Little Red Hen

Karaoke and Line Dancing

Monday night karaoke at the Hen has always been a lot mellower than Wednesdays (which can get shoulder-to-shoulder crowded): It’s all about the crowd, and I love performing southern rock in front of these old cowboys. There’s nothing better than having people get up and dance as you perform—that’s how you know you’re really delivering. Unfortunately, my standby, Alabama’s “Take Me Down,” is too upbeat to waltz to, with the wrong beat for line dancing (also a part of the Monday-night program). In truth, the karaoke menu isn’t all country. The Hen’s KJ team—generally listed as Lo Key & Sun-E-Friday—can rock Blackstreet’s “No Diggity” with R&B polish, which definitely gets the cougars up and line dancing. Another surprising but successful staff choice? “Inside Out” by Eve 6. Among the Hen’s regular patrons, favorites include “La Bamba” and “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’” (the latter being a welcome departure from “Don’t Stop Believing”). So if you’re going to sing off the Nashville menu, go all the way. On The Strokes’ “Last Nite,” for instance, I go crazy with the screaming and air guitar. People may not dance to it, but they get the message. (21 and over.) JEFF ROMAN

Price: Free

Sometimes you can actually infer a lot about a place by the sign that hangs outside, and that?s definitely the case with the Little Red Hen. Like its signage, this Green Lake bar and dance hall is comfortably worn-in and happily behind the times. The deep, old burgundy booths are of the variety that beckon you in and then beg you to stay, and when the band, which is most often of the country and western persuasion, starts up you?ll find you have an equally hard time getting off the dance floor. On Tuesdays and Sundays, country dance lessons make it even harder. Wednesdays are reserved for karaoke, and on almost every other night of the week you?ll find live action in the form of Nashville-style country/rock.

• Cuisine(s): American, Barbecue, Breakfast, Burgers, New American

  Hours: Daily 9am-2am

  Features: Dance Floor

• Serving: Breakfast

  Entertainment: Live Entertainment

  Alcohol: Pitchers

• Reservations: Accepted