The Hottest Karaoke Party In LA That You Wish You Knew About
Casablanca Karaoke, the hybrid Karaoke nightlife concept by nightlife notable Judah Johnson, launched two months ago at On The Rox, and has been buzzed around LA since as the hottest underground Tuesday night party. Gaining momentum all Summer long, the endless flow of VIPs, LA partygoers, industry and music artists has been unmatched. The hybrid series blends the allure of LA nightlife with an immersive karaoke experience, creating the ultimate party experience. Paired with an endless flow of cocktails and late night food offerings, set in an iconic sunset strip haunt, the recipe for success is written all over it.
Avani Gregg with guests singing karaoke
Emma Pill and friends
The invite only Tuesday night event is powered with guestlist access by Rumor, featuring specialty cocktails each week and a dimly lit, speakeasy style setting. Certain weeks even include their special edition “Casablanca Karaoke and Caviar” concept, where Golden Reserve Caviar serves up caviar bumps, and chicken finger and french fry caviar plates. (Those nights are our personal favorite.)
In recent weeks at Judah J’s Casablanca Karaoke, the in-demand hybrid series featuring DJ Pookie on the decks weekly, have included as both attendees and guest singers, G-Eazy, Mod Sun, Noah Centineo, Bryce Vine, Kevin Connolly, Travis Bolt, Robin Thicke, Yung Gravy, Casey Affleck, Sarah Gilbert, Tobey Maguire, Lukas Haas, Vincent Laresca, Jaime King, Paola Paulin, Trinidad James, Jessie T Usher, DeVaughn Nixon, Tony DeNiro, Mitchy Collins (Lovely the band frontman), Smilez, Michael Vampire, Benji Bryan (Dead Girls Academy, Vampires Everywhere), The Voice sensation Jacquie Lee, Joel Michaely, Jonathan Keltz, Kyle Stefanski, Marta Pozzan, Andrew Matarazzo, notable influencers and youtubers like Nick Nayersina, Avani Gregg, Quen Blackwell, Izzy Metz, Emma Pill, and even Drake’s Dad Dennis Graham has come by 3x.
DJ Pookie, Ali Lasky, Judah Johnson, G-Eazy, Tony DeNiro
Trinidad James and Judah Johnson
Last week Trinidad James led a showstopping performance of two of his new original tracks for the engaged crowd of guests, including an encore rendition twice over, which was the second pop off for him since the series kicked off.
Two weeks ago, G-Eazy popped into Casablanca Karaoke for a night with friends and performed an impromptu guest DJ set, as karaoke singers paused in excitement for G-Eazy to spin hip-hop tracks, which included a birthday track for one of his friends in tow. Celebrating birthdays at Casablanca has also become a popular trend. G-Eazy was seen holding court at a VIP table all evening with a large group of friends as Pookie also then spun some tracks off his new album for the engaged room. Singer Jacquie Lee wowed the crowd with CRY BABY by Janis Joplin as well while G-Eazy looked on from the DJ booth the same night.
Mod Sun with fellow rockstar pal Mitchy Collins have sung countless numbers over several weeks, highlighted by a throwback to The Doors and Ozzy tracks during the Ozzy Osbourne tribute night that Judah J hosted in his honor. Just this past week Michael Vampire and Benji Bryan graced the mic with Linkin Park’s In The End, before they head out on tour.
Judah Johnson and Mod Sun
Mod Sun and Mitchy Collins performing
LA Nightlife notable Judah Johnson is behind the series, also playing emcee each week along with guest hosts, such as music producer Tony DeNiro, who has been a regular fixture at the night, and relaunched the series, with DJ Pookie at the helm of the music component. Since its debut in June it has been all the buzz ever since, growing in demand each week with notable VIPs, industry players and music artists on hand from week one.
The Scene at Casablanca
The series relaunched at its new home, the iconic Sunset Strip haunt, On The Rox, the private lounge located above the notable and legendary The Roxy theatre on Sunset (owned by Lou Adler, Cisco and Nic Adler), on June 10th, and has played home to the after parties and gatherings of notable rockstars, music artists and A-list talent for decades. Its walls are filled with an unmatched level of rockstar debauchery and untold stories that will stay embossed in its walls forever. There is also a secret, hidden private room that you can only enter through a locked wooden stable door, that looks like a storage room to the regular partygoer. The series previously lived at Jonah’s Kitchen in Santa Monica, and before that Off Sunset, and was originally established at Goal on Third Street, however, the On The Rox version, positioned at “The Next Chapter” has become iconic all on its own.
Jaime King with DeVaughn Nixon
Avani Greg and friend
In addition to bold face names, guests have also included a rotating door of who’s who of nightlife impresarios such as The Houston Brothers, Dean May, Michael Bellisario, Tommy Alastra, Jason ‘Jroc’ Craig and more who have been there religiously each week hanging out and joining in the karaoke vibes. Judah’s relaunched Casablanca series is also in collaboration with Ali Lasky and The Influence.
Judah and producer Tony DeNiro also plan to record and release an album comprising the best Karaoke singers from the series, in which an ongoing contest for studio time has been promoted for the winners currently. Those who sing have a chance to be chosen for the studio album.
Trinidad James performing
Quen Blackwell
The party happens every Tuesday night at On The Rox on The Sunset Strip from 9:30 to 2am. Inquire about the guestlist @casablanacakaraoke on instagram.
DJ POOKIE
Photos by Nick Velasco
