5 things you need to know about Karaoke Kong

The origin of Karaoke Kong is the age-old tale of two mates who wanted to open their own bar and restaurant – and did it!

Both Ewoudt and Herman, the guys behind this neon-lit, ‘80s-inspired karaoke bar in Melville, have successful corporate careers but wanted something more. They wanted a challenge. Seeing a gap in the market, they pooled their life savings together and opened Karaoke Kong. Here are 5 things you need to know about Karaoke Kong.

1. Karaoke Kong is inspired by the duo’s nostalgia for 1980s music and video games

Looking in from the street, the brightly-lit LED boombox in the front window lets passersby know that a good time awaits on the other side of the doors. Once inside, it’s clear that the design team has had a lot of fun creating this electrifying space. There’s neon graffiti all over the walls and tables, pink LED lights, retro TV sets, tropical plants, brightly coloured booths and, of course, the stage. You can’t help but feel like you’ve stepped into a video game.

2. Singing is the main focus of the space

With over 50,000 songs to choose from, Ewoudt says he has been impressed by the diversity of songs people choose when on stage. That being said, classic tracks like Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, Abba’s Dancing Queen, Amy Winehouse’s Valerie, and Mr Brightside by the Killers top the charts as some of the most-played tunes. Hundreds of new songs get added every month, meaning Karaoke Kong regulars love to come in, see what’s new and give it a go!

The diversity of song choices is quite impressive, which is something we were pleasantly surprised about. – Ewoudt, co-owner of Karaoke Kong

3. The signature cocktails are named after famous songs, and you need to try the Bad Moon Rising

When it comes to drinks, there’s a great selection of delicious signature cocktails named after famous songs. “It’s hard to single one out,” says Ewoudt, “but I would say a personal favourite of mine is the Bad Moon Rising.” Named after the Creedence Clearwater Revival hit, this gin or vodka-based delight is made using watermelon, rooibos, lemon, activated charcoal and even some candy floss for that extra sense of wonder!

While you’re there, don’t forget to fuel up. The “top hits” on the menu include the crowd-favourite crumbed chicken strips, pizzas and nachos.

4. Do not miss the monthly Karaoke Superstar competition

The Karaoke Kong team hosts a lot of events, including their popular K-Pop-themed song nights and regular quiz nights – and even a Chat GPT song battle.

We have a lot of fun trying out and experimenting with different events to ensure our customers always have an exciting experience to look forward to the next time they visit us. – Ewoudt

If you can only make one, the Karaoke Superstar competition, which takes place on the last Sunday of each month, is it! You’ll get to battle it out on stage and see who will be crowned “Jozi’s Best Singer/Performer”. The competition culminates in a massive grand finale at the end of the year, where past winners duke it out for a really exciting prize.

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5. Melville now, the rest of Jozi soon – and then they are taking over the world!

When asked what’s next for Karaoke Kong, Ewoudt and Herman reveal that they are planning on expanding to more locations. “Thanks to the amazing response to the Karaoke Kong concept in Melville,” Ewoudt explains, “we would like to bring Karaoke Kong to even more areas of Johannesburg, South Africa, and who knows – maybe even the world!”

At the end of our chat, Ewoudt finished by saying: “It’s extremely heart-warming to see how supportive the Karaoke Kong crowd is to all who brave the stage. People always encourage their fellow singers to give their best and to let their authentic, true selves shine. Seeing someone come out of their shell, with the mic in hand, is something truly incredible. Karaoke Kong has also become known as an inclusive spot that embraces all forms of diversity. If we can manage to brighten up a person’s day, then I consider my job done!”