Kostume Karaoke

It's karaoke in wacky costumes! What's not to love and enjoy about it? Well, the premise is fantastic and awesome in so many ways. You want to sing? Then you must put on a crazy costume. And you can choose from their selection of costumes, complete with various wigs and hats. And the song list is quite extensive too. (Though, there are zero New Kids on the Block songs.)The delivery, however, fell a bit short of the expected awesomeness. The host I experienced was honestly one of the worst karaoke hosts ever. She was bitchy and un-fun. And who wants a bitchy and un-fun host? She kinda sucked out the fun. Maybe it was just an off night? Maybe there are better hosts?I will totally be checking it out again and hoping for a better experience. Karaoke in krazy kostumes should be an out of this world fun time. Maybe next time it will actually deliver such an experience.

I previously thought Washington DC was not really my scene. You see, coming from New Orleans, it is really difficult for me to lose the Mardi Gras beads and feathers and nudity and general debauchery in favor of the ubiquitous business casual and propriety. Moreover, I had to go to a business meeting in DC ON MY BIRTHDAY so, generally speaking, I was bummed.Until I found Kostume Karaoke. From the moment I walked in, I was overtaken by this wonderful positive energy. All my skepticism about DC fell by the wayside. Yes, it is possible to have a raucous night in a perfectly pressed and starched Brooks Brothers button down, I learned, especially when the karaoke bar provides you with such accessories as butterfly wings and Santa Claus beards. The queue was very long so I was a little nervous I wouldn't get to sing but, after I told the amazing KJ (who was goin' hard in da karaoke paint WHILE ON CRUTCHES-- mad props), I got the BIRTHDAY BUMP, which means you get to sing in approximately three songs AND the KJ will implore the crowd to buy you shots. Before I even got to sing "Just A Girl" while wearing my full Santa Claus beard (naturally), the KJ had the entire bar sing "Happy Birthday" to me. I was in heaven, confirmed by a subsequent performance I watched of a dude in a poncho singing Alice In Chains' "Man In The Box" with the whole bar providing backup vocals.DC, you have earned my respect because YOU respect karaoke.

Kostume Karaoke is da' bomb... I love it! I accidently stumbled upon it last night while ordering my rum and coke at Solly's Tavern on U Street (I have to admit, I went to look at cute guys). I heard clapping and singing upstairs and asked the friendly gentleman next to me what was going on. He said "karaoke" and I made my way upstairs. What a great event! Outfitted with crazy-ass wigs, capes made of old rugs and whatever was available at Goodwill (don't hate... I buy super-cute skirts at Goodwill), karaoke singers are singing their hearts out on stage to songs available in their song book which are scattered upstairs in their performance area. Our hostess was hysterical and everyone was having a great time. The drinks are cheap and the people are unpretentious. I still met my original intentions of checking out the cute guys... LOL!!!

What could be better than dancing around while your new brother-in-law is dressed like Bootsy Collins and singing Brick House? NOTHING! And that is exactly why I am so glad I convinced my husband-to-be to have Kostume Karaoke as the entertainment at our wedding. BEST. WEDDING. DECISION. EVER. By far the most bang for the buck and one hundred million billion times better than some annoying (and expensive) wedding DJ. Everyone had an incredible time and many guests (even my mom) told us it was the most fun they've had at a wedding, ever. Sure, we were a little nervous because this could go either way right? People might not sing or pick terrible songs *coughjourneycough* or just generally kill the party. I took out a little insurance and asked Debbi (KJ extraordinaire) to play about an hour of regular dance music to begin with just in case. Well, that playlist barely made it to 20 minutes because everyone was chomping at the karaoke bit. Guests who didn't even know if they liked karaoke or not became instant fans. It was magic!By the way, the song selection has gotten even better since my 2012 review (Flight of the Conchords? Wham Rap? Hate on Me???? EXTRA YES PLEASE!)BEST BEST BEST! Hire them for your party/wedding/whatever RIGHT NOW! Stop thinking about it and do it!

i love this. there is no other way of saying it. i love the crowd, i love the organizers, i love the bar, i love the songs, i LOVE the costumes. this is definitely the #1 karaoke in dc, and i hate that now it will be too full to get all my songs in, but i am happy to see it grow!i never miss a kk

Apparently, they only have karaoke on Thursdays at 8pm. Not only that, when I called, the only guy working there said that he has no idea about their karaoke systems. Now, I realize this isn't a proper review, but based on that guy on the phone, I will never go to this bar.

If you really believe that you need to make even MORE of a fool of yourself than you probably already are by singing karaoke, then you had better run on over to Solly's for some costume Karaoke. Enjoy $3 PBR and cheap rails if you get there early. Enjoy drunk theater folks singing wayy too serious songs if you get there late. For the record, Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera is NOT an OK choice for costume Karaoke...

The first time I attended a Kostume Karaoke event, it was an accident. We stopped by for a quick drink at Solly's (11th NW& U. Street NW), and heard the crowd upstairs. Hell yeah...we had to see what was going on!Who knew a one time visit would be such an addiction? The music, the costumes, the selection of songs...all top choice! Add the 'best-est' (yeah...I went there) bartender in the world (the lovely Kate), and our awesome KJs (Debbie/Libby) and you've got the perfect party every other Wednesday. I only share this with the cool folks, 'cause it's something that too special to just give away. It's a 'jones' that I'll never get rid of, because it's just that damn good!W-

How have I not reviewed this yet? Great girls night out or date night, especially for people who were once musical theater nerds. Best if you practice in advance with your costume and really ham it up, or go to one of the finals shows to see the best of the best.

I started a review for this and apparently gave it 4 stars. I don't know. I was pretty drunk. Don't take my word for it. But I must have been enthusiastic at the time because I don't post many reviews unless there is a good reason.