FAQ
KOSTUME KARAOKE IS OPEN NOW
We encourage you bring your own costumes, follow masking guidelines, and use one of our provided microphone covers when singing.
WHERE AND WHEN CAN I FIND KARAOKE?
We are every Thursday at Solly’s Tavern (we skip some holidays) from 8pm - 1am.
Sollys Tavern is at 1942 11th St NW, Washington, DC.
What’s the cost for Kostume karaoke?
Karaoke at Solly’s is free to sing, with tipping recommended for the KJ and bartender (but not required).
Private parties are available starting at $125/hour with a minimum of 2 hours. Discounts available for longer parties, and on a case by case basis.
How do i tip?
All our KJs have a cash tip bucket/hat and venmo. Our KJs are not tipped from the bartenders tips, nor do they split tips with the bartender. $1/song is a generous rate!
Tipping is appreciated but not required
What if I don’t want to wait when the line is long?
Kostume Karaoke keeps a fair list, where you can only sign up to sing after you’ve sang. This means the line can get long.
If it is your birthday week, your engagement/bachelor/bachelorette party, your wedding night, you gender repeal party, your new name day, or other momentous event in your life you’ll get one free cut in line - where you’ll be guaranteed to sing within 3 songs.
KJs also often run special promotions or themes where free skips can be earned via participation. Follow us on FB to see when these arise.
KJs reserve the right deny or escalate a cut in line.
Bullying, harassing, cheating with a fake name, and otherwise disrespecting Kostume Karaoke and our guests will result in either being bumped down or removed from the list
How long is the wait to sing?
Depends on the time of night. At 8p the list is usually wide open with less than a 10 minute wait. At peak karaoke from 10p-12a the list can be as long as 2 hours.
Each song is an average of 3 minutes long, with 1 minute transition between singers. This means if the list has 20 people on it, it is reasonable to expect an 80 minute wait to sing.
You can always see the wait time via connectkaraoke when you sign up online.
We recommend signing up first when you arrive, then saying your hellos, getting a drink, and selecting your costumes. You’ll have time to get ready to sing after you’ve signed up, but the longer you wait to sign up, the longer you wait to sing.
What is a KJ?
A Karaoke Jockey - your host for the night!
Do I have to Bring my own costume?
Only if you want to!
Kostume Karaoke maintains a large collection of costumes in a variety of sizes, along with hats, wigs, scarves, and other costumes supplies
Do i have to wear a costume?
Currently this is optional. When the pandemic is declared over we will resume requiring costumes
Gross.
Not a question, but we’ll allow it. We clean our costumes every 2 weeks (that’s a part of what your tips go towards!), and disinfect all costumes both before and after karaoke.
If you still don’t trust our costumes you may bring your own!
is karaoke a safe space?
YES.
We do not allow discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, song preference, or any other reason. You will encounter many people at Kostume Karaoke, all of whom are there to enjoy singing their hearts out. Celebrate what unites us - Karaoke!