Step 2: Choose a Theme and Let the Guests Dress to Impress
A karaoke party experience is made even better with a solid theme. It doesn’t have to be full-on Glastonbury vibes, but a bit of direction makes things more exciting, and the photos way more entertaining.
Some easy wins on what to wear for a karaoke night:
- Pop Icons: Think glitter, crop tops and fake mics. Bonus points for someone coming as Harry Styles.
- Rock n Roll Legends: Leather jackets, sunglasses indoors and The Rolling Stones on the playlist.
- Duets Only: Get your karaoke gang to pair up and deliver their best Sonny & Cher.
Encourage fancy dress, but keep it optional. No one wants to be the only person dressed as Freddie Mercury while everyone else is in jeans.
Step 3: Curate the Ultimate Playlist Ahead of Time
We’ve all been there, staring at the screen for 10 minutes trying to think of “that song” you wanted to sing. Avoid that awkward silence by prepping a killer karaoke playlist beforehand.
If you're the one in charge, add songs that match the energy you’re going for. Want a hype night? Load up on karaoke songs from Dua Lipa, Little Mix, Lizzo and Bruno Mars. Going for a nostalgic throwback vibe? Queue up the 90s bangers and early 2000s heartbreakers.
Don’t forget to mix in a few of these:
- Best duet options (Shallow, anyone?)
- Sing-along classics (everyone knows Sweet Caroline, even if they won’t admit it)
- Power ballads for the drama kings and queens
Most private karaoke bars let you save or pre-load your song selection so you can jump straight into the song list when you arrive.
Step 4: Invite the Right Crowd
A karaoke event lives or dies by its group. You don’t need professional singers, just people who are game for a laugh and not afraid to belt out a verse or two. It’s not about perfect pitch, it’s about performance.
Be clear in your invite: this is a karaoke party, not a quiet drink. That way, people can mentally prepare (and maybe down a few drinks beforehand for courage).
Want to get fancy? Send digital invites with a theme and a link to a shared playlist so people can suggest songs before the karaoke evening.
Step 5: Prep Your Own Performances
There’s always a handful of go-to performers in every karaoke night, the ones who secretly rehearse their song in the shower all week. If that’s you, embrace it.
Run your karaoke game like a pro. Practise your track, nail the timing, and bring the energy. Want to step it up? Rope in a mate for a duet and choreograph some light (or ridiculous) moves.
Need inspiration? Here’s a quick list of some of the most popular karaoke songs:
- Mr Brightside – The Killers
- Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
- No Scrubs – TLC
- Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye (perfect for slow jams and ironic sultry moves)
- Valerie – Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson
These songs strike the balance between easy to sing, fun to watch and full of lyrics everyone kind of knows (and will probably scream).
Step 6: Don’t Skimp on the Extras (Food, Drinks, and Screens)
Once the singing karaoke starts, it’s hard to stop. People will lose track of time and possibly their voice. So make sure there’s fuel to keep everyone going.
Most karaoke bars offer food and drinks packages, think pizza platters, cocktails, and cheeky shots named after pop songs. (If they don’t have a drink called Livin’ La Vida Vodka, they’ve missed a trick.)
