private-room KTV. Soundproof rooms fit 4 to 20 people, and the song library covers English, Korean, and Chinese hits. It's the go-to for bachelorettes, birthdays, and anyone who wants to sing K-pop or Mandarin songs without an audience of strangers.

Style: Private rooms | Price: $40/hour + tax | Hours: Daily 6pm–2am

1383 Karaoke Bar & KTV

1383 KTV in Nepean has a 50,000+ song library across multiple languages, including a deep K-pop catalog. Three room sizes — small ($55/hr), medium ($65/hr), and VIP/large ($85/hr) — with a YouTube integration for anything not in the system. Free parking is a bonus.

Style: Private rooms | Price: $55–85/hour | Hours: Closed Mon. Tue–Thu 6pm–12am, Fri 6pm–2am, Sat 2pm–2am, Sun 2pm–12am

Open-Mic Karaoke Bars

The Lookout Bar

The Lookout on York Street won the 2024 Ottawa Award for Best Karaoke. Wednesday and Sunday nights are karaoke nights, hosted by Meghan. It's an LGBTQ+ inclusive bar with a stage, and the crowd is supportive — easy to get up even if you've never sung at a bar before.

Style: Open mic / stage | Cover: Free | Karaoke nights: Wed evening, Sun 8pm–11pm (check social for Wednesday start time)

Swizzles Bar & Grill

Swizzles on Queen Street runs karaoke three nights a week — Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday — hosted by Canine Sound & Vision (formerly Dog & Pony Sound). The crowd leans LGBTQ+ and regulars are serious about their song choices. Classic rock to current pop, full bar and grill menu, no cover.

Style: Open mic / stage | Cover: Free | Karaoke nights: Wed 9:30pm–1:30am, Fri 9:45pm–1:45am, Sun 9:30pm–1:30am

The Royal Oak (Bank Street)

The Royal Oak at 188 Bank Street hosts Karaoke Shark every Saturday from 9pm to 1am — a community-driven karaoke crew that runs nights at multiple Ottawa venues. Traditional pub setting — full menu, full bar, mixed community crowd.

Style: Open mic / stage | Cover: Free | Karaoke night: Sat 9pm–1am

Atomic Rooster

Atomic Rooster on Bank Street runs "Karaoke Mondaze" every Monday from 10pm to 2am with host Lance The Romance. Half-price wings all night. The pub-bistro setting, solid food menu, and local crafts on tap make it a full night out, not just a karaoke stop.

Style: Open mic / stage | Cover: Free | Karaoke night: Mon 10pm–2am

Karaoke Options Compared

Which Karaoke Is Right for You?

• Want to sing Korean or Mandarin songs? → VIP Karaoke or 1383 KTV
• Group of 10+ people? → VIP Karaoke or 1383 KTV (large rooms fit up to 20)
• Don't want to sing in front of strangers? → Private rooms at VIP or 1383
• Looking for a night out, don't want to commit to a room? → The Lookout or Swizzles
• Saturday night karaoke? → Royal Oak (Karaoke Shark)
• Start your week with karaoke? → Atomic Rooster (Monday, half-price wings)

Tips

• Book private rooms ahead — VIP and 1383 fill up on weekends, especially for birthdays
• Arrive early at open-mic bars — sign-up is first-come, so get there before 9pm on busy nights
• Check the host's schedule — karaoke hosts sometimes change nights; official social media is more reliable than Google hours
• Drink minimums apply at private rooms — expect to order drinks even if you're there for the room
• 19+ after 9pm at most bar karaoke venues (Ontario legal drinking age)