Forget the usual Christmas dinner and pub drinks. MyLondon reporter Ines tried a karaoke private room for a fun alternative festive night out
Christmas is fast approaching, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably be starting to think about where to take your friends and family for a festive celebration. While a nice dinner or a few drinks at the pub are always popular choices, I’d argue that karaoke makes for a much more memorable night out.
And I think I’ve found my new favourite karaoke spot in London. I’ve tried plenty of private karaoke rooms across the capital, but there’s usually something that takes the fun out of the experience, whether it’s a glitchy system, a microphone that refuses to work or having to interrupt the singing every time you want to order another round.
That wasn’t the case at BAM Karaoke in Victoria, where I was genuinely surprised by the quality of the karaoke system. From the moment we stepped inside, it felt like we’d found somewhere a little different from your usual karaoke bar.
The interiors are sleek, with a basement-style atmosphere and a fun, glamorous twist. We booked the Peacock Room, which accommodates up to 35 people, and I was immediately impressed by how spacious it was.
There are two tiers of comfortable sofas, tables dotted around the room, a huge screen and four microphones, meaning there’s plenty of space to settle in while someone else takes centre stage. Equally, there’s enough room to gather in a semi-circle and belt out a group favourite together.
There are plenty of other private rooms to choose from depending on the size of your group, including smaller options with space for just four people.
Before getting started, a member of staff gives you a quick five-minute introduction to the system. After that, you’re pretty much left to enjoy your own private karaoke party.
One feature I particularly liked was the option to choose an ‘end song’ when your session is coming to a close. Rather than having the music cut off halfway through your favourite track, you get to pick one final song to finish the night on a high.
I’d also recommend pre-ordering your drinks, particularly if you’re celebrating with a larger group. We had four bottles of prosecco waiting for us when we arrived, complete with tall glasses, and you can order additional drinks throughout your two-hour session, with staff bringing everything straight to your room.
We also tried a selection of small plates, including fries with dip, nachos and spring rolls. However, the highlight for me was the wild mushroom arancini, which were particularly good and made for the perfect snack between performances.
As for the songs, there’s a huge selection to choose from, including plenty of international music and tracks in different languages. The interface looks remarkably similar to Spotify, making it incredibly easy to search for your favourites and add them to the queue.
There is one rather important artist missing, though: Taylor Swift. So, if you’re planning a Swiftie-themed team night out, you might want to have a backup plan!
For something a little different, you can also try karaoke roulette, where singers are selected at random, or choose a music genre and let the system surprise you with the tracks.
The biggest downside is that two hours simply aren’t enough! Our session flew by, and I could easily have stayed for another hour.
Prices start at £13.60 per person for the early bird rate, while the classic rate is £17 per person for a 6.30pm start. Weekend sessions are slightly more expensive, so it’s worth checking the rates before booking.
If you’re specifically organising a Christmas celebration, BAM Karaoke also offers dedicated festive packages, starting from £55 per person. These include drinks and canapés, and there’s a full Christmas menu available.
Overall, I’d happily swap the traditional Christmas dinner for another night at BAM Karaoke. It’s a fun, slightly different way to bring people together.
BAM Karaoke Box is located at 74 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6SQ. They open every day, most days from 2:30pm to 12:30am or 1:30am.
