Weekly karaoke nights for bars and pubs
Run regular karaoke nights at local bars and pubs that want more customers on quiet evenings.
- C$1.5k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
You set up a regular karaoke night at one or more bars, restaurants or legion halls, supplying the equipment and hosting the evening.
Your first three steps
- Visit quiet-night bars in your area and pitch a trial night, offering the first one at a reduced rate
- Set up a reliable system with a large song library and test it for volume, lag and lyrics display
- Make a simple poster and social media page for each night so the venue and you can promote it together
Who pays
Bar, pub and restaurant owners who pay you a nightly fee or a share of the night's takings.
How it makes money
A fixed fee per night from each venue, sometimes with tips or a bonus when the room is busy. A few steady weekly venues give predictable income.
Skills that help
- Strong, friendly hosting voice
- Handling a lively or tipsy crowd calmly
- Pitching to venue owners
- Basic sound equipment knowledge
Watch out for
- Music licensing: check with SOCAN and Re:Sound, and with the venue, about who holds the licences for public performance
- Commercial general liability insurance, as venues often ask for it
- Late nights and unpredictable income if a venue drops the night, so aim for more than one regular booking
- Noise bylaws and venue rules, which vary by municipality and province
🔒 Full research report for Canada
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start running karaoke nights in bars?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the sound equipment, screen and song library you choose, plus insurance. Treat it as a rough estimate.
How much can I earn running karaoke nights at pubs?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many venues you work with and the nightly fee or share you agree. Aim for more than one regular booking, as a venue may drop the night.
What licences and rules should I check for bar karaoke nights in Canada?
Check with SOCAN, Re:Sound and the venue about who holds the public performance licences. Also check commercial general liability insurance, which venues often ask for, and noise bylaws and venue rules, which vary by municipality and province.
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