Reality Check: Do bar sing-alongs actually happen?

Mel Wed, Feb 27, 2008 at 12:41 PM EST

This actually happens about once a week for me. I play in a kickball league in Orlando. We have a sponsor bar we go to after our games and there is a DJ. Without a doubt we will break into either song or dance or both during certain songs. It's quite the riot.

Susi Sat, Jan 26, 2008 at 04:18 PM EST

I was in Chicago a couple of weeks ago and witnessed this phenomenon for the first time at an unbelievably hip upstairs "lounge" called Rockit Bar and Grille (the deeee-lish restaurant is downstairs: kobe burgers and truffle fries, mmmmm). Anyway, the decor was mid-west chic, and by that I mean moose antler chandeliers with exposed-brick walls. The crowd of 20-something corn-fed hipsters thumped, bumped, and TOTALLY sang along to a Journey song that was released well before these kids were born! Uggghh, I felt ancient!

We Are...Penn State! Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 10:55 PM EST

There's a bar here in Happy Valley called the Phyrst, and every Saturday night, a band called the Phyrst Phamily takes the stage for a night of the entire bar standing on tables, dancing, and singing along to things ranging from Johnny Cash to TV theme songs to drinking songs. One of my favorite songs is Unicorns (Green Alligators), which the entire bar also knows hand motions to! Saturday nights (woo) at the Phyrst are definitely something to experience if you're ever near Penn State.

jj11 Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 02:22 PM EST

Last month we went to one of those Japanese places where they cook on a gril in front of you. We had 10 people in our party and we were all drinking those Rum Volcano Death in the AM Drinks and at the end of the meal, we started singing "You've lost that loving feeling" by the Righteous Bros., to our friend (it was her birthday) At first the other patrons just looked at us like we were morons, then the WHOLE restaurant joined in and sang with us. It was so awesome, like out a movie.

jj11 Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 02:15 PM EST

Last month we went to one of those Japanese places where they cook on a gril in front of you. We had 10 people in our party and we were all drinking those Rum Volcano Death in the AM Drinks and at the end of the meal, we started singing "You've lost that loving feeling" by the Righteous Bros., to our friend (it was her birthday) At first the other patrons just looked at us like we were morons, then the WHOLE restaurant joined in and sang with us. It was so awesome, like out a movie.

jj11 Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 02:15 PM EST

Last month we went to one of those Japanese places where they cook on a gril in front of you. We had 10 people in our party and we were all drinking those Rum Volcano Death in the AM Drinks and at the end of the meal, we started singing "You've lost that loving feeling" by the Righteous Bros., to our friend (it was her birthday) At first the other patrons just looked at us like we were morons, then the WHOLE restaurant joined in and sang with us. It was so awesome, like out a movie.

Lyn Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 01:16 PM EST

I've had the bar sing along about 50 times in my bar-aged life. (9 years)... so that's about five a year. Including two weeks ago for Sweet Caroline, and around Christmas- Danny Boy at an Irish bar. I rarely lead these things... it's spontaneous.

Alli Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 12:53 PM EST

My friends and I once lead a bar sing-along to "Jack and Diane," but it was on karaoke night so I don't know if that really counts...

RightNextToMars Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 12:35 PM EST

my brother was a dishwasher at a bar and grill and on his last night, he spontaneously led the whole bar in a rendition of "Piano Man."

So yeah, it happens. And probably not often enough.

Em Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 12:28 PM EST

Ok. I've got one... I live in a fairly small town, and at a local bar- the kind where you know 95% of the people there- there have been times when everyone chimed in on "Bright Eyes" - no one can resist the slow "Turn around... every now and then..." etc. There were also 2 guys who used to break out into this comedic lyrical dance to it, and that encourged everyeone to join in. Everyone who wasn't laughing so hard they were falling over that is!

JenE Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 11:45 AM EST

Cut to seedy dive bar lit solely by neon beer signs crowded full of post-final rowdy college students. Cue Toby Keith's "I Love This Bar" and let the good times roll.

Dave Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 11:25 AM EST

I've definitely been involved in my fair share of bar sing-alongs (not counting karaoke bars, although I've led a few of those as well). The one bar that sticks out in my mind is from college (of course). Any time Journey (Don't Stop Believin), Bon Jovi (Livin' on a Prayer), or St. Elmo's Fire came on at The Tombs in Georgetown, everyone in the bar would sing at the top of their lungs. Did it sound good? Of course not. Was it fun? Absolutely.

wildecat Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 11:09 AM EST

At my college's Rathskeller, every night ended with the entire bar singing along to Frank Sinatra's "That's Life." Great tradition, went on for years.

Matt Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 10:10 AM EST

Have you ever been to a place called college? Don't Stop Believin' makes every college bar stop boozing and sing every word?

Or, being New Yorkers, haven't you all been to a bar on a Saturday night where all the bridge and tunnel erupts into Livin' On a Prayer?

This happens all the time.

jean Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 10:05 AM EST

I remember once at a local bar after the fourth of July fireworks everyone and I mean everyone, sang very loudly, Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard. For some reason it was awesome. Good Times

Heather Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 10:04 AM EST

On my 21st birthday some friends took me to a tiny bar that wasn't much of anything. But the guy playing the guitar and singing managed to nail it just right when he started singing some Hank Williams Jr. That's the only time I've experienced a bunch of people really getting into a song and belting it out en masse.

MCM Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 10:01 AM EST

There is this dive bar in my college town, you know, the kind with no windows and a sticky floor..which didn't matter at all because as soon as Meatloaf's Paradise by the Dashboard Light came on the jukebox everyone was on the tables and chairs in one grand chorus anyway. American Pie too. Ah, good times.

whatever Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 09:56 AM EST

Singing in groups does not surprise me. If those same people broke into a Choreographed dancing, than I would find it a little disconcerting.

RTA Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 09:49 AM EST

In '92 after the Cowboys trashed the Bills in the superbowl we moved the party to the Mucky Duck pub and, when the jukebox played "We Are The Champions" you could have heard the singalong from the packed bar a mile away. Priceless...

Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 09:49 AM EST

Back in Elementary school Alabama's 'Song of the South' came on the bus radio during a field trip. The entire bus full of fourth graders belted out the song. We thought it was pretty awesome.

sdr Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 09:18 AM EST

To 'Missing Baltimore'- Nacho Mama's is still going strong! Come back and have some chips in a hubcap!

Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 08:55 AM EST

manasquan, nj. the osprey. run-around-sue.

Jessica Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 08:55 AM EST

Celtic Symphony by Blackthorn during any Irish festivites in Philadelphia/Jersey Shore. EVERYTIME!

orville Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 07:47 AM EST

Maybe it's an English pub phenomenon (or maybe it's just an "American Pie" thing), but I've experienced it too. *Everyone* in the pub started belting out American Pie. And everyone knew each and every word--I thought that was kind of strange seeing as how it was an English pub and it's a very, very long American song. I had no idea it was so popular across the pond.

Willie B Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 12:43 AM EST

Twice I was in a bar in England and everyone sang along to Angels by Robbie Williams. Twice! Two different bars.

Willie B Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 12:43 AM EST

Twice I was in a bar in England and everyone sang along to Angels by Robbie Williams. Twice! Two different bars.

alexandra Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 12:17 AM EST

definitely sweet caroline - if any bar, no matter what kind of bar, plays that, everyone sings. baseball season or not. (for boston, that is)

nic Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 11:09 PM EST

Yep. one time at a dive bar in Metairie, Louisiana, to "Piano Man" and the most fun was-- at Snug Harbor in New Orleans, to "American Pie." We sang every word to the whole long song.

Elisabeth Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 11:08 PM EST

Best time for bar sing-a-longs, in my personal experience: Irish pubs at St. Patrick's Day. I've witnessed and been a part of 3 in the past 3 years since I've turned legal (or had a fake ID, cough). And it's awesome every time because my birthday falls on this holiday.

The all-time best, however, was a couple of years ago, when the jukebox at an Irish pub in Union Square started to play Don't Stop Believin' by Journey. If you've never heard 100 drunk patrons, mostly Irish, singing with arms linked around each other, you have to try it.

JoePA Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 11:08 PM EST

I remember being in a local Philly neighborhood bar the night of OJ's infamous low speed Bronco chase. The DJ started taking requests, and when someone suggested GnR's "I Used to Love Her", the whole bar sang along. Yes, it was tacky and in bad taste, but it was funny at that moment.

July Moon Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 10:22 PM EST

Wow, this post and the comments are eye opening. I was at a bar in the middle-of-nowhere Kansas a number of years ago and, as soon as "Piano Man" came on the jukebox, the entire place started singing. I remember commenting to my friend that I thought the sing along was strange...and she didn't understand why I thought it was strange. I really thought it was a middle-of-nowhere-Kansas thing. Apparently I haven't been going to the right bars.

Vicky Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 09:31 PM EST

My friends and I pulled together a bar crawl in our home town. There were like 20 of us on this thing and at the 4th bar we all broke into a couple of different songs. The bar got made at us and said we were disturbing the other customers. They actually shhhhed us. So much for a sing-a-long.

Anthony Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 09:30 PM EST

Yes! There's a piano bar in Georgetown called Mr. Smiths. I've been there 8 or 9 times since moving to DC a couple of months ago and every time, every one sings every song he plays.

Kristin Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 09:26 PM EST

Yes. I can vouch for that! One song that my friends and I always sung at karoke everybody sang in different parts of the song they have added to it. The country song was sung by Hank Williams Jr. about how he sings songs that he sings different than his father and family listens too. Gr8 song it is!!!

Kristin Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 09:25 PM EST

Yes. I can vouch for that! One song that my friends and I always sung at karoke everybody sang in different parts of the song they have added to it. The country song was sung by Hank Williams Jr. about how he sings songs that he sings different than his father and family listens too. Gr8 song it is!!!

alyssa Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 08:43 PM EST

I experienced this just last week--my friends started singing along with the piano to Unchained Melody and suddenly the whole bar was singing. It's pretty much the worst song a group of people could ever sing along to, but fun, nonetheless.

dma69 Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 08:41 PM EST

I went to a bisexual party years ago (as a guest of a friend) and when to DJ played Smells Like Teen Spirit, eveyone started singing.

mj Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 08:24 PM EST

if you are at a bar in boston, whether it is baseball season or not, and sweet caroline comes on, the whole place will go crazy and everybody joins in... and it's awesome! go sox!

Chuck Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 08:17 PM EST

The best sporadic sing-along scene of all time is Rupert Everett leading the restaurant to sing "Say A Little Prayer for You" in MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING. In fact, that is one of the funniest scenes EVER...period. Would it ever happen in real life? Absolutely not. Thank God for the movies...

AJ Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 08:09 PM EST

Was in a bar in Florence Italy years ago and everyone - everyone - sang along to "Tempted by the Fruit of Another" from Squeeze. Unreal. Guess its not just a strange American tradition.

Jeanette Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 07:53 PM EST

I used to go to a bar where everyone sang along with "Brown-eyed Girl." No one can resist the sha la las.

Keane Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 07:27 PM EST

The pub that I used to frequent. The house band would play Mazzy Star's 'Ride It On' at least once a night and every time they played it the whole place would sing right along.

Missing Baltimore Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 07:22 PM EST

In Canton there's a tiny bar "Nacho Mammas" specializing in mexican food and margaritas of course. It even states on their menu that Journey plays every night @ 10pm. A whole year of my life was spent belting out Open Arms, Any Way you want it, Don't stop believing, or my personal favorite Seperate ways before heading out to different bars for the night....I miss Baltimore!!!

dan Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 07:14 PM EST

Last weekend there was karaoke at the packed vfw and everyone decided to sing along to 3 particular songs that night. "Total Eclipse of the Heart", "TIme after Time"...and "Stay" (i missed you) by Lisa Loeb. Uptown Minneapolis, you could say it was a mixed crowd.

Nathan Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 07:02 PM EST

If there's ever a bar singalong, it isn't lead by someone that looks like Katherine Heigl, it's usually some tubby, hockey jersey-wearing mouth breather.

DCR Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 07:02 PM EST

About a year ago I was in a bar in Milwaukee, and just before they were about to close they played "Don't Look Back in Anger" by Oasis. Everyone started singing and swaying with their arms around each other...good times.

Tracy Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 06:51 PM EST

I was in Chicago about 12 years ago, and my husband (then boyfriend) and I went into a sort of ordinary-looking bar for a drink before heading over to a live music show. We were only there for a few minutes when Frank Sinatra's voice piped in and the whole place erupted into "My Kind of Town (Chicago)." Ahh... the mighty power of geographical reference in song.

Trini-tee Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 06:36 PM EST

I've been knee deep myself in barroom singalongs - although I have to add that it was karoake night on these occasions ... but yess I have experienced them and on purpose.

The difference here is that I would NEVER be caught dead up onthe bar ... the stage - yes... not the bar...

stephanie Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 06:08 PM EST

ditto on the david allen coe song!

also: hank williams, jr.'s song "family tradition"-- that always got the crowd going. not to mention the last song played at the end of the night-- silk's "freak me". that's just how we roll down in atlanta!

Vicki Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 05:52 PM EST

I am a bartender and every time someone plays You Never Call Me by My Name by David Allen Cole, the whole place errupts in song.. It's the best

David D Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 05:48 PM EST

A hundred years ago, when I was going to NYU, there was a local bar called Adam & Eve, and one night when I was there someone played the flip side of "Philadelphia Freedom" on the jukebox, which was a boisterous live recording of Elton John and John Lennon singing "I Saw Her Standing There." And I can guarantee you that everyone in that bar sang along, LOUDLY and gleefully. Even the falsetto -- ESPECIALLY the falsetto.

Then John Denver's "Annie's Song" followed it and brought the entire bar down like a mudslide.

Martha Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 05:31 PM EST

Oh, c'mon, "Sweet Caroline" survivors. If the entire 30,000-person crowd can sing it at Fenway with no physical or emotional scarring afterward, you can too. Buck up.

kcsgirl Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 05:28 PM EST

I think a whole par sing-a-long happens about every Friday or Saturday night at The Peanut on Main St. here in Kansas City. It's a tiny hole that gets so crowded you have to dance on your table/chair while the whole bar sings at the same time to a viriety of classics typically by Elton John or the Beattles or something. Very fun.

Emily Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 05:26 PM EST

It wasn't technically a bar, but I witnessed an entire Huddle House singing along to "Jessie's Girl" at 4 am on a game weekend in Athens, Ga.

Shannen Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 05:12 PM EST

Do karaoke bars count? Get up and sing Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks or Don't Stop Believin' by Journey and everyone joins in.

Ames Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 05:11 PM EST

One night at karaoke, we sang "Dancing Queen" and the place erupted. It was a lot of fun. I've also seen that happen when someone sang "Tiny Dancer" and we all sang along ala Almost Famous.

Margaret Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 05:05 PM EST

In college, I recall the entire bar (not a dance club, mind you) singing and dancing along to "Hey Ya!" by Outkast. Then someone yelled out, "Play it again!" And they did.

Reggie Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 05:04 PM EST

Barrit's (Barrett's?Baret's?) Privateers. Try being at any bar in Halifax and not be caught in the sing-a-long when that song comes on. At least ten years ago that was the case.
"O the year was 1778
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now
A letter of marque came from the king
To the scummiest vessel I've ever seen"

Dtom Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 04:56 PM EST

Not exactly the same, but there is a wedding band in my town that, at the end of the night, has everyone gather around a piano and sing along to "Piano Man." It's really no fun when it's so orchestrated, especially to such a cliched and ultimately boring song.

Lisa Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 04:54 PM EST

I own a small bar & grill and it happens sometimes - its fun! Its usually late on a weekend night of course. Irish songs, Piano Man, and yes Sweet Caroline are some tunes that come to mind.

Snooks Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 04:52 PM EST

How about dance/move alongs? There is a Nintendo Medley out there and at a bar in my old college town (holla! Lincoln, NE) they used to play it and everyone would stop whatever they were doing and pull out some old Super Mario moves. It was awesome... They always followed it up with the Inspector Gadge theme song which everyone would sing to. Then, when all was done we'd all go back to getting drunk and socializing. Good times, good times...

Matthew Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 04:44 PM EST

What a pessimistic article, obviously your not going to the right bars.

Jennifer Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 04:42 PM EST

I've had this happen multiple times. Mostly to "Don't Stop Believing", "Jessie's Girl" and "Living On A Prayer". It's always so much fun when the entire bar erupts into one song!! =)

Gretchen, again Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 04:41 PM EST

Oh, and "My Humps". My Lord, that song was BELTED at the clubs, ususally while chicks shaked, yep, their humps. Ugh.

Gretchen Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 04:40 PM EST

Well, in my clubbin days, "This is why I'm hot" everyone sang. I learned some of the words to the song that night!! HA!

Celimene Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 04:21 PM EST

Yep. "Sweet Caroline" and "Piano Man" are the classic spontaneous bar sing-along songs. I've heard it happen with "American Pie" as well.

R.L. Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 04:21 PM EST

Once got caught in a "Total Eclipse of the Heart" singalong at a dive bar. It was unbelievable.

Dana Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 03:53 PM EST

Don't Stop Believing after the White Sox won the world Series.

By the way I saw 27 Dresses, I was dragged there by friends, I wanted to see Cloverfield, but anyhow the movie was terrible. Not funny at all, Katherin Heigel is overrated

sdr Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 03:33 PM EST

ugh, i hate sweet caroline. such a cliche. if a bar puts that on i know it is not my crowd.

Allison Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 03:32 PM EST

"Sweet Caroline" "Don't Stop Believin'" & "Come on Eileen" are definitely bar sing-alongs that i have experienced!

Rae Rae Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 03:27 PM EST

I've experienced it a few of times. The songs being "Sweet Caroline" and "Piano Man."

Tiffany Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 03:23 PM EST

I wish my mind would have gone somewhere during that movie. It was awful.

Darcy Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 03:23 PM EST

I was in a bar/pub in Calgary once,the place was packed and there was a cover band playing the usual stuff (Elvis Costello, Oasis, etc). They then broke into "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond and the place went nuts! The whole bar was singing along with band at the top of their lungs.I thought it was so cool. I've never experienced anything like that before or since.

Lindsey Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 03:22 PM EST

I was at an Irish bar in NYC and I vaguely remember the entire bar erupting into the Star-Spangled Banner. I can't remember why, but it was fun!

WarOnTara Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 03:22 PM EST

Anytime Sweet Caroline or Living on a Prayer came on at the bar near my college, everybody sang along.

Ryan Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 03:20 PM EST

Last June, I was in a campus bar right around spring graduation. Don't Stop Believin' came on, and everyone sang along. I mean everyone. This happened to be a mere two days before the now famous Sopranos finale.

Julia M Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 03:18 PM EST

The only occasion I experienced was the whole bar breaking into "Sweet Caroline". It was odd and kind of scary, but we made it through with no real permanent scars.