Voicebox Karaoke Northwest — Restaurant in Portland

If you don't go by your legal first name and don't want to hear it spoken out loud in front of everyone you know, DO NOT GO HERE. I really wish I could say that I fully enjoyed my experience here, because I did actually have fun, but I had a horrific experience at the end of my night out with friends on 4/16 that ruined this place for us.

It was a birthday party, and we had a small group of 5 in room 4 being helped by Johnny. Super great guy, really fun and chill personality. He took care of us throughout the night, and specifically made sure to only ask for our last names when we paid, because he knew that not everyone goes by their legal first name. As a trans person who can't afford to change their legal name, that made me feel very safe.

Once our time was up, Johnny wasn't there anymore, but there was another person at the bar who called us over to close our tabs. It took a while for him to figure out the system, but in the time we were waiting, whoever the lady was at the front desk at 8pm that night starts calling out to us "(My legal first name)? Is there anyone named (legal name) here?" and I was mortified. My friends have never heard my legal name before because, again, I'm transgender, and that information is incredibly sensitive. She outted me in front of all of them. I lifted my hand a little to not draw attention to myself but to still acknowledge her, and she said something like "(Legal name)? Hi, yeah, we need to settle your tab." and I very angrily responded "Yeah, we're working on it." and I fully turned my body away from her. I stormed out of the building once the tab was settled, and I still haven't fully emotionally recovered now 3 days later. It's been on my mind this entire time.

That experience was so devastating that I'm making sure none of my friends and I will ever return. $60 to sing some songs and get deadnamed in front of my friends is the biggest waste of money I can think of. Probably too late to demand a refund, if they can even figure out their own system enough to do it.

Honestly, this is Portland, Oregon. Queer folk are around every corner. It blows my mind that the woman at the front counter, the person positioned to be the FACE of this establishment, would be so uneducated. If you're trans, save yourself the money and the embarrassment and go...

Karaoke Kingdom in the Northwest: VoiceBox Delivers the Sonic Goods!

Prepare yourself, Portland party people, because VoiceBox Karaoke in the Northwest is not just a karaoke joint – it's a vocal voyage, a sonic sanctuary, and an all-around karaoke kingdom.

🎤 Mic Mastery 🎤 Let's talk mics. These aren't your run-of-the-mill, seen-at-every-bar microphones. No, these are magic wands that turn even the shyest shower singers into belting balladeers. Crystal clear sound quality, no awkward feedback – just pure, unadulterated vocal bliss.

🌟 Song Selection Extravaganza 🌟 Whether you're channeling your inner Freddie Mercury or unleashing your hidden rap skills, VoiceBox has got you covered. The song selection is a veritable musical treasure trove. From classic rock anthems to the latest chart-toppers, your vocal cravings will be satisfied.

🎉 Private Party Paradise 🎉 Gone are the days of embarrassing yourself in front of strangers. At VoiceBox, you get your own private karaoke den. It's like having your personal stage where you and your entourage can rock out without fear of judgment. The themed rooms add that extra flair – it's like karaoke, but make it stylish.

🍹 Libation Liberation 🍹 Thirsty from all the high notes? Fret not! The libation menu is as impressive as the song catalog. Sip on a creative cocktail, enjoy a local brew, or just stick with a classic – the liquid courage flows freely at VoiceBox, ensuring your vocal cords are well-lubricated for the next power ballad.

🌈 Karaoke Atmosphere Extraordinaire 🌈 The ambiance is electric, the staff is friendly, and the crowd is always ready to cheer you on. Whether you're a karaoke virtuoso or a first-timer, the atmosphere at VoiceBox is infectious, turning every performance into a memorable moment.

In conclusion, VoiceBox Karaoke Northwest is not just a karaoke spot; it's a haven for vocal enthusiasts, a party paradise, and a place where dreams (and high notes) come true. If you're in Portland and you haven't experienced the magic of VoiceBox, you're missing out on a karaoke extravaganza of epic...

This is the 4th time I try and come sing my heart out at voicebox. I lived in Japan for three and a half years so i was excited at the prospects of Japanese style Karaoke and private room set up.

Unfortunately there are issues that have cropped up. The first is that it is not like Japanese Karaoke. Their hours are severely limited , has more of a bar feel, and the waiters are constantly interrupting. Supposedly the latter is because they are, according to the website and tipping instructions, providing an above average experience. To me it feels more like they want to make sure you order alcohol and earn an added tip. I have a problem with the added tip recommendation....include that in your pricing as that's what prices are for. But the other problem I have with this service is that these waiters come in throughout your time there so your private singing is not so private and feels like you're constantly being interrupted. Japanese Karaoke is not like that at all. In Japan you communicate by a phone or ring the bell when you need something.

Age is a problem. Some of my friends and family members are not over the age of 21. Karaoke would be the perfect activity except that minors are not allowed after ten.

Lastly groups of six or more are mandatory on Saturdays. The host was kind enought to explain the policy of minimun 60$ (6 people) and told me the deal about $7 bucks an hour on certain weekdays. I had gone alone as i needed to de-stress (?) So this was a disappointment as well especially because in Japan it was easy for me to go alone, with another person, or multiple people. I am the kind of person to come to a karaoke on weekdays but Voicebox has failed repeatedly to create any loyalty from me. It's too bad as I had thought initially the place had so much potential.

I realize this is the U.S. and things get done differently but maybe I wouldn't be so disappointed if it had not been advertised or talked...