Brass Monkey

Witness the joyous exhibitionism of karaoke, in six languages and varying stages of terrifying wastedness from K-town locals and a heavy USC frat contingent.

Popular Drinks: Beer and cocktails -- the menu recommends the famous apple Martini.

Food: Standard bar food (shrimp cocktail, fries, etc.) served until 1 a.m.

Seating: Lounge area decorated in a comfortable late-'70s-era ski lodge style -- strange set-up, as it makes it hard to get a good view of the stage from many angles.

Ambience: Very diverse crowd; a destination bar for those joined by a love of karaoke.

Extras/Notes: Two-drink minimum or $8.50 cover (karaoke, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.). Some patrons dress up for the performance -- beaded gowns and other costumes have been spotted. Karaoke tunes in English, Spanish, Korean, Thai, Chinese and Tagalog. Mostly '50s-'80s pop music: John Denver to Soft Cell to Frank Sinatra. You have a choice: Mock the song or become the song. Three TV monitors project the lyrics.

Parking: Pay in adjacent structure or test your luck on the street.

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