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New York City Karaoke Bars

Nibankan

A cozy karaoke hideaway, just waiting to be discovered.

Price: $20

Service

(6)

Atmosphere

(8)

Food and Drinks

(6)

Value

(7)

The Setting

You may feel as if you're doing something illicit when you ring the buzzer to enter. Although you're not breaking the law, you're sure to be venturing into a territory few have been before. Named after its street, Nibankan, a mysterious, living-room-size karaoke pub, is Japanese for second. The tidy bar is sequestered behind an inconspicuous wood door, three flights up (there's actually another karaoke bar on the second floor).

The Scene

Once inside, you'll find an amiable duo of bartenders, comfy velvet banquettes, sleek lacquer tables and three well-placed TV screens. The best part may be the portable microphones; you can sing right where you're seated. The song list is vast, offering some 700 hard-to-resist tunes, from Dolly Parton's "Nine to Five" to Neil Sedaka's "Breaking Up is Hard To Do." For those fluent in Japanese, there's also a collection of Japanese pop, hip-hop and ballads. As for who comes to this peculiar pub, it's a surprise every night, from the regulars--Turtle Bay residents, CEOs and PYTs alike--to the intrepid

Karaoke Rates

There is a $20 cover at the door; inside it's $1 per song and one drink minimum.

Bar Eats

All that singing is sure to make you hungry. Fortunately Nibankan offers a quirky selection of American and Japanese snacks?from Pringles, beef jerky and tortilla chips to shumai (steamed dumplings) and okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake).

919 2nd Ave , 3rd Fl
New York ,  NY   10017
Phone: (212) 935-2329