Urban Discoveries Baltimore

The Japanese are givers. That’s right, givers. They gave America sushi, samurai movies and ninja jokes. It’s because of them that our geeky teenage boys are able to move past comic books and onto anime. Where would the modern whaling industry be without the Japanese (and the Norwegians) propping it up with millions of dollars in government subsidies? And where would you go to badly sing bad pop songs in front of strangers without karaoke? Yeah, that’s what we thought. Thank you, Japan. Here are three places around Baltimore that you can indulge in Kelly Clarkson and world culture without being judged.

Walt’s Inn (3201 O’Donnell Street) (Get it? Waltz In? Never mind.) out in Canton has karaoke every single night of the week from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Let’s just say that they take it seriously. They’ve got suggested etiquette posted on their website along with helpful tips such as “Wait until no one is around and practice singing in a mirror, watching your face and posture you can tell how comfortable you are with the song and how well you are projecting emotion.” And their entire 20,000 song catalog is searchable on their website, so you won’t waste time practicing a song that they don’t have. Though, c’mon, they probably have it.

We’re fond of Dimitri’s Tavern (3820 Falls Road) in Hampden if only because it feels so honest. People come here once a week to sing, man, and they really mean it. What’s wrong with letting a little bit of your soul out while singing “I Dreamed a Dream” or “Jingle Bell Rock?” Nothing. Nothing at all. Karaoke starts Friday nights at 9:00 p.m.

Looking for something a bit more private? Nam Kang is a Koreatown restaurant staple by day, norabang hotspot by night. If you saw Lost in Translation, you know how it works: you and a few (or a dozen) of your best friends crowd into a private room with karaoke equipment, and you can sing to your heart’s content. Even better: both the kitchen and the karaoke stay open until 4:00 a.m.

Maybe our favorite place to sing karaoke in Baltimore is way out at the Poncabird Pub (1719 Poncabird Pass) in Southeast Baltimore. It’s a neighborhood place; it’s got an outdoor deck and tiki bar and the beer comes in plastic cups. Not that we care. No, what we care about is that the karaoke on Friday nights at 9:00 is virtually deserted, leaving our group of friends free to sing as loudly and as off-key as they want. Considering how large the Poncabird Pub is that can be a large, large group of friends. Sing with your souls, boys.

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