My friends and I stumbled on this place by accident and we will definitely be back soon. At fist we were hesitant because how busy it was but when you get in the grove it's like the the whole place was in sync. It's was a little frustrating that we didn't have seats and I think the manager noticed that so when a table opened up he immediately had us sat which was awesome. I think his name was Joel I'm not sure it's was a bit loud with everyone singing. My only regret is that when didn't get there earlier to sign up for a song but I guarantee we won't make that mistake again. 5 stars if you like Karaoke and a good crowd participation then Brando's is the spot to be. read more

Such a fun vibe and a great crowd! I went in on a Sunday evening and it was decently packed. The bar itself is dimly lit and moody. There's plenty of booth seating, as well as tall chairs at the bar. Once it was karaoke hour, I put myself on the list and started singing. Everybody is fun about it, whether the performer is conventionally a great singer or not, and I absolutely love it! There was even a group of 4+ girls who sang together on stage, and the energy was so infectious, it got the whole bar yelling the lyrics along with them. Would highly recommend! read more

Brando's was a good time. Drinks were solid. There's two main areas split by the bathrooms -- one focused on karaoke and the other for conversation (with bartenders available in both areas). When we arrived karaoke seemed pretty paired down but an hour or two in, it was lively with a long queue for singing. read more

Brando's Speakeasy - Karaoke Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place was packed, but so much fun!! The bartender was quick with orders and the karaoke was a great touch for the vibrant vibe of the bar. I didn't order any food as it was late night, but the drinks were great!! read more

Brando's Speakeasy - Martinis/Interior - Karaoke Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Honestly, Spot is great for cocktails, with excellent service and good vibes overall. I love that they have karaoke and a more low-key place to chat and hang out!! Every time I'm here, I always have so much fun and enjoy bringing friends from out of town to experience a great Chicago spot! read more

My friend's birthday was ruined. A confirmed, paid reservation for 10 people was canceled two days before the event -- just to make room for a group that would spend more money. No real solution was offered, a promised gift card never arrived, and emails went unanswered. This wasn't just an inconvenience. It was a special day that cannot be replaced. Treating a paying customer this way is simply wrong read more

Our line of business hosted the employee happy hours for our employee appreciation week at "Brando's Speakeasy." I have passed by this place a couple of times and always been curious about it. Overall, I liked the fact this was a cozy venue, but I felt super crowded inside and their patio was rather petite to allow the entire floor of office workers to mingle around. I believe there was one, maybe two, bartenders working for our event. They worked efficiently and order requests were filled quickly. I was able to be offered a 0% Heineken, which was nice for someone who doesn't drink. Pizza was served for our party, but it was impossible to get to and I kept on missing out my opportunities every time they brought out a new batch. There was a karaoke bar yet I personally didn't take advantage of. On my way out I saw other patrons were singing. "Brando's" location is great for people who are looking for some fun and fellowship while hanging out in downtown Chicago. I would say the location is awesome for meeting up people after work. However, I honestly don't think it is the best choice of venue for a large party. I still had a good time, chatting and getting to know some of my co-workers. Thank you, "Brando's Speakeasy," for having us! read more

I didnt eat anything but i will say service was decent and i felt bad for the bar tender. but she was having fun. happy hour singers are pretty good. dance floor pretty active too!! The karaoke dj impressive. I recommend eating at Native Foods one block down before grabbing happy hour drinks here. Thats right: happy hour is still M-F 5-7 in Spring 2025! read more

Brando's Speakeasy - happy hour singers are pretty good. dance floor pretty active too!! - Karaoke Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped in on a weeknight and karaoke was happenin! The bar is actually 2 bars, hence "speakeasy" - the karaoke dive bar and on the other side of the curtain, a cozy cocktail bar. Fun vibes and supportive crowd! Would go again! read more

Happy hour until 7pm, well crafted cocktails and karaoke! Gave a theatre kid hipster vibe, but I wasnt mad about it. Food is extremely limited and tasted freezer burnt, but again, cocktails were super super good! There isnt table service, so we ordered directly from the bartender who let us open a tab. Super easy though and we never really had to wait. Bartender stood on businesses and cocktails were very consistent! read more

Karaoke is great if you are a local! I totally don't understand the rotation!! Watched multiple people singing more than once while we waited to sing !! Not a good policy read more

Have found myself land at Brando's many a late night. Atmosphere has a speakeasy vibe. It can get really busy/crowded (wish there was a tad more space). Karaoke is a main draw (and the fact that it's open super late). It's a fun atmosphere. Service can be a bit slow due to how busy it gets. read more

This is a very cozy speakeasy; friendly bar staff with a lively karaoke crowd. We came for a happy hour and stayed for the shows/karaoke lol. I appreciate the crowd participation and the drinks were simple happy hour drinks. I think I got a tequila and Sprite. A lot of students came in and also save a few songs. But I really love the vibe of this place. It is a very open speakeasy with the dark lighting but welcoming at the same time. read more

Brando's Speakeasy - Karaoke Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The best food, service, and atmosphere. A great vibe whether you want karaoke or bar, everyone can get on stage and everyone can have a read more

Brando's Speakeasy - Brandos has hotties - Karaoke Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I checked off my first visit this week during Happy Hour. $5 drinks specials!? Say less! Food: N/A. I was full already but they have Pizza fyi. Drinks: I had a Paloma which I only got because I had been drinking Tequila already but I've come to the conclusion that Paloma and I are eh LOL!! So I am definitely returning to try the other HH specials! Service: Good Atmosphere/Ambiance: It gave me that after work vibe. Final Thoughts/Recommendations: I'm definitely returning for karaoke and to try the other drinks! I would recommend it. read more

Brando's Speakeasy - Paloma - Karaoke Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I went to Brando's for part of a bachelorette celebration and we had a great night on Sunday. Drinks prices are super reasonable especially if you get one of the drink packages. However, it's only limited to basic mixed drinks like orange juice vodka or rum and coke etc. Nothing fancy on their cocktail menu are included in the basic drink package. It was a fun night. We got a booth to ourselves with a group of 11 girls. I'm usually not into karaoke in front of an audience but everyone was friendly and I guess it's also less intimating when you notice some others aren't pitch perfect either. The only downside is the bartender is kind of seeming upset and not satisfied with the tips we gave him. He kept reminding us to give tips. We had drink tickets some of us were planning to hand him a tip at the end once we finish our drink package. Even my friend handed him $5usd for 2 drinks at one point and I don't think he was satisfied with that either. In terms of dress code it's all over the place. Some people were dress to the nines while some came in casual. There was another bridal party that came here just after their wedding as an after party too. They went to the other side which is a speakeasy without the karaoke system. However, some of their friends from the bridal/groomsmen party hung out with us instead (lol because we're more fun)? Overall classy spot with comfy seats and it wasn't too busy on a Sunday night. read more

Brando's Speakeasy - Karaoke Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It was my first time visiting Brando's and omg so much fun! They have a cover charge over the weekend that needs to be paid upfront and in cash. It is a relatively tighter space but pretty manageable. They have Karaoke going on and everyone has to put in their request to the DJ and wait for their turn. The queue was huge but nevertheless fun! The crowd is young, hip and overall a very fun vibe. We tried a couple of their cocktails - espresso martini, B-sharp which was a vodka and kiwi based drink and Bathtub Gin. The drinks were pretty decent. If you like Karaoke vibes, you should definitely check out this place! read more

Brando's Speakeasy - Karaoke Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It's a Chicago classic that never disappoints!!!!! After 8 years of being regular at this speakeasy, stepping back in this past weekend after a long time felt like a nostalgic trip to the past. The vibe is very vintage, cozy, lively. The karaoke scene is ALWAYS lit. Everyone's vibing, dancing and singing along. The drinks are solid and reasonably priced and the bartenders are friendly; been seeing the same guys working the bar since a few years now. Truly captures the city's spirit. I hope they keep it real for many more years to come!! This time in my visit I noticed that they started charging $5 for the entry though (to be paid only in cash)!!! read more

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Stopped in with friends and ended up having a much better night than we expected. The place has this fun mix of old-school charm and lively energy, and it really comes alive once the crowd settles in. What surprised me most was how welcoming the atmosphere felt -- people were cheering each other on during karaoke, and it created this upbeat, easygoing vibe that made the night even better. Drinks were well-made, the music kept the room energized, and there was always something going on that pulled everyone into the moment. Even with the place getting busier later in the night, the staff stayed attentive and kept everything running smoothly without making anyone feel rushed. I also loved how organized the karaoke setup was. Being able to add songs without waiting around made the experience feel seamless, and it helped keep the energy flowing. It's the kind of spot where you can unwind, have a laugh, grab something tasty, and forget about your week for a while. All in all, it turned out to be one of those unexpectedly great nights out. I'd absolutely come back and recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, relaxed place to hang out and enjoy some good music and good company. read more

Loved this place. Met a friend for happy hour to catch up and this was so perfect. There was a large corporate group there living their best lives at karaoke offering some quality people watching entertainment. Drinks were solid, food was good. My food was actually lost in the crowd but the back bar tender was fantastic and got it taken care of. I've already recommended this place to friends and have recommended it for a corporate booking! read more

Brando's Speakeasy - Bar, decor, karaoke monitor - Karaoke Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Omg! Now this place was a treat. This vintage little quaint spot was just what I needed for a Friday evening. It was intimate then as the night went on it became bussing bussing! It was all good from there. Everyone supported eachother as we and Karaoke. The cocktails were nice and strong. The pizza was good enough to sober me up. The Bartender kept the drinks strong. I can see myself coming back. read more

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Great drink, a good time lol. This place is filled with people who actually want to dance like no one's watching. Despite being busy the bartender kept up with orders pretty well! read more

I love Brando's! They have insane happy hour deals. You can get a bunch of cocktails for five dollars. The only downside is it's usually pretty packed in there but if you go early you can snag a booth. They also obviously have karaoke which is makes for a fun and interactive night! read more

I love a good happy hour spot!! A casual place with chill patrons. Drinks were a little weak off the hh menu but can't complain about the $5 drinks! Would do it again! We actually ended up with free shots of Johnnie Walker(?) scotch bc they happened to be promoting. A nice surprise! They serve pizza if you need a bite (gets the job done). Left with such a cheap bill!! Didn't get to hear any karaoke but love that it's available. read more

Brando's Speakeasy - Paloma, red wine, pizza - Karaoke Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I used to be a Brando's regular when I first moved to Chicago in 2018. Every Friday, my friends and I would swing by, desperately hoping that our name gets called out soon for the karaoke. I visited again after over 5 years, and was surprised to see that there were almost no changes except for the karaoke list being all online now. I am saying this in a positive way because Brandon's has preserved its true Chicago essence and I loved feeling nostalgic after visiting after 5 years. The bartenders and the karaoke guy were the same ones I had seen 5 years ago and it felt like I was back in time. The vibe is electric, everyone dances to all tunes, no one really cares how you sing since it's all about the vibes. The drinks are good and decently priced, never watered down and the bartender has always been friendly and fast at making drinks. I just don't know how he manages the entire bar alone on most nights. I have nothing but love for Brandon's and hope they preserve their authenticity for many more years to come and continue being the Chicago staple that they are! read more

Was in town for the week and decided to stop in. I was not disappointed! There is a great selection of drinks to choose from and the bartender is phenomenal! I also love karaoke so this was an added bonus as well! The ability to sign up for songs online is genius. If I am ever back in town, I will definitely stop back in! read more

We had a fun night. It's worth a stop The staff was kind and the people were fun. Good drinks read more

Fun time and excellent drinks! We were visiting Chicago from out of town and found this amazing gem! We had some happy hour drinks, then moved to the back bar for trivia. Lots of fun and all of the patrons seemed to be enjoying themselves. We didn't order any food, but the pizza others around us got smelled delightful and they devoured it quickly! read more

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Getting an invitation to Brando's Speakeasy for a night of cocktails and fun? It's an offer you can't refuse. Speakeasy bars like this are always cool but this is one of the best for sure. Cocktails are the only thing on the menu. That's all you need of course besides the cool vibes. As is the case at many speakeasies, it seems the main focus is on the cocktails. If looking for classics you can get these from here. There's also lots of newer stuff of course, all good and all strong. It's about $16 for a cocktail. That's a lot. Only complaint. Simple ordering process because the cocktails have numbers and no catchy names like many of these bars around here. All are good. The #9 Cocktail is one of the best though. This has banana, blanco tequila, lime, strawberry, and vanilla. A lot of these have eggs or honey so vegans be careful. This helps narrow the list a bit which is helpful of course so that's one positive. Fun times any time it's open, which is every day unlike many speakeasies that have limited hours. It's also never very crowded in here, which allows one to enjoy the entertainment such as karaoke. This is good for a weekend or whenever. read more

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I came here with my friends after work one day to experience their happy hour. They have $5 cocktails galore. The back room is pretty nice to sit in and starts to clear out towards the back end of happy hour. It seems like they also have karaoke and the bouncer loves to sing if there's not many people in the queue. read more

Great happy hour specials and nice atmosphere. Will definitely be back! Service was great!

Great place for karaoke and drinks. Lovely chill spot and awesome staff members. The ambience is amazing.

Best happy hour deal ever!! $5 cocktails. Also it's lively and fun every night of the week! If you want to sing a song, then the earlier you get there the better. If you get there late on a weekend night it'll be quite a long wait to sing but sooo fun! Just recommend putting your name down as soon as you walk in if you're trying to sing during peak hours. read more

If you are looking for a small bar format karaoke downtown on a Saturday, you'll love this spot. The bar was busy when we went on a Sunday night, but there wasn't a line to get in. My friends were able to sing their favorite songs without a long wait. Bartender was busy but remarkably fast. We got a free pizza for checking in on yelp, it was small but hey it was free! Bathrooms were clean and our crew had a lovely time. read more

Brando's Speakeasy - HBD DMK - Karaoke Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Brandie's Speakeasy can be chill in the back of the bar or super fun for a larger group. The decorations are historic yet has some neon signs for great photos. The front karaoke bar is always a blast with people singing and having a great time. Fun vibes all around. read more

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We went for a Tuesday evening happy hour. The place filled up fairly quickly after 5pm. There were only 2 bartenders working (1 on each side), but drink service was still quick. No waiters or waitresses--go up to the bar to order. The $5 happy hour drinks were pretty marginal, but can't complain for the price. We tried to order fries to munch on, but we're told only pizza was available so we ordered a cheese pizza. It's basically just a frozen deep dish personal pizza, but it wasn't in the oven long enough. The sauce lacked flavor and there was no cheese pull. The atmosphere was interesting. They call themselves a speakeasy, but other than the decor I didn't get that vibe. They were blasting hype music in between a lot of country karaoke. Overall, I'd say this is a good place to grab a quick drink or two for happy hour before going for dinner elsewhere. read more

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I got to give my fianceé the credit for this find. Located a block south of the Jackson Blue Line stop, this low-key speakeasy merely sports a neon martini glass sign above it's on-street door. When you enter through two-sets of doors and you'll immediately emerge into dimly lit bar with gothic and red lighting and find them bumping old-school hiphop. The music selection great-- at least it was when we entered on a Wednesday night. Brando's sports a daily Happy Hour from 5-7pm with a shortlist of beverages that cost only $5 a drink. From their HH menu I'd recommend their Revolution Brewery cans and their White Claws. Their cocktails need work (at least on the HH menu). I'll have to return here for their signature and house cocktails sometime and their karaoke nights... Which by the way is every night. You can easily sign up for a song and sing your night away. Definitely will revisit here! read more

Brando's Speakeasy - Red-lit speakeasy - Karaoke Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've loved this place for years. Just visited again Saturday, been 2 years. The vibes are just as lit as they were in 2017. The staff is hilarious and amazing. Wish I got there before they stopped cooking food, but I know it's still bomb! read more

Love coming to Brando's! They have fantastic happy hour deals and service is always great. They do have Karaoke some nights, which can definitely be either a plus or a minus depending on the vibe you're looking for! read more

Happy hour is solid. $5 5-7pm Old fashioned pretty solid Mule tart Palomaa pick again White claw Miller lite Pizza not bad Decor is gorgeous. Music wasn't too loud and pretty good although did not match the speakeasy vibe. They have karaoke but did not partake. Good vibe. Cons: could do without the weed smell and needs a good cleaning read more

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