What’s more fun than watching your friends sing pop songs off-key? Nothing, that’s what! But don’t go to a bar where you are forced to embarrass yourself in front of friends, foes, and strangers alike. As any Asian will tell you, the proper way to karaoke is in a private room in the company of your closest friends. Entering the Music Box feels akin to entering a seedy motel — the place is kind of grimy, the hallway is lined with many doors, and you pay by the hour. Depending on the night of the week and the size of the room, it will run you about $30 to $40 an hour. Not only will you be entertained by your pals belting out Love Shack, you will also be wowed by the cheesiest videos ever. If you suspect that the videos have nothing to do with the actual songs and that they are randomly generated, you might be right. Songbooks come in several languages, so make sure you ask for the one you want. The binders are filled with pages in plastic sheet protectors, again, randomly ordered. Not quite alphabetical, not quite by genre. But hey, searching for that perfect duet is part of the fun.
Readers’ Pick:
Tuesday nights at Shattuck Down Low
2284 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, 510-548-1159
ShattuckDownLow.com
