By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Jun 02, 2014 at 4:33 PM Photography: shutterstock.com

Fans of "American Idol" and "The Voice" use it to practice singing in front of an audience before getting skewered by the judges. Drinking buddies see it as a great dare for the drunkest in the group. And some aim to "wow" the record company executives who surely hang at local bars and restaurants looking for their next big star.

The old saying goes that "karaoke" is Japanese for "tone-deaf." Actually, it comes from the Japanese "kara," as in "void," and "oke," which means "sutora," a Japanese derivative of "orchestra." Its ascendancy since the '90s hasn't let up; bars all over Milwaukee still regularly hold karaoke nights. So, if you're prepping your pipes and looking for legitimacy, here's a list of places where you can sing your little heart out.

Be sure to call the establishment before you prepare any Sunny and Cher or Aretha Franklin. Not all places consistently hold karaoke nights.

Amelia's
724 E. Layton Ave., (414) 483-0345
ameliasmilwaukee.com
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9 p.m. to close.

Big Dog's Sports Grill
9427 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, (414) 476-9055
bigdogsportsgrill.com
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. 

Burnham Bowl
6016 W. Burnham St., (414) 543-7880
burnhambowl.com
Fridays at 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. 

The Chancery
4624 S. 27th St., (414) 282-3350
chanceryfyb.com

Thursdays from 8:30 p.m. to midnight.

Duke's On Water
152 E. Juneau Ave., (414) 221-0621
Thursdays at 9 p.m. Visit the Facebook page for more information.

Erv's Mug
130 W. Ryan Rd., Oak Creek (414) 762-5010
ervsmug.com

Saturdays at 9 p.m.

Frank's Power Plant
2800 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 481-9200
frankspowerplant.com
One Saturday a month starting at 8 p.m. Call for dates.

Hamburger Mary's
2130 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 988-9324
hamburgermarys.com

Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. 

The Highbury Pub
2322 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 294-4400 
thehighbury.com
Sundays at 8:30 p.m. 

Hi Hat Lounge 
1701 N. Arlington Pl., (414) 220-8090
hihatlounge.com

Sundays at 10 p.m. 

The Hotel Foster
2028 E. North Ave., (414) 988-4758
thehotelfoster.com
Tuesdays from 9:30 p.m. to close

Hybrid Lounge
707 E. Brady St., (414) 810-1809
hybridlounge.net

Thursdays at 9 p.m. 

Landmark Lanes
2220 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 278-8770
landmarklanes.com

Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 9 p.m. 

The Mason Jar
645 N. James Lovell St., (414) 226-5852
Wednesdays and most Fridays. Call for times. Visit the Facebook page for more information. 

Milwaukee Ale House
233 N. Water St., (414) 226-2337
ale-house.com
Thursdays at 9 p.m.

Monkey Bar
1619 S. 1st St., (414) 384-4663
gomonkeybar.com

Sundays at 9 p.m.

The Newsroom Pub & Grill
137 E. Wells St., (414) 273-4900
milwaukeepressclub.org
Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m.

Replay Sports Bar
2238 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 431-1080
replaysportsbar.com

Saturdays at 10 p.m. 

Safe House
779 N. Front St., (414) 271-2007
safe-house.com
Wednesdays from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

Steny's Tavern & Grille
800 S. 2nd St., (414) 672-7139
stenystavern.com

Wednesdays from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

Studio Lounge
2246 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 489-7474
studioloungemke.com
Thursdays. Call for times.

Three Lions Pub
4515 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood, (414) 763-6992
Thursdays at 9 p.m.
threelionspub.com

Up And Under Pub
1216 E. Brady St., (414) 276-2677
theupandunderpub.com
Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m.

Vintage
2203 N. Prospect Ave., (414) 226-2303
vintagemilwaukee.com
Tuesdays at 10 p.m. 

Vitucci's Cocktail Lounge
1832 E. North Ave. (414) 273-6477
vintagemilwaukee.com
Thursdays at 10 p.m. 

Walker's Pint
818 S. 2nd St., (414) 643-7468
walkerspint.com

Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. 

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