Karaoke

Rockin' karaoke dive bar in the middle of seediest Hollywood. I love it.

LA's Premier 7-Nights-A-Week Karaoke Bar!!!

I first discovered this place in 2000. A fellow Englishman who was working at the Saddle Ranch recommended this little dive bar in the strip mall named Gower Gulch (at Sunset and Gower) and I've been going there regularly ever since. It's east of Vine and west of the 101 freeway.
Amagi's is slap-bang in the middle of the strip mall, under the Gower Gulch sign behind a Denny's restaurant. When people discover this place they find it hard to let go. People come back week after week, month after months - for years. I even know people who have moved out of the country who always make it a point to visit Amagi's when they're back in town, just to reminisce about the good times!
Amagi's is a hangout for people who like their entertainment casual and not at all celeb-studded or pretentious like many places on the Sunset Strip further West. If you're looking for a home-away-from-home bar, you'll find that this place fits the bill. Inexpensive drinks (don't expect anything too exotic from the basic bar - liquor, beer, two types of wine), karaoke, a dart board and plenty of friendly regulars every night of the week.
Over the years I've seen many regulars come and go but the people who stick to this place are always friendly and there's a camaraderie that's rare to find in this sprawling city. There's good singing and really, really bad singing (as you'd expect) but nobody needs to feel intimidated here. Singers and spectators alike find themselves vowing to return at the next possible opportunity. The bar has windows that look into the karaoke room so it's possible to be involved or not. There's a tiny stage backed with a red velvet curtain and a disco ball. Fairy lights on the ceiling, a rather down-at-heel ambiance. Song selection is limited and regular customers often bring their own Karaoke CD selections. Unlike some karaoke bars, the KJs at Amagi's keep things fair and don't let some rich asshole keep on jumping ahead of you because he's waving hundred dollar bills. A big plus for LA nightspots is the parking. On a normal night it's easy to find a spot in the free parking lot. No valet parking here! Amagi's shares the Gower Gulch with a Starbucks, a Rite-Aid, as well as some other small sotes and restaurants. Busy nights at Amagi's are Thursday, Friday and Saturday (sometimes it's shoulder-to-shoulder) but any night of the week might host a couple of rowdy birthday parties. Just get there early on those nights if you are determined to sing more than one song - and put your name in early! Sunday and Mondays are the days you want to go to practice less familiar songs. You might even get to sing to an empty room!

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