Private karaoke rooms should always be dark and dirty—stained cushions and rickety tables make screaming off-key into a microphone seem perfectly natural. Which is why Venus Karaoke in the International District is the perfect setting for your next songfest. Sure, their equipment crashes every once in awhile, and occasionally your song selection won’t come with any lyrics. But the place stays open till 4 a.m. on weekends and has an impressive list of songs for English speakers, including some surprises like a couple of raunchy Too Live Crew numbers. Technically Venus only allows alcohol if you get a permit first, they aren’t exactly checking bags—just be discreet and you should be fine. There’s also a sign posted that says food fights are allowed for a fee ($50). Whether that is seen as an invitation or a warning is entirely up to you. SUZIE RUGH
