Before I begin, I have to thank my friend Wade for the inspiration for this month’s column. His not-so-quiet persistence finally convinced me to write about one of his favorite pastimes, which is, not so surprisingly, a guilty pleasure many Americans share (especially after a drink … or 10).

What could I be talking about? Here’s a hint: Ever seen the movie Duets with Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow? One reviewer described the film – set in what the Japanese call “empty orchestra” but everyone else knows as a karaoke bar – as being about “an instance where you alone are the center of attention and everyone is cheering.”

Whether the audience is cheering or laughing, publicly embarrassing oneself with sub-par vocal stylings is a popular way to beat the blues. So if you’re looking for a way to start singing a new tune, check out some of my favorite karaoke bars.

If you’re looking for a place to go on Tuesday nights and feel the need to belt out a ditty or two, look no further than karaoke at Bourbon Street with your host Tom. It’s a gay old time with song, sometimes dance and definitely booze. On my last visit, I heard song renditions of all types, from Broadway musicals to screaming-at-the-top-of-your-lungs punk music, which was quite an ear-opening experience. Needless to say, there are lots of songs to choose from.

When contestants are aplenty, you can also watch or participate in the karaoke competition for a chance to win $50 in cash for first place, and bar tabs of lower value for second and third. Don’t forget to check out Fabulous Bingo on Wednesday nights, hosted by Nicole, and the Wet Underwear Contest on Thursday nights with Trixie.

Bourbon Street is located on 4612 Park Blvd., and open daily from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. (as if you didn’t already know).

No matter what time of day, you will probably find this neighborhood bar inhabited by regulars and people off the street needing a cold beer, especially on weekend nights when karaoke is the name of the game. Anyone who is anybody knows that this is the place to be for karaoke, and the karaoke aficionados here mean business. There’s even a designated stage for people to showcase their talent (or lack thereof).

The venue doesn’t cover much square footage, but it makes good use of the space – with cozy leather booths, a large bar in the center, and stools fitting into every nook and cranny. The jukebox and pool table add a nice touch as well (whenever karaoke is not in session).

Urban Addict Tip: Don’t forget to tip the karaoke jockey (KJ) if you want to sing your song in a timely manner.

The Lamplighter is located on 812 W. Washington Ave., and is open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Literally meaning “Korean folk village,” Min Sok Chon is a jewel among karaoke bars, tucked away in an unassuming strip mall in Kearny Mesa. As soon as you walk through the door, you know how the place got its name – soft lighting, large wooden tables, luminescent lanterns and paper-like dividers throughout the restaurant that create little alcoves, almost resembling huts. In the center of the restaurant and the adjacent bar, people can eat and mingle, singing to their hearts desire.

The private karaoke rooms, however, are where the action is. I witnessed one group of partygoers singing and dancing on the tables in their room and going bonkers under the disco lights. Rooms can be rented for $25 per hour (rooms are half-priced during happy hour, or at least on the Sunday I visited), and hold up to 20 people. In this manner, you can serve as your own KJ and only have to fight your friends, instead of strangers, for a chance at the microphone.

Each room even has a page button; just minutes after pushing it, a server was at our door ready to satisfy our every culinary and karaoke desire.

The only drawback is that the song selection is a bit lacking – Backstreet Boys and even Whitney Houston songs were missing from the repertoire.

Urban Addict Tip: If you come to Min Sok Chon with a hearty appetite, order an item or two from the extensive menu. For those of you who are novices at ordering Korean food and want to play it safe, I recommend the bulgogi (pronounced bull-go-ghee). It’s essentially marinated strips of beef. And don’t forget to down some soju, or Korean rice vodka. It packs a punch and comes in all sorts of delicious fruit flavors.

Min Sok Chon is located on 4620 Convoy St., #C, and is open daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Now, this last venue, which also serves as a steakhouse, may not fit the strict standards of a karaoke bar. There is no song book to choose from or karaoke host to bribe. However, every Monday and Tuesday nights, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., the David Shaw Duo, comprised of Dave Shaw and Paul Gregg, bring you the best in Dixieland jazz music; Paul sings and the twosome play their own instruments, which include the piano, clarinet, trumpet and saxophone.

So where does the karaoke come in to play? Well, if there’s a song you want to sing, and Paul knows how to play it on the piano (he has an extensive list of songs he can play), then you can join the band and sing your heart out while Paul accompanies you on piano. But don’t ask him to play the likes of Britney Spears or Jennifer Lopez; one of Paul’s favorite songs happens to be “Our Love is Here to Stay.”

The Red Fox Room attracts “characters of all sorts,” according to one of the patrons, which makes perfect sense since the bar is quite inviting with large, red leather booths, amber-colored stained glass and dim lights throughout – basically, the perfect place to arrange a secret rendezvous and chow down on some prime rib.

The Red Fox Room is located on 2223 El Cajon Blvd., and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday from 4 p.m. to midnight.

We’ve reached the end of this month’s column, so I leave you with a quote from Robert Fulton Abernethy: “Always keep a song in your heart – it’s like karaoke for the voices in your head.”