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Singing up a storm around town

By Perrie Samotin | Special to amNewYork

April 20, 2007

Whether an aspirant rocker, rapper, recording artist or just a huge fan of Journey, there's something for every wannabe at these karaoke-with-a-twist spots.

Hip Hop Karaoke @ The Knitting Factory
If you're looking for a cheap laugh with a drunken rendition of 'Baby Got Back,' you may want to head to the Upper East Side because this is not for the flippant and the crowd there won't laugh with you.

Designed with the true hip-hop lover in mind, this monthly celebration of the genre often appears more like a battle of the unknown or aspiring MC's than an actual 'karaoke' event. For starters, there aren't any monitors feeding you lyrics and you're provided with a DJ, the original instrumental of your chosen track and an actual hypeman to help you out and lend it an authentic feel.

Knowing all the words to 'Ice Ice Baby' isn't considered ironic or humorous here. If you can spit every word to Big L's 'Put It On' without missing a beat, you'll fit right in. The next event is scheduled for May 10, with sign-up at 9 p.m. and performances at 10 p.m.. Check out www.hiphopkaraokenyc.com for more info.
74 Leonard St.
(212) 219-3006

Spotlight Live
Occupying 23,000 square feet in the core of touristy Times Square, this new restaurant/performance space features four floors of indulgent technology to help fame-freaks achieve their few minutes of fame.

Not only can you rock out karaoke-style in front of your fellow diners with professional singers behind you, you can also cut a track in a private recording booth and have your performance broadcast in real time on a JumboTron for all of Times Square to see.

You're even provided with a green room to prep, where you'll gain backstage advice from choreographers plus hair and makeup artists. You might even get your singing self on TV, thanks to the space's deal with Comcast, which will air performances on their video on demand service and online.

High-tech interactive tabletops will enable cowardly viewers to rate, insult and comment on the wannabe stars -- all the while chomping on chef Kerry Simon's 'comfort' fare like pigs in a blanket and spaghetti and meatballs with cheese garlic bread.
1604 Broadway
(212) 246-2693

Arlene's Grocery
Forget all those spots that have cropped up this year who call themselves 'rock bars' yet won't let guys in without girls unless they buy a bottle and have no live music. There's a difference between a rock-themed bar and an actual rock bar, people.

Not only has pleasantly divey Arlene's been a LES mainstay for up-and- coming acts, but on Monday nights at 10 p.m. the club allows the rest of us with rocker ambition take to the boards. Forget polyphonic, pre-recorded background tracks to go along with your spirited rendition of Iggy Pop's 'Lust for Life' -- you'll get an actual live rock band to back you up
95 Stanton St.
(212) 995-1652

Chorus Karaoke
Ah, yes. Just where everyone wants to be when looking to unwind after a long day at work -- on the second floor of a midtown office building. Once inside though, you'll be privy to an interesting mix of people belting it out in one of the many private karaoke rooms (which can hold up to 35 people) or just unwinding in the industrially modern lounge area.

Unlike lots of other private-room karaoke bars, which are BYOB, Chorus has a very full bar and an oddly mixed Japanese/American bar food menu (shumai and mozzarella sticks, anyone?). For groups planning to sing for the night, packages are available that include food, beer and bottles of liquor.
25 W. 32nd St.
(212) 967-2244

Second on Second
It's $1 a song at this upbeat karaoke joint, which has more than 30,000 to choose from and caters primarily to the shame-free 20-something crowd looking to get their Cheap Trick or 50 Cent on. The screens are large, which is good news for those whose vision may be a tad hazy by the time their number comes up.

For the less extroverted, grab a private room ranging from $35 to $100 an hour. Check it out for happy hour and score $2 off on drinks and $3 beers till 8 p.m. The menu is mainly bar food with an Asain twist -- spring rolls, stir fry and salads. Keep in mind the earlier you arrive, the better your chances will be of singing.
27 2nd Ave.
(212) 473-2922