It's time for a karaoke night

At the end of a long day, sometimes the best way to blow off some steam is to belt out some tunes.

There’s only one kind of evening when everyone’s ultimate goal is to make a public spectacle of themselves. Think food, guilty pleasure songs and memories that you’ll never be able to forget—because they may just end up on Facebook or Snapchat: karaoke night.

Detroit comes equipped with a variety of joints that set aside an entire night of the week just for karaoke.

From bartenders to hosts, local karaoke aficionados have come forward to welcome students out for a night spent singing down the street. Head over to these sites and get ready to sing loud and sing proud—there’s nothing to lose.

The Garden Bowl at the Majestic Theatre

4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

“Detroit’s Premiere Entertainment Center,” the Majestic is a midtown hub home to a full-service café, Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizzeria & Deli, the Garden Bowl, the Magic Stick and karaoke nights.

Rob Harris, known as Robby Rob, hosts many karaoke nights all over the city. On Sundays, he works at the Majestic. Harris said when the pressure of doing well in school becomes daunting, karaoke is a great way to relieve stress.

“Sundays at the Garden Bowl are an awesome way to start your week,” Harris said. “With a bowling alley and amazing pizza, karaoke is the icing on the cake. You have people stop by to sneak a few more hours of weekend fun before having to get back to work or class on Monday.”

So grab a drink, order a slice and get on stage.

3rd Street Bar

4626 Third Ave., Detroit.

Adjacent to the former Dangerously Delicious Pies and a short walk from Jet’s Pizza is Midtown’s classic neighborhood watering hole, 3rd Street Bar.

On Tuesdays, Shredderz Foodtruck sets up shop in the parking lot, ready to fulfill any cravings for hash browns and sandwiches, and the stage is set for karaoke from 10 p.m. to closing.

Harris hosts, but bartender Jake Wade said local artist Dr. Bop makes regular appearances and sings his own music, like his single, “Big Booty Fried Chicken and Hot Sauce,” which has become a crowd favorite.

“The best way to describe the crowd on karaoke night is a mixed group of college kids, professionals and local drinkers,” Wade said.

Harris said what makes karaoke at 3rd Street special is that patrons never know what will happen or who will show up, because it’s a totally unpredictable crowd.

“One time, Motown legend Martha Reeves walked in as someone was singing 'Anaconda' by Nicki Minaj. Another time, Meg White from the White Stripes stopped by and asked me to play 'Daydream Believer' by the Monkees,” Harris said.

“I once had a guy get down on one knee during his karaoke song at 3rd Street Bar and propose to his girlfriend – she said ‘yes.’”

El Club

4114 Vernor Highway, Detroit.

A Mexicantown staple, El Club operates as a go-to destination for art and music that caters to all ages. Grab a slice of pizza pie from Pepe Z, the in-house catering service, and gear up for Wednesday night karaoke hosted by Brittany Badenoch – better known under the moniker Breezee One, “Detroit’s Queen of Karaoke.”

From 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., Badenoch encourages people to get excited and participate, because “karaoke is cheaper than therapy.”

“The best karaoke nights happen when you bring people together in a judgement-free zone to sing, dance and let loose,” she said. “It’s an exhilarating experience to get on the mic and express yourself. Karaoke brings people joy. It brings people together in a supportive and funny way, and the world needs more of that.”

Badenoch said while hosting a karaoke night, she watched as an audience member took out $50 in singles and made it rain during someone’s rendition of “Bandz A Make Her Dance” by Juicy J.

Badenoch said it was “lit,” and the singer got to keep the cash.

Checker Bar

124 Cadillac Square, Detroit.

Join Harris at Checker Bar for Thursday night karaoke, an establishment that has dubbed him “Metro Detroit’s hardest working man in karaoke.”

Known for their burgers, there are a variety of options available from the classic Checker Burger to the Blues Burger featuring melted blue cheese, along with sugar glazed peppercorn bacon and bourbon honey barbecue sauce. After all, who wants to sing on an empty stomach?

Although the singing doesn’t start until 8 p.m., another way to gear up before karaoke at Checker Bar is to head on over earlier for $2 sloppy joes, hot dogs and Stroh’s during Sloppy Hour on the weekdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. If you stop by Monday through Thursday, Stroh’s, plus a shot of fireball, is $6 with sloppy joes available for only $1 extra.

“Checker Bar has been known as a great place to get a burger downtown for several years,” Harris said. “On Thursday nights, karaoke attracts a wide range of singers preparing for the weekend. With lots of old-school arcade games and a kitchen that stays open late, it's a super fun place to hang out.”