Weekly karaoke nights at pubs and venues
Run a regular karaoke night for a local pub, club or bar and build a loyal crowd.
- A$1.5k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
You host a recurring karaoke night at one or more venues, bringing the equipment, managing the singer queue and keeping the room lively.
Your first three steps
- List venues near you with quiet weeknights and no current karaoke
- Prepare a one-page pitch with your fee, what you provide and a short demo video
- Offer a trial night at a reduced rate and promote it on local social media and with posters
Who pays
Pubs, clubs, RSL-style venues and bars that want to bring in customers on quiet nights.
How it makes money
A set fee per night from the venue, sometimes a lower fee plus a share of extra takings, with steady weekly income once you have a few regular slots.
Skills that help
- Hosting a mixed crowd and keeping the energy up
- Pitching and negotiating with venue managers
- Handling sound and tricky moments calmly
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance
- Music licensing: check whether the venue's licences cover karaoke and what you need yourself
- Venue income is not guaranteed, so avoid relying on a single contract
- Late finishes on weeknights can be tiring if you also have another job
- Responsible service of alcohol rules apply to the venue, so check how you fit in with its staff
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: weekly karaoke nights at pubs and venues
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a karaoke hosting business in Australia?
Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the equipment you buy and how much you spend on setup and marketing. Treat this as an estimate and compare quotes before you commit.
How much can you earn running karaoke nights?
Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $2,500, depending on how many venues you run and how often. Venue income is not guaranteed, so it is worth avoiding reliance on a single contract.
What should you check before running karaoke nights at a venue?
Check public liability insurance, and whether the venue's music licences cover karaoke and what you need yourself. Also check how responsible service of alcohol rules apply to the venue and how you fit in with its staff.
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