EN 
ET Estonia is regarded as the ‘Singing Nation,” stemming from the events of the 1989 Baltic Chain. Estonians, essentially, sang themselves free from the Soviet occupation. But our love and culture for singing has been around since the dawn of time, as singing has been a unifying way to celebrate the good, the bad and all the inbetween. Which is why it makes complete sense that nowadays, there are numerous karaoke bars, venues and events around the capital of Estonia, where people can go on stage and sing their hearts out. But what is karaoke? When did karaoke become so popular? Where can you experience the best karaoke in Tallinn? Let’s find out!
What is karaoke?
Karaoke (from the Japanese words kara (‘empty) and ōkesutora (‘orchestra’) is a type of interactive entertainment where people can sing along to instrumental tracks. The singer (or group) can choose almost any popular song to sing and the lyrics will be visible on a screen to follow along. The song track will usually just be an instrumental version of the song, sometimes with backing vocals. Karaoke can be sung in a public environment, many bars host frequent karaoke nights and some are even designated karaoke venues. Karaoke can also be sung at the comfort of your own home, since online platforms like YouTube or Karafun offer countless videos to use for karaoke.
History of Karaoke
Although it is hard to pinpoint the official beginning of karaoke culture, we know that during the 60s, American TV network NBC hosted a series called ‘Sing Along with Mitch’. Musician Mitch Miller would sing a song and the lyrics would be displayed on the bottom of the screen for viewers at home to sing along. This can be regarded as a predecessor to karaoke, as the difference between singalongs and karaoke is the lack of a lead vocalist.
The invention of karaoke machines in the 1970s fundamentally changed the game. The credit for the invention is usually given to one of two people, Daisuke Inoue of Japan or Roberto del Rosario of the Philippines. It is difficult to discern which one of them is the ‘first’ inventor, however, neither of them significantly benefited from it. Although, del Rosario did patent his machine.
The development of karaoke machines was rapid, as in the 1980s the Japanese tech company Pioneer already released karaoke machines with the ability to display simultaneous lyrics.
During the 90s, karaoke became popular all over the world. Nowadays, there are countless karaoke venues around the globe that offer the opportunity to sing almost any song in any language, depending on the system they use. That means that in Estonia, for example, you can even sing songs in Estonian!
Karaoke in Tallinn
Currently, in 2025, Tallinn is home to approximately 10 different venues that cater specifically to singing karaoke. But karaoke bars are not the only places that host karaoke events. Additionally, there are semi-regular karaoke events around town in multiple venues and locations. Here, we have gathered you a list of 5 places and events where you can sing your heart out on your own or with your friends!
Shamrock
Shamrock is an Irish pub and karaoke venue located in the Old Town in a historical bastion wall. Established in 2016, it is definitely one of the most popular karaoke bars in town. The interior has a noticeable Irish theme, with the country’s flag, color scheme, shamrocks and other Irish memorabilia decorating the place from top to bottom. Shamrock is atmospheric, a tad eclectic and utterly cozy, the perfect environment to enjoy a night of singing. Apart from over 100 000 songs to choose from, they also have a vast menu of drinks and food. Drinks include beers, unique cocktails, shots and much more. Since it is an Irish pub, they offer simple pub snacks like fish and chips or chicken wings. If you are looking for a well-frequented karaoke venue in Tallinn, then this is the place! Whenever you pop by, keep an eye out for potential celebrities who might infiltrate the karaoke crowd. This year, for example, Käärijää paid a visit to Shamrock to sing his own Eurovision song from 2024!
Helsinki Karaoke Bar
Finns are also known for enjoying karaoke, so it is no surprise that Tallinn Old Town alone is home to three! Finnish-themed karaoke bars. Helsinki Karaoke Bar is the most beloved, located smack dab in the middle of our medieval Old Town, on Viru street. The bar is spacious with many rooms to spread around with a group of friends. The interior is spacious, clean-cut, sleek and modern. Although mostly catered towards a Finnish crowd, they do offer a wide list of songs to choose from in numerous languages. Additionally, they are well known for their Hot Shots! A Hot Shot is a delicious warm shot with Galliano, espresso and whipped cream, perfect to warm up your vocal chords! They have even hosted Hot Shot competitions.
Stars Bar & Karaoke
Stars is a recently established karaoke bar in Tallinn, located in the freshly redeveloped seaport area on Kai street. This new venue is spacious and inviting, the backdrop of the stage mimicking a starry night sky. Although it first opened just at the end of 2024, it has rapidly become the most popular karaoke venue for local long-time karaoke enthusiasts. Currently, Stars has the widest selection of songs on offer, a whopping 120 000 tracks in English, Finnish, Russian, French, German, Swedish and Spanish. They advertise their venue for having top notch sound and light equipment, guaranteeing you an unforgettable singing experience. Apart from karaoke, occasionally the venue is home to other events such as Comedy nights. Keep your eye on their social media if you want to see a performance!
Heldeke! Theatre-Bar
If you’re looking for an event venue that hosts monthly karaoke nights, then this is the one for you! Heldeke! is a red curtain vaudeville-style theatre-bar that hosts numerous shows almost every day. Housed in the hipster region of Kalamaja in an underground spot, the venue is utterly atmospheric and cozy. Apart from burlesque, comedy and various other events, every month you can expect a karaoke eve. Heldeke! Karaoke offers a welcoming space for anyone to join in, sing alone or with a group of friends, on stage or even from your seat. The event is hosted by Laurie B and they always offer the best and personable experience for everyone walking in. Additionally, Laurie offers a list of different group singalong songs so everyone would feel comfortable taking part in the event. Whether you’re a pro singer or an amateur, Heldeke! will offer you a warm and friendly environment to be yourself and to sing at the top of your lungs with no worries. Keep an eye on Heldeke! public calendar to see when the next event takes place!
House 10
If you’re interested in renting a space to have a night of fun, then House 10 is a game changer. House 10 is home to the first private karaoke rooms in the Baltics. You have five different rooms to choose from, all of them having a unique and fun theme. Whether it’s the Flora, Sea, Circus, Cosmos or Midcentury Modern Room, they are all colorful, exciting, spacious and well-equipped for karaoke. You can reserve a room for a reasonable price and the space will be yours to use for two hours at a time. Additionally, they offer the option to welcome your guests with bottles of bubbles, beers or shots. So if you’re looking for a room to host a private karaoke party, this is definitely the one to check out!
The best part about karaoke is that you don’t have to be amazing at singing. Karaoke offers the opportunity for anyone to go on stage and feel free to sing to the best of their abilities. It’s always lively at karaoke events, endlessly fun and liberating. So now you know some of the best spots around Tallinn to go and enjoy some karaoke. So get your vocal chords ready, pick your favourite songs, invite some friends along and go indulge in a night of awesomeness! Cheers!
