The High Note Karaoke Lounge — Restaurant in Milwaukee

The High Note was the first bar I started to frequent when I moved to MKE about two years ago. It's still my go-to spot even today.

Their karaoke song catalogue is all on the Karafun app, which makes finding a song to sing really easy. I'm always down to hear people that can't sing well when they're having a blast, but there are also some regulars who stop by with KILLER vocals. Even the bartenders will hop on the mic and belt it out while working a packed bar, and their performances are STELLAR. You'll be blessed if you get a chance to see the owner perform "We Didn't Start The Fire."

I haven't tried their food personally, but I know that it's good because they've partnered with a fast food place just down the street that's great for filling a belly of alcohol. You definitely won't be starved here.

The only downside is that, on super busy nights, the song queue is incredibly long. It's best to get there early and know exactly what you'll sing if you don't want to wait too long. Also, the bar itself isn't super big, so it gets tight on a Saturday night. The seating is pretty limited on those busy nights, which is my one and only gripe. It'd be amazing to see if they could do an expansion one day, but you definitely won't mind the intimacy if you like meeting new people. The bartenders, the owner, and the regulars are all super nice, so being close in this place...

I am changing my review of the High Note Karaoke Lounge to three stars due to them not taking proper precautions to protect against the spread of COVID-19. When I wrote my original review, there were only a few people at the bar, so having to remind the owner to change out the microphone for me was not an arduous task. Over the weeks that followed, business picked up at the High Note while sanitation precautions did not. When I sent a Facebook message inquiring about what safety measures were being taken, I was told that mics would be swapped out and equipment sanitized "upon request." I said, "Thanks, but no thanks," and haven't been back since, as every other karaoke show in town has hosts who are sanitizing the mics automatically without having to be reminded. It's an impressive performance to see the owner do his alcohol fueled microphone fireballs, but when the microphones aren't actually swapped out between singers, it is nothing but a show and fails to provide any actual preventative purpose. To do karaoke during this pandemic is a huge risk in the first place, and as an avid karaoke goer, it's a risk I'm willing to take, but not at a place like the High Note where I don't feel like precautions are being taken nearly...

One of the most bizarre and unpleasant experiences I've ever had in Milwaukee. Had never been to High Note before, but as a karaoke enthusiast, I was thrilled to discover it. I even invited a friend from Chicago up to check the place out. Of course, I looked at the website and Google page for the hours before heading over.

Upon approach, there was a large group of people hanging out and smoking outside. I tried to open the door (during business hours, natch) and it was locked. The assembled crowd informed me that there was a private party and we weren't allowed inside. I asked if there was any chance we could join the party (who doesn't like making new karaoke friends?). Some random dude responded, "They're all too nice to tell you no, but I'm not."

My friend and I uncomfortably wandered away -- still confused, because there was no indication (e.g., a sign on the door) that they were closed for a private event. I then called the bar's main number and got a recording (the recording also said nothing about the bar being closed that evening). I left a message asking for them to call back to give me more information about what was going on. Well, to top it all off, It's been two weeks, and no one has bothered to...