The karaoke phenomenon as we know it today burst onto the scene in Japan in the 1970s. It earned a widespread following in the US, and around the world, in the 1980s and '90s. And the good news is that the demand for karaoke nights is on a steady increase.
You can capitalize on its everlasting popularity to revitalize your business. But it takes more than just a karaoke machine to set up a thriving karaoke venue. Do you need some help creating your own karaoke experience? These are the seven must-have features for a successful karaoke bar.Â
Benefits of a Great Karaoke Bar Setup
Why should you set up a karaoke bar?
- A karaoke bar can be your primary activity or a complimentary one at your established venue. Either way, it appeals to a wide audience and thus helps venues widen their customer base.
- A successful karaoke setup in an existing business provides additional ongoing revenue streams for minimal investment. It can also drum up business in your quieter, off-peak hours.Â
- Karaoke has a universal appeal. You’ll boost engagement with customers of all ages and from all backgrounds. It’s an especially popular activity for attracting college seniors. If you’re interested in attracting more college students, our guide to college event ideas will help.Â
- Karaoke capabilities make your venue more appealing to event planners looking for venues to book in your area. From private to corporate events, karaoke options are always a big hit.
7 Must-Have Features for Your Karaoke Bar Setup
Are you ready to reap the benefits of a successful karaoke bar? Here are the seven must-have features.Â
A Dedicated Karaoke Event Space
You don’t need whole new business premises to start a karaoke venue. If you have some underutilized space, you can start a karaoke bar within your current venue. So your first step is to establish a dedicated karaoke event space to house your karaoke system.
1. Choosing a Room
If yours is a multi-purpose venue, you’ll need a dedicated karaoke event space that does not interfere with activities in other areas.Â
Choose a room that offers some privacy as your karaoke room. Don’t forget to add soundproofing to reduce background noise. You’ll be able to rent out your karaoke room for all types of private events, and even company events like end-of-year and holiday parties.
2. Setting Up the Stage
If your venue already has a stage, you could use it to host karaoke nights a couple of times a week. But if your karaoke space does not have a stage, you’ll have to build one. Create a designated karaoke stage area complete with adjustable lighting.Â
The stage does not have to be very big, but it must be elevated enough so that it’s visible from all the seating arrangements. Allow enough space for people to easily make their way from their seats to the stage and back when their turn comes to perform.Â
3. Creating the Mood
The karaoke venue’s ambiance is particularly important to the success of your karaoke setup. The surroundings should encourage participation from both the performers and the audience. Everything from lighting to decor plays a role in this.
Include comfortable seating arrangements for audience members to relax and enjoy the performances. If you’re going for a vintage discotheque vibe, don’t forget to add some disco lights. Â
High-Quality Karaoke Equipment
Invest in high-quality karaoke equipment and any supplementary audio-visual equipment you might need. This is what will bring your karaoke bar dreams to life. You can buy your karaoke hardware new, or second-hand. But ensure that it is in good working order before you purchase any used equipment.
4. Karaoke Machine
Of course, you can’t have a karaoke venue without specialized karaoke equipment, like a karaoke machine.Â
This device creates the musical accompaniment for singing. It plays pre-recorded tracks of popular songs with the instrumental sound only and not the vocals. Karaoke machines play the tracks while displaying the lyrics on a screen. The user follows the lyrics on-screen and sings into a connected microphone.Â
5. Audio Visual Equipment
Most karaoke machines have built-in speakers and one or more wired microphones. But you may choose to add extra speakers for enhanced sound quality and a surround-sound effect. You’ll need a good sound system for that.Â
Opt for powerful, high-wattage speakers. You’ll need them to produce enough volume in a crowded, noisy venue. Add a subwoofer for enhanced audio quality, an amplifier, and a mixer to control audio levels or add audio effects.
You'll need a screen or projector for displaying lyrics. A karaoke projector, monitor, or even a Smart TV are all suitable. This allows karaoke event participants to view music videos on a screen or display monitor while they sing. Some karaoke machines also have built-in video capabilities.
Karaoke Software
Leverage karaoke software to keep both users and audiences engaged. The secret to a thriving karaoke bar is a wide selection of songs. More importantly, you need to incorporate new songs regularly to keep your customers engaged.
6. Streaming Software
You can purchase special CDs for karaoke machines, download digital instrumental karaoke tracks, or subscribe to streaming services that have karaoke options.Â
Much will depend on the type of karaoke equipment you use, and how modern it is. Older, second-hand equipment will have less functionality.
7. Updates
A streaming service allows you to access a much wider range of popular songs, and keep your karaoke music library up-to-date. Check that the karaoke software has the karaoke music you want and is compatible with your other devices.Â
Also, ensure you have a stable internet connection, and do regular updates of your system to offer the most professional karaoke setup.Â
How to Market Your Karaoke Bar for Event Success
Effective marketing is the key to establishing a successful karaoke bar.Â
The marketing strategies you employ will differ from pre-launch through to your ongoing marketing efforts. Perfect Venue event management software will be there to help you plan, market, and manage your karaoke events, every step of the way.Â
Pre-Launch Marketing
Market your karaoke venue events on your website and social media pages. And list your venue on our Perfect Venue Marketplace, where event planners looking for karaoke venues can find you. Our Express Booking feature allows them to check your venue’s availability, select menu items for guests, and submit a deposit.Â
Send outreach marketing emails. You can use Perfect Venue software to streamline this process. Our software integrates with popular apps you probably already use, like Google Calendar and Gmail. Perfect Venue software allows you to generate professional digital proposals, send emails, and so much more.Â
Opening NightÂ
On your opening night, your attention will naturally turn to ensuring everything goes smoothly. But there’s still work to be done if you are to get the most from your karaoke endeavors. Use Perfect Venue software to set goals, and to track attendance at your karaoke event with analytics that automatically updates in real time.Â
You’ll have lots to do on the first night. But you can stay on track, even while on the go, with our mobile-friendly web app. Remember to check out our review of the best event ticketing software ahead of your big launch.Â
Continued Marketing
A successful karaoke bar needs continuous marketing to keep interest high and attract new customers.Â
Monitor your marketing strategy success and refine your approach as needed to reach even more potential customers. Compare monthly or yearly sales figures and attendance records, and make the changes necessary to keep your karaoke bar profitable.
Tips for Keeping Your Karaoke Bar Fresh and Engaging
Karaoke events can be a lot of fun, but customers can quickly tire of it unless you keep things fresh and engaging. Follow our top tips to keep your karaoke bar venue in high demand for private birthday parties, corporate event entertainment, and much more.Â
Regularly Update Karaoke Songs
Everyone has a favorite song. But new music comes out on the market all the time, and people embrace these more recent songs as their new favorite tunes. Regularly update your karaoke music with the library with the latest karaoke songs.Â
When you have an extensive song catalog, patrons will be more likely to return for future karaoke sessions to experience all the songs.Â
Plan Themed Karaoke Nights
Any type of event can get a boost with a theme. We highly recommend you consider incorporating themes for holiday parties and special events at your venue. You’ll enhance the karaoke experience with themed karaoke nights, keeping patrons engaged and eager for more.Â
Add the option of photos of performers on stage, that they may purchase after the event. If your venue has an event coordinator, discuss these ideas with them and ask what is achievable in your space.
Offer Wireless Microphones
Wired microphones do the job, but their cables can limit karaoke participants’ mobility. Long cables can even pose a tripping hazard, and that is something every venue owner/manager wants to avoid. Â
Invest in wireless microphones for your karaoke setup. Wireless mics are a much safer option for karaoke performers who like to dance around while they sing.
Facilitate Interaction
You’ll create more engagement with a karaoke host inviting song requests, and by introducing a scoring system with a leaderboard. One of your staff could play the role of karaoke host on specific nights.Â
This eliminates the need for hiring extra staff and encourages participation for much longer. It’s great fun for young and old, and an ideal way to address the team-building needs of visiting corporate teams.
Maintain Your Karaoke Machine
The success of your karaoke event space relies on having a functioning karaoke machine readily available. The last thing that you need is a karaoke machine breakdown on the night of a VIP karaoke party!
So, maintain your karaoke machine and keep it clean to keep it working properly. Electronic equipment is highly sensitive to dust particles and humidity levels. Cover the karaoke box and other equipment when they are not in use, to prevent dust or moisture from getting in.Â
Get the Karaoke Party Started with Perfect Venue
A karaoke system can turn any venue into a lively space. It’s the ideal solution to falling attendance and sales figures. And it can help you target a whole new market.Â
With the right karaoke bar setup and our helpful tips, you’ll be on your way to success. But to make the most of your new karaoke offering, you need the right event management software. You need Perfect Venue. Sign up today and enjoy a 14-day free trial.Â
