Kostume karaoke is always a really good time. Solly's is an authentic dive bar in the DC scene and the weekly karaoke is a great way to enjoy an evening. Really friendly crowds and lots of fun. read more

It's karaoke in wacky costumes! What's not to love and enjoy about it? Well, the premise is fantastic and awesome in so many ways. You want to sing? Then you must put on a crazy costume. And you can choose from their selection of costumes, complete with various wigs and hats. And the song list is quite extensive too. (Though, there are zero New Kids on the Block songs.) The delivery, however, fell a bit short of the expected awesomeness. The host I experienced was honestly one of the worst karaoke hosts ever. She was bitchy and un-fun. And who wants a bitchy and un-fun host? She kinda sucked out the fun. Maybe it was just an off night? Maybe there are better hosts? I will totally be checking it out again and hoping for a better experience. Karaoke in krazy kostumes should be an out of this world fun time. Maybe next time it will actually deliver such an experience. read more

I previously thought Washington DC was not really my scene. You see, coming from New Orleans, it is really difficult for me to lose the Mardi Gras beads and feathers and nudity and general debauchery in favor of the ubiquitous business casual and propriety. Moreover, I had to go to a business meeting in DC ON MY BIRTHDAY so, generally speaking, I was bummed. Until I found Kostume Karaoke. From the moment I walked in, I was overtaken by this wonderful positive energy. All my skepticism about DC fell by the wayside. Yes, it is possible to have a raucous night in a perfectly pressed and starched Brooks Brothers button down, I learned, especially when the karaoke bar provides you with such accessories as butterfly wings and Santa Claus beards. The queue was very long so I was a little nervous I wouldn't get to sing but, after I told the amazing KJ (who was goin' hard in da karaoke paint WHILE ON CRUTCHES-- mad props), I got the BIRTHDAY BUMP, which means you get to sing in approximately three songs AND the KJ will implore the crowd to buy you shots. Before I even got to sing "Just A Girl" while wearing my full Santa Claus beard (naturally), the KJ had the entire bar sing "Happy Birthday" to me. I was in heaven, confirmed by a subsequent performance I watched of a dude in a poncho singing Alice In Chains' "Man In The Box" with the whole bar providing backup vocals. DC, you have earned my respect because YOU respect karaoke. read more

Kostume Karaoke is da' bomb... I love it! I accidently stumbled upon it last night while ordering my rum and coke at Solly's Tavern on U Street (I have to admit, I went to look at cute guys). I heard clapping and singing upstairs and asked the friendly gentleman next to me what was going on. He said "karaoke" and I made my way upstairs. What a great event! Outfitted with crazy-ass wigs, capes made of old rugs and whatever was available at Goodwill (don't hate... I buy super-cute skirts at Goodwill), karaoke singers are singing their hearts out on stage to songs available in their song book which are scattered upstairs in their performance area. Our hostess was hysterical and everyone was having a great time. The drinks are cheap and the people are unpretentious. I still met my original intentions of checking out the cute guys... LOL!!! read more

What could be better than dancing around while your new brother-in-law is dressed like Bootsy Collins and singing Brick House? NOTHING! And that is exactly why I am so glad I convinced my husband-to-be to have Kostume Karaoke as the entertainment at our wedding. BEST. WEDDING. DECISION. EVER. By far the most bang for the buck and one hundred million billion times better than some annoying (and expensive) wedding DJ. Everyone had an incredible time and many guests (even my mom) told us it was the most fun they've had at a wedding, ever. Sure, we were a little nervous because this could go either way right? People might not sing or pick terrible songs *coughjourneycough* or just generally kill the party. I took out a little insurance and asked Debbi (KJ extraordinaire) to play about an hour of regular dance music to begin with just in case. Well, that playlist barely made it to 20 minutes because everyone was chomping at the karaoke bit. Guests who didn't even know if they liked karaoke or not became instant fans. It was magic! By the way, the song selection has gotten even better since my 2012 review (Flight of the Conchords? Wham Rap? Hate on Me???? EXTRA YES PLEASE!) BEST BEST BEST! Hire them for your party/wedding/whatever RIGHT NOW! Stop thinking about it and do it! read more

i love this. there is no other way of saying it. i love the crowd, i love the organizers, i love the bar, i love the songs, i LOVE the costumes. this is definitely the #1 karaoke in dc, and i hate that now it will be too full to get all my songs in, but i am happy to see it grow! i never miss a kk read more

If you really believe that you need to make even MORE of a fool of yourself than you probably already are by singing karaoke, then you had better run on over to Solly's for some costume Karaoke. Enjoy $3 PBR and cheap rails if you get there early. Enjoy drunk theater folks singing wayy too serious songs if you get there late. For the record, Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera is NOT an OK choice for costume Karaoke... read more

The first time I attended a Kostume Karaoke event, it was an accident. We stopped by for a quick drink at Solly's (11th NW& U. Street NW), and heard the crowd upstairs. Hell yeah...we had to see what was going on! Who knew a one time visit would be such an addiction? The music, the costumes, the selection of songs...all top choice! Add the 'best-est' (yeah...I went there) bartender in the world (the lovely Kate), and our awesome KJs (Debbie/Libby) and you've got the perfect party every other Wednesday. I only share this with the cool folks, 'cause it's something that too special to just give away. It's a 'jones' that I'll never get rid of, because it's just that damn good! W- read more

Karaoke is quite addictive, at least to me. Standing in front of people, singing what you like, and hopefully what the crowd likes. KK takes it to the extreme of requiring you to put on an over-the-top outrageous costume (costumes provided) to sing your song. It's hands down the most entertaining, lively, energetic, friendly karaoke crowd in the district. However, you gotta get there early to get your name on the list. I'm normally there by 9 or 10pm and really only have a chance to sing one song by 2am. I'd recommend a more intelligent system of ordering singers, so that's not a first-come-first-served pattern where the same people sing many songs, while you wait. read more

Kostume Karaoke, originally at Wonderland where I don't think it did quite as well and I think at Palace of Wonders for awhile too (and possibly expanding or moving to H St. next I hear) = A great time. Finally checked it out last night with the boyfriend and found it nice and packed with plenty of cheery regulars. Costumes should be a requirement for all karaoke world-wide because it totally gets you in the mood to sing even for those of us with stage-fright. (This is an advantage over Sticky Rice's also-great karaoke too - no costumes there.) Just one highlight of the night: Lionel Richie's "Hello," complete with a reinactment throughout of the music video's stalked blind girl sculpting the face. http://stereogum.com/archives/hello_001195.html read more

I started a review for this and apparently gave it 4 stars. I don't know. I was pretty drunk. Don't take my word for it. But I must have been enthusiastic at the time because I don't post many reviews unless there is a good reason. read more

Apparently, they only have karaoke on Thursdays at 8pm. Not only that, when I called, the only guy working there said that he has no idea about their karaoke systems. Now, I realize this isn't a proper review, but based on that guy on the phone, I will never go to this bar. read more

What a great idea: costumes and karaoke together. Kostume karaoke was an absolute breeze to work with for my staff Christmas Party.. Debbi helped with the planning and was great to organize with. She answered any question I had quickly. She worked well with the venue to make sure they had the proper equipment to set up the event. Aubri, who led the group that night, helped warm everyone up by singing a song first. She was knowledgeable about the playlists and had great instincts about what to play when no one was signing up. Within a few songs, this was no longer an issue. Big thanks to them for being flexible and letting us extend the party at the last minute when the sign up list grew. Cannot say enough great things about this group. My employees had a blast! read more

How have I not reviewed this yet? Great girls night out or date night, especially for people who were once musical theater nerds. Best if you practice in advance with your costume and really ham it up, or go to one of the finals shows to see the best of the best. read more

AMAZING karaoke! You get to put on a silly costume (well, you have to) which is kind of fun. It's got a great vibe, too - everybody is having fun, the audience is into it and cheers everyone, and there are plenty of good singers who come out to it! I have been three times now and I plan to continue. read more

I invited a group of family and friends. When we got there it was a bit dry and my friends were disappointed but after awhile and a couple of everybody had a ball. I even left them there still singing to the top of their lungs. Check it out! Go with a group of friends. read more

The best karaoke in DC, hands down. First of all--costumes! Crazy wigs and sparkly outfits! It doesn't get better than that. Libby and Debbie are wonderful hostesses. And the crowd is great; interesting people and even quality/entertaining singers are plentiful. Drinks are reasonable and Kate's a great bartender. read more

Service is poor. If you like slow and rude service this is your place. Otherwise don't waste your time.

Let's face it, sometimes Karaoke can be a bit... hmmm shall we say lame, but this one is definitely different. Is it different because the space fosters creativity thanks in part to wacky decor that includes the leg lamp from A Christmas Story? Partly. Is it different because the crowd is really laid back and interested in having a good, scratch that, GREAT time! Sure there's that. Is it different because in order to get on stage and sing you have to wear an outrageously tacky costume? That's it! On an otherwise random Wednesday twice a month if you want something entertaining but not too taxing then you have got to go to Kostume Karaoke at Solly's. The costume requirement ensures that no one gets too pretentious and the cool-@$$ KJ's keep it lively and fun, besides who doesn't want to see a 6 foot tall black man in a blonde wig wearing a viking costume sing songs from the Little Mermaid. read more

Went to Solly's and had a BLAST! Super fun, really casual. The KJ can come off a little bitchy if you don't follow her "rules" (I didn't know there were rules in karaoke), but honestly, if you speak to her on the side she's cool. The bartender was the one that takes a star away, holy cow she was in a bad mood after I asked her to make us a new drink cause the first batch tasted like vomit. Started slamming down glasses and mumbling under her breath. Yeahh, she was a buzz kill. read more