Lucky Voice remains at the forefront of London’s karaoke scene. The Islington bar follows in the footsteps of its much-loved older Soho sister; you’re sure to have a great time massacring the classics.

The Venue
Lucky Voice Islington is an easy find on Upper Street. Its wide, black, window-dominated frontage can be easily spied opposite the Town Hall, sandwiched between Highbury and Islington and Angel Tube stations (though it’s a bit of a trek from Angel). Pink stripes on the windows hint at what’s inside - a warm minimalist colourscheme of bold black, orange and pink.

Largely unadorned, such simple blocks of colour could have come across as sterile, but the inviting soft orange lighting and assortment of couches and ottomans in the bar keep it cosy. Of course, the bar isn’t the main concern at a place like this, although after your karaoke session it’s a great place to relax and exchange embarrassed looks with your neighbours.

Lucky Voice Islington has seven spacious private karaoke rooms, less boldly decked out than the bar. Simple solid colours prevail in a more subdued fashion. The lighting is low to encourage participation but features a mirror ball splaying light over your renditions - not classy perhaps, but certainly fun. The rooms hold plenty of inbuilt couch-style seating for when you need to relax during a gender-inappropriate song, and block tables for the inevitable drinks.

The Atmosphere
Ordering a round of drinks is achieved through a brilliantly simple ‘Thirsty’ button that summons a server to your room. They are generally very prompt although at times one suspects that everyone is ordering at the same time, hence a small delay. However, they are always friendly and patient as you try and round up large orders from your group of X Factor wannabes. And this friendliness pervades throughout Lucky Voice Islington. Karaoke is fun, after all. A box of wigs, hats and percussion is provided in every room; not only is this convenient for the shy wallflowers of your group, who can tambourine along until the drinks kick in, it’s also a great way to encourage everyone to relax and open up. It’s not often you can see your friends in work clothes wearing cowboy hats and silly wigs.

Generally most of the clientele arrive and go off to their private rooms and sing their hearts out before retiring to the bar for more drinks. A late licence until 2am on Friday and Saturday makes sure your party isn't cut short. Don’t be surprised if spontaneous dancing breaks out; it’s refreshing to be somewhere where everyone is just out for a good, unpretentious time.

The Music
Karaoke is the main event at Lucky Voice Islington, but the front bar plays crowd-pleasing classics and you’re bound to know most of them by heart. The karaoke selection in each room is especially impressive. The selection is broad and accessed through a touch screen system; confusing remote controls and massive folders of worn out song choices are refreshingly absent. A long list can be queued up while the singing takes place - just keep your eye on your mates who can delete any songs they don’t approve of.

The rates for the room are per hour and vary depending on how many singers you have and what day and time you want. Split amongst your party it is very affordable, although be aware that the minimum booking is two hours.

The Food
Lucky Voice Islington isn’t designed to give you serious food, but a trio of £8 pizzas are available if belting out Duran Duran works up an appetite. Two are fairly standard fare but the adventurous may want to try the Wasabi Margarita, where the tomato sauce has been infused with the bane of inexperienced sushi eaters everywhere. Garlic aioli and sweet chilli dipping sauces accompany every pizza.

The Drink
The wasabi nod in the pizza department is only a shadow of the Japanese theme running through Lucky Voice’s extensive drink menu. A list of short and long drinks are available for £7, with Japanese influences apparent in several drinks with sake and shochu and names like Tokyo Mule. Even the drinks not directly featuring Japanese liquor are creative and definitely worth a look.

A shot menu is less Japanese influenced with a wide variety of elaborate concoctions for £4.50. Those determined to get into the Japanese spirit can try the novel Cocktail Sushi for £10 with six edible cocktails to be consumed with chopsticks. Shot Pots for larger groups are also available for £40. Asahi is available on tap and bottled, with Kirin, Tiger, Vedett, Corona, Cobra, Singha, Kopparberg Cider and Peroni bottles available also. The wine list is also considerable for a karaoke establishment with white, red, rose and sparkling all available by the glass or a wider selection by the bottle. High rollers can relax with a bottle of spirits or Dom Perignon.

The Last Word
Lucky Voice Islington was built for you to have fun in and it would take a concerted effort on your part to not end the night smiling.

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