The Drafthouse brought its signature charm and creativity back to the mic, and this time, the stage (or at least the themed room) is yours.
“We really wanted to upgrade our facilities across the board, and karaoke was part of that,” explains Taylor Smith, Field Marketing Manager for Alamo Drafthouse Dallas-Fort Worth.
After a brief closure last year, the Drafthouse has focused heavily on elevating its guest experience with everything from seat replacements to new projectors, “creating the kind of experience people are willing to leave their homes for,” Smith adds.
The reopening of the karaoke rooms, which were first introduced in 2016, follows this ethos perfectly.
Each of the four karaoke rooms is adorned with its own unique theme, emerging as an extension of the Alamo Drafthouse’s whimsical and creative DNA.
“We try not to take ourselves too seriously,” Smith says.
The Space Invader Room is the largest of the four karaoke spaces and accommodates up to 15 people, inviting them to launch into the “karaokeverse” with a retro-futuristic sci-fi vibe featuring décor that would make Rod Serling smile.
Smaller rooms, like the LEGO-inspired Blockheads Room, the carnival-esque Funhouse Room, and the oversized Pinball Room, each hold six guests and deliver immersive, nostalgic visuals that beg for impromptu singalongs to everything from “Bohemian Rhapsody” to “Mr. Brightside.”
The Blockheads Room combines childhood nostalgia with upbeat tunes, inviting guests to sing their hearts out in a kaleidoscope of color.
Nicholas Sanders
Stepping into one of these karaoke havens is not only a visual delight but also a technological leap. Smith details how the rooms underwent significant upgrades to bring them fully into 2025.
“We got all new TVs, QSC speakers and completely updated software,” she explains.
Perhaps the most exciting addition is the new song licensing partnership with Lyrical Systems, providing access to a catalog of over 75,000 songs that continues to expand regularly.
Guests will find navigating this vast collection effortless, thanks to user-friendly interfaces and QR-based ordering systems. Two televisions in each room offer flexible viewing options, whether you want to serenade your audience head-on or subtly belt out your favorite tune while focusing on the larger screen.
No karaoke night is complete without snacks and liquid courage, and the new setup ensures you won’t have to miss a note to indulge. A simple flick of a light switch alerts the bar upstairs to your order for seamless integration of food, drinks and performance that turns Glass Half Full into more than just a karaoke venue. It feels like an all-encompassing evening escape.
Beyond the fun and tech, there’s a broader vision at play.
“Community is one of our pillars,” Smith says.
That’s exactly what these karaoke rooms do — groups of friends, coworkers or classmates bond over shared moments of song and laughter.
This communal spirit also extends to exciting plans in the works, as Smith hinted at a potential monthly drag karaoke event, an evolution of Alamo’s popular drag brunches.
For those ready to grab the mic, reservations are ready. Smaller rooms run at $20 an hour, while the Space Invader Room is $40 an hour. Reservations can be made online.
Ultimately, whether you’re channeling Freddie Mercury or reliving a version of childhood singing into a hairbrush, the karaoke rooms at Alamo Cedars are inviting you back to revel in the joy of connection. And maybe a little off-key harmony, too.
