SING IT BACK

Natasha Venner-Pack and her gals bring their moves (and tons of cough drops), and hit these four KTVs to belt out anthems and weep into ballads.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Natasha Venner-Pack and her gals bring their moves (and tons of cough drops), and hit these four KTVs to belt out anthems and weep into ballads.

ZIGGY’S

You’re a Mariah Carey-type diva who wants to celebrate and do your best Glitter impression.

You’ll pay for the ritz and the luxe set-up. You’ll notice the sleek bar as you enter, with its premium selection of sakes, cocktails and snacks to occupy you if you don’t wish to sing. When you are ready, though, the joint’s plush surrounds and private rooms ensure you’ll be comfortable: The deluxe rooms hold up to 12 people; VIP rooms up to 25, and premium VIP rooms up to 40. All rooms have a minibar fridge, props and costumes to get your party started – money gun, anyone?

Channel your inner Gaga as you rock out, and transform into a nurse, pilot or even a panda, while your friends don police uniforms and arrest you for your rendition of Shallow.

Feeling chilly? Ziggy’s also has blankets so you can wrap up before you bleat out your weepy ballads, or writhe on the velvet couches. The menu includes gourmet offerings like a juicy Wagyu Katsu Sandwich, and drinks include a Smoked Negroni and premium wines.

Latest song: Happier by Marshmello feat. Bastille 

11 Unity Street, Robertson Quay, tel: 6235-5400 Price: From $60 an hour. www.ziggys.com.sg
 
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"The bar here serves a full menu of classic cocktails."
 
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PARTY WORLD KTV CLARKE QUAY

There’s a Jolin Tsai in you screaming to get out.

This stalwart Chinese-retro karaoke, with its glittering, glass-covered walls and ceilings, reminds one of Hong Kong discos in the ’70s. In fact, its wall of mirrors at the entrance may confuse many a tipsy partygoer – it tricked us, and we were dry. Party World has multiple locations; we picked the one in the bowels of Liang Court, with a small entrance that belies its true size (it has 34 rooms, and can take up to 250 people).

This place is perfect for those who’ve been out and still want to keep partying – on a couch. As expected, it has a huge song selection that is mostly up to date, especially in the English and Chinese categories, though we were happy to see that the Korean section was also fairly extensive (Black Pink in your areaaaa!).

Latest song: Youngblood by 5 Seconds of Summer

#03-03 Liang Court, 177 River Valley Road, tel: 6333-5533 Price: From $18.80 an hour ($12 during happy hour). www.partyworldktv.com.sg
 
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TEN DOLLAR CLUB CHINATOWN

You’re A-Mei... when she was just starting out.

If you don’t need the glitz and glam, hunker down at this budget-friendly karaoke. As the name states, it’s $10, even on weekends, as long as you fulfil its minimum spending requirements – which actually makes it $30.

With printed wallpaper and furniture that hark back to the late ’90s/ early noughties – think Ed Hardy – you’re not in it for the looks, just the songs. This no-frills karaoke has a good selection of English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean songs. It has two other outlets, in Balestier and Downtown East (Pasir Ris).

Latest song: Better by DJ Khalid

Level 3, 35A Smith Street, tel: 6225-1231 Price: $10 (actually, $30). www.tendollarclub.sg 
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7TH HEAVEN KTV & CAFE

You’re Janelle Monae, and your squad needs to work it.

The new(er) kid on the block, 7th Heaven is both a cafe and karaoke joint that dishes out international fare and fusion food like lychee smoked duck pizza, laksa pasta and pulled pork burgers. Nuts and crackers? Fuhgeddaboudit.

The bright and cheery decor resembles that of a tech startup, and it  has 15 rooms of various sizes as well as a large common space if you and your girls want to rock out in public and enjoy a fulfilling meal. The common space also has TV screens and a pool table – we don’t advise dancing on that.

You can choose whether to be charged per pax or have a minimum spend (on food and drinks, for three hours only, prices from $80 to $450, depending on the number of people in your group). If singing is your priority, opt for per pax. But if you want some nibbles, get the Threehour Package which includes a free flow of soft drinks and tidbits ($15-$30, depending on day and time).

Latest song: God Is a Woman by Ariana Grande

#03-02 Safra Tampines, 1/A Tampines Street 92, tel: 6538-0312 Price: From $9 an hour ($6 during happy hour). www.7thheavenktvcafe.com
 
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"No longer just fruits and peanuts – there’s a full menu of familiars."

JILLIAN KIMBERLY LIM, 28, radio presenter on Kiss 92 FM
 
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RECOMMENDS: EMPLOYEES ONLY, the Singapore outpost of the famed New York bar. “There are no words for how good the steak tartare is. Also, the pork chops are huge and a dream to share.”

112 Amoy Street
 
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LUKE’S OYSTER BAR & CHOP HOUSE, a restaurant with old-school favourites that blend European and American cooking styles. “At Luke’s I’ve only ever had the creamed spinach and steak. They were so good I never bothered trying anything else.”

22 Gemmill Lane