What’s your go-to karaoke jam? My Way as sung by Frank Sinatra? Garth Brooks’ Friends in Low Places? How about (Hit Me) … Baby One More Time by Britney Spears?
It probably depends on the music you grew up listening to and how comfortable you are taking the stage. Lucky, then, that Southwest Florida has an array of fun and friendly karaoke nights fit for every level of crooner.
“Shows like The Voice and American Idol turned up karaoke, and people love to get up and sing,” says J.R. Ussery, who owns Spotlight Entertainment of SWFL with his wife, Denise. “I’ve had people of all ages participate, from 5 years old to an 86-year-old singing Frank Sinatra.”
Here’s our roundup of the best karaoke joints in Lee and Collier counties.
The Blue Monkey Bar & Grille, Naples
Every Wednesday night at 8, the stage comes alive at this East Naples restaurant and bar. You can expect a roster of regular singers who love country classics like Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash and deep vinyl cuts like Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb. But each week different singers of all ages spice things up with unexpected karaoke tunes. We’ve seen a 15-year-old kill it with Titanium by David Guetta featuring Sia (also known as the shower scene song from the a cappella movie Pitch Perfect), and a Gen Y guy growl his way through Bodies by hard rock band Disturbed.
The crowd at Blue Monkey is positive and supportive. The applause is always on point, and you’ll never hear complaints if someone hits the wrong note. The best parts about singing at Blue Monkey are that the stage is roomy, the microphone is wireless so you can roam the restaurant, and there are plenty of big screen TVs so you’ll never miss a lyric.
Tip: If you’re stuck on what song to sing, just ask Sunshine, one of the friendly servers. She always has great suggestions and is partial to a good Salt-N-Pepa rap song.
Details: 7550 Mission Hills Drive, Suite 326, Naples; 239-597-2583; bluemonkeybar.com
Sneaky Pete’s, Bonita Springs
This hidden gem might be jokingly referred to as “Senior Citizens Karaoke,” but trust us when we say these folks can belt out big tunes and outlast most of us until the bar’s midnight closing time.
Sneaky Pete’s karaoke on Monday and Tuesday nights starts at 7:30 and has been run by Ussery of Spotlight Entertainment of SWFL for the past five years.
“During season I have 40 to 50 people waiting in line to sing,” Ussery says. “Our brand of karaoke is really theatrical. It’s more of a stage presence thing. I encourage our regulars to grow accustomed to a song so they can really make a performance out of it and not just stare at a monitor the whole time.”
The stage at Sneaky Pete’s is large, the light show is impressive, and performers here like to get down. Most people select songs from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, with a huge nod to country music. Ussery says songs from Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Patsy Cline and George Strait are performed almost every night.
Tip: You can even email or text Ussery your song choices ahead of time. Visit spotlightjams.com for contact information.
Details: 3465 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs; 239-498-8887; sneakypetesbonita.com
Anthony’s on the Blvd., Cape Coral
A Cape Coral staple since 2007, Anthony’s on the Blvd. is known for its dedication to entertainment. And nothing is as entertaining as the hits and misses that come with karaoke.
Every Monday from 5:30-9:30 p.m., Jimmy St. Onge, owner of “Let’s Just Sing” Karaoke Entertainment, brings his extensive song catalog to Anthony’s. The crowd here skews mature, and the song choices naturally match that demo.
“It’s primarily people in their mid-40s and older,” St. Onge says. “They sing a lot of modern country and old classics like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. I hear My Way every session.”
St. Onge does his best to keep things light throughout the night, a good move considering up to 60 performers can be on the waitlist during high season. “I run a very fast rotation and average 4 minutes between singers,” he says. He spins upbeat tunes in between performers and chats up the crowd.
Although the crowd is generous with compliments and applause, singing at Anthony’s isn’t for the stage-shy. The karaoke spot is smack in the middle of the dining room, and St. Onge brings his own two-sided monitor so that the audience can read exactly what the singer is seeing. No mistakes allowed.
Tip: “Let’s Just Sing” owner St. Onge is Sound Choice-certified. That means he buys all his karaoke tunes legally. Some providers pirate music, and that can leave venue owners vulnerable to lawsuits. Yikes!
Details: 1303 Del Prado Blvd. S., Cape Coral; 239-772-5900; anthonysontheblvd.com
Bambusa Bar & Grill, Naples
Show tunes, serious ballads and sing-a-long songs are the name of the game at this hip restaurant and bar just blocks away from downtown Naples. With two karaoke nights—Mondays at 7 and Fridays at 8:30—you can find the crowd that best suits your style.
“Tommy T runs our Monday karaoke,” says Mel Biondi, co-owner of Bambusa Bar & Grill. “Tommy has a following of regulars who like his style. Friday night with Papa Tony is more of a mixed crowd with younger people.”
The stage at Bambusa is small with a wired mic, so you can’t move much, but it’s smack in the middle front of the floor plan so everyone inside can see you. Plus, the sound system is terrific, and Papa Tony does a great job at making singers—even rookies—feel at ease.
“The whole place has a comfortable feel to it,” Biondi says. “It’s a good vibe.”
Expect a lot of soulful ballads early in the evening when singers really want to show off their chops. Crowd-pleasers like Billy Joel’s Piano Man and earworms like Under the Bridge by the Red Hot Chili Peppers come a little later after the drinks have been flowing.
Tip: Come for the singing but stay for the food. Bambusa is the only restaurant in town to offer the Tortellacci, a house-made pasta that looks like a large tortellini stuffed with a blend of spinach and cheese and delicately topped with a tomato cream sauce.
Details: 600 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples; 239-649-5657; bambusaonline.com
Sharky’s Pizza Pub, Bonita Springs
As the newest kid in the karaoke club, Sharky’s Pizza Pub is still finding its voice. After a successful season run last year, owner Lorie Lenard shut down karaoke for the summer. But visitors were asking by the fall when they could take the stage again.
“There is a karaoke website (karaokejoints.com) so people can see who has karaoke on certain nights,” says Lenard. “We get a lot of first-timers from that.”
Karaoke at Sharky’s resumed in November on Wednesday nights, starting at 7 p.m. The pub has a large, open floor plan, so expect all eyes on you when you grab the mic in the designated karaoke corner.
“There’s no hiding here,” Lenard laughs.
Tunes from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s get heavy rotation.
Tip: The longest wait times to sing happen in January, February and March. We’re talking upward of 40 minutes.
Details: 4450 Bonita Beach Road, Suite 10, Bonita Springs; 986-0214; sharkyspizzapub.com
I, myself, am partial to late ’80s and ’90s hip-hop. So if you see a girl rapping Bust a Move by Young MC, come on stage and grab a mic with me!
