If you're a first-timer, please read--I have a tip or two for you. Warning though, this is going to be epically long.
To start, you must know that even though I am a regular, I can be very critical of things just as anyone else. Even though I love many venues, I will point out flaws where I see it.
That being said though, I have seriously never had a problem with service in all my years of coming here. I've not had unfriendly attendants or bartenders including the new girl they recently hired--even she was amazing. Kyle is still my favorite though; he is like the face of GS to me and if he ever left, it just wouldn't feel the same. He is very friendly and entertaining to boot.
As far as drinks go, they can make maybe 75% of the things I prefer. If they don't have it, the bartender is usually skilled enough to substitute for something similar. I wish I could remember the name of the cute haole girl, but that's what she did for me one night. Whatever I had (some type of coffee liquor drink?) ended up being way better than what I originally wanted. To that bartender: If you're ever reading this, thank you--though you may not remember me because I was entirely blue in the face (with face paint).
Room talk: This is somewhat a hole in the wall place so yes, the rooms may look a little dated but there is nothing wrong with them (at least not that have experienced). I feel bad for that one guy that said his air conditioner didn't work but I am usually freezing my bunnies off in those rooms. Always. Bring a jacket or don't sit in line of the AC. Other than that, the rooms are always clean, functional, not fancy but does the job.
Karaoke systems: GS (and Toma's) has the best song lookup system of all the karaoke venues I've been to. Take note: there a Japanese system, which uses a handheld input device and an English system, which uses traditional books and song numbers. Both are in every room. Your attendant will usually switch it to the English if it's obvious you're not going to sing Japanese, Korean or Chinese songs.
Here is the secret though, the Japanese JoySound system is the best I've used and has all the most popular English songs. From Frozen to Queen, they've got you covered. Why choose the JoySound over the English machine? Because the JoySound uses a handheld touchscreen input that lets you search artist, song, partial queries, history, genre, ranking, and keyword--though I've never used that button.
If you want to make your life easier, consider learning how to use it. You will never use those bulky books again!
Ask an attendant to show you the basic functions and all you have to do is memorize what they look like. You don't have to read Japanese at all. There's only a few things you need to know: where to search for songs (press the button that says English), how to enter, cancel, and go back.
Later I'll make a video tutorial and post a link or something for how to use it. I swear by this machine even if I'm only singing English songs. (I do try my hand at Korean and Japanese from time to time though.)
Lastly: Price. I find their prices ridiculously fair. I actually come here alone sometimes and I get what I call the "2-hour lonely-man special." Don't ask them for that though, that's not the title of the special lol.
I don't know what it's really called but somehow I will spend two hours belting out songs to myself only to pay about $11. Yes. People karaoke alone. I think it's therapeutic lol. If you ever want to go solo, that's the option for you! Other than that, check the rates at karaoke-gs.com by clicking service. (My, isn't that convenient?)
Technical difficulties: There is only one time I've ever encountered an issue and it was with a mic in one of the rooms. The sensitivity was kind of finicky and it would only pick up your voice if you were singing loudly or directly into the mic as close as possible. The attendant came to adjust it and it was better but not perfect. Not enough of a hiccup for me to deduct any stars or for it to drag down my night. My sis and I just switched off with the good mic.
Five stars because that is how satisfied I am with my experience every time I come. So far there has been nothing that negatively impacts my opinion and with no need for books, a bar right there, private rooms, and friendly staff? --for me, GS is the best place for karaoke on the island. read more