Karaoke bar opens in former Cedar Rapids taco bar

CEDAR RAPIDS — Break out your vocal scales — a new karaoke bar has opened in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Studio 6 Karaoke Bar opened at 203 First Ave. SE on Oct. 25.

While plenty of bars across the Corridor have karaoke, Studio 6 appears to be one of the only bars in the area dedicated to the often inebriated art form.

“Studio 6 is revolutionizing the karaoke experience by elevating performance to unprecedented heights,” the bar’s website says. “We blend a passion for singing with a studio-like ambience, allowing you to step closer to your aspirations of becoming a performer.”

Unlike other bars with a microphone and karaoke machine onstage, Studio 6 has an enclosed studio set up with headphones, microphones, and equipment in what appears to be a soundproof private booth with a window for bystanders to watch the magic happen from a distance.

The booth can be reserved online in advance. It’s open 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

In addition to drinks and cocktail classes, the bar has a light food menu with egg rolls, sliders, sandwiches and flatbreads.

The location was previously home to SKO Tavern & Tacos, the short-lived taco bar that opened in May 2022. The Epic Catering LLC bar closed toward the end of 2023, although the exact date is unclear.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.