The Lamplighter is exactly what you want in a karaoke dive bar - unpretentious, welcoming, and absolutely electric on Halloween night. Karaoke/DJ Raya absolutely killed it as host, keeping the energy high between singers with perfectly curated tunes that had everyone dancing or at least head-bobbing at their seats. The highlight of the night was undoubtedly her show-stopping rendition of a song from Phantom of the Opera, complete with costume, which brought the whole place to their feet. The cash-only policy is part of its charm, leading to those perfectly heavy-handed pours that remind you why dive bars will always be superior to their flashier counterparts. Don't let the older/worn exterior fool you - this place has character in spades and the kind of authentic atmosphere you just can't manufacture. The regulars are friendly, the Halloween crowd was in full spirited costume, and everyone becomes your best friend by the end of the night. Between the stellar song selection, the genuinely enthusiastic crowd reactions to every performer (from tone-deaf to surprisingly talented), and Raya's infectious energy, the Lamplighter has mastered that perfect dive bar sweet spot where the drinks are strong, the rules are loose, and the memories are unforgettable - even if they're a bit hazy the next morning. read more

The Lamplighter - Phantom Duet on Stage! - Karaoke Near Me - San Diego, California

I had a great time here, but singing and karaoke was crazy. Spider was so accommodating. I would definitely bring my family back here. I love it. read more

If you know, you know. And if you don't, allow me to introduce you to Lamplighter, the neighborhood gem that serves up strong drinks, louder vocals and a wild sense of community you didn't know you were missing. This isn't just a bar. It's a rite of passage. A mood. A moment. The red lighting is cinematic, the bartenders are equal parts salty and sweet, and the drinks are poured with no regard for weak pours or weak personalities. The karaoke? Unhinged in the best way. Whether it's Mariah, Metallica or Madonna, someone is always singing their soul out like they're auditioning for their big break. You will cheer. You might cry. You will definitely join in. The crowd is a perfect mix of Mission Hills locals, queer cuties, bold creatives and ride-or-die dive bar devotees. It's the kind of place where strangers become friends over a shared mic and a tequila shot. read more

The great drinks and best hype crowd!!! Fun vibes. Great karaoke. Love it here hahahahh

First impression when we walked in the place smells like piss! Waited over 2 hours didn't let us sing... I think the workers got scared we just might sing better than them. Which we low key do lol I've been to many Karaoke bars in Nor and So Cal. This place is not it. DJ has no talent and is lame AF. The security door guy was cool though. read more

Let's hear it for dive bars with GREAT bartenders for all!!! Old school interior and good snacks too! Plenty of street parking too!! No frills just rich history!! Keep coming and supporting them please! read more

Best place to have a drink! Super fun vibes ! The new disco ball is sick af! The beers are cheap and good.

Super friendly and amazing service. Landon is my favorite but all the workers in general are amazing!! Just don't like the cash only part!!!

Very disappointed with this place! We were a large group of 13 people who had traveled across the country from Miami to compete in the USTA national championships. We all had dinner at the KC BBQ place and they recommended the Lamplighter for us to go Karaoke. Parking was easy enough. When we got inside I was shocked at how loud the music was. You couldn't hear anyone singing over the music. We got some drinks from the bar. We went up to the DJ stand where there's a QR code to signup to sing a song. So I choose one and go back to my drink and cheer for everyone who's doing karaoke before me. Three or four of my friends also sign up to sing something. After at least an hour, and the same people singing multiple times, including the security guard and DJ himself!!! I go up to the DJ and ask him if he knows where I'm at in the line up to sing. He gets on his computer and scrolls down a fake list of names and tells me that my name isn't on the list. ‍ Playing dumb with me. So I get on the app again and sign up AGAIN. And then I wait, and wait... The DJ sings AGAIN?!? I'm like WTAF??? So I ask this guy who's gone up multiple times, "Do I have to tip the DJ in order to be able to sing?" He says to give the DJ a tip, but make sure that he sees me tipping him. Sure enough, he IMMEDIATELY calls my name!!! Seriously? So I sing and I tell all of my friends what went down. We left around 12:30am. My friends stayed and waited for their names to be called, which obviously never happened. My friend went up to the DJ and asked him about it and he motioned towards his giant tip jar and shrugged his shoulders. So my friends told him "You shouldn't call this a karaoke bar. This is a pay to sing bar." So, why even have your QR code up for people to sign up if you're never going to let them sing unless they tip you? Like we didn't spend hundreds of dollars at the bar?!? Or have a $5 cover charge and split it with the DJ and security guard since they both like to sing so much that they'll put themselves before your customers! We were in town for 4 days. We each spent thousands of dollars on food and drinks and bars and entertainment in those four days. We'll be back again soon. We will NEVER go to the Lamplighter again. When I googled karaoke, 8 places came up within a half mile radius of my hotel! There's plenty of places to go. They'll probably treat you with a lot more dignity and respect than this place. read more

Beautiful security guard, good music, sexy karaoke singers, and strong booze. Truly an impeccable dive bar read more

The Lamplighter - Karaoke Near Me - San Diego, California

We walked inside to have a cocktail and immediately turned around! The place stunk of cleaning products!! Fabulosa !! Disgusting! read more

This is our go-to spot to hang out. They have great holiday t-shirts. But remember to bring cash!

Cheap drinks, great vibe, awesome bartender. Came here with my friends, lots of space and a pool table.

The bar had such a warm, inviting vibe with great music, friendly staff, and well-made drinks. It felt like the perfect spot to unwind, enjoy good conversation, and just relax without feeling rushed. I'd definitely come back again. read more

Love the ambience and crowd! Great place to hang with friends for the weekend! My friends and I always end up here by the end of the night!

Such a fun vibe! Great drinks and really welcoming people all around. Have heard from so many people I needed to come out and I am so happy I did! read more

I really like this spot. I hadn't been in years, but stopped by last night and was glad I did. The bouncer was super friendly and welcoming. Inside, there's a big space with a pool table, a DJ, and even karaoke. The bartenders were great, friendly with quick service. read more

Best Karaoke ever had the most fun here for my birthday celebration! Highly recommend

Great ambiance , service and music, love the vibes here! J.J. Was very helpful and super cool, thank you again J.J.!

Thought I was coming for a drink ended up leaving some people that I think will be my best friend shout out Joe for smoking my old fashioned it was perfect read more

The Lamplighter - Karaoke Near Me - San Diego, California

James & Dominque are awesome! Great vibe. The karaoke is so fun & everyone is so friendly ! read more

The Lamplighter - Karaoke Near Me - San Diego, California

James and Dominique were amazing!!!!! Thanks so much for amazing night! We were treated with so much niceness. read more

The Lamplighter - Karaoke Near Me - San Diego, California

JJ and heaven killed it at kareoke lots of fun We had a great night long pours good music chill people read more

Went to the lamplighter with my girlfriend. Had a blast! Great environment & even better memories. Get a drink from Spider & belt out your favorite song read more

Love this bar the karaoke is so fun! Drinks are cheap. It's a fun yet lowkey spot to come on the weekends if you don't want to go somewhere packed read more

Absolutely the best karaoke bar in San Diego!! The vibes are immaculate! Great drinks, friendly bartenders, and a lil table!

They got good deals and the vibes are great! The drinks were great. I will definitely be back again. The bartenders are awesome!

The bartender Joe is and always will been the reason I even go here. Dj was amazing, his name is Heaven and he is literallly like heaven. read more

The Lamplighter - Karaoke Near Me - San Diego, California

Best bar! Highly recommend. Very friendly staff and security. Best karaoke in town, they have every song.

Best dive bar in Mission Hills! Great vibes. James is awesome. And baby joe the bartender is the goat!Karaoke bar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

best karaoke spot in town! joes service was amazing, very accommodating bartender. the vibe is always good! read more

The Lamplighter - bar area - Karaoke Near Me - San Diego, California

Literally the worst karaoke bar I have ever visited and I have been to hundreds. Asshole kj's say you will sing... you won't. Yeah you "Heaven". If you are not their friend, you don't get to sing at all. Every time I have been, it's the same dude singing over and over again. Constant circle jerk of egotistical losers stoking their bros off. Total drug addict hang out. Bunch of coked out college kids willing to do anything for a line. If you are looking to totally slum it and get ripped off. This is it! read more

Been to Lamplighter a few times, pretty much any time I have dinner nearby I grab an after dinner drink. This place is awesome, bartenders make excellent drinks. They have karaoke which is always a plus. Highly recommend it if you are in the area! read more

Service was 2 out of 10. Never acknowledged for a solid 10 minutes as other customers must have been more important to talk to. 1st and last time. read more

Positive vibes and ambiance, great drinks for an even better price! Definitely coming back again for karaoke night!

Good vibes, good karaoke, great drinks. My first time at lamp lighter and my friends and I had the best time.

Great vibe! Music was on point, crowd was lit, unexpected but fun! Definitely will be coming back!

Went there tonight, dress code is no hats.. that's not a problem! I left hat at door . As I went in I saw multiple ball cap's- hats . I asked security what's up with the hats . He said those few guys with hats are doing bottle service... so as I went in there I noticed more than just a few hats , not one person with a hat was getting bottle service ... I will never go back (discrimination) read more

Get lit at the Lamplighter. Last Saturday was my second time at this karaoke dive bar. Came after an early dinner at Cardellino. The drinks are cheap, but bring cash or a debit card to pull some from the ATM inside. Karaoke started around 8:30. The first few singers sounded like they were auditioning for America's Got Talent and were even doing crowd work. Didn't stay much later after the karaoke got started, but my companions and I agree that Lamplighter was a vibe. Would definitely come again next time I am in the neighborhood. read more

This place is a vibe. Highly recommend this place for a night out with friends or a girls night!