Picture this: A 97-pound white boy rapping to Fifty Cent's "In Da Club," a pajama pant-clad girl belting out "Flashdance" and a singing family large enough to take down the Polyphonic Spree. You never know who's going to rock the stage next at Sidekicks karaoke bar, but you can bet that Abba's "Dancing Queen" is on someone's agenda.
The decor here is as eclectic as the crowd. Red framed photographs of various fried foods hang on wood-paneled walls, creating all the glam of a high-school cafeteria. The real stuff can be ordered, street vendor-style, at a side kitchen window. Choose from fried options like onion rings (sold by the foot), breaded mushrooms or cheese sticks. Pre-packaged pizzas and other greasy treats are called out by number and served in plastic baskets.
On weekends, waitresses loop the bar with trays of sugary shots served in test tubes. For just $2 each, you can down enough to ward off any oncoming stage fright. Though after sticking around for an hour or so, you'll realize there's nothing to be nervous about here. Thanks to the cheap beer and outlandish song selection, no one at Sidekicks takes themselves too seriously.
Binders of songs are strewn on every table and you can search by artist or title (the track list can also be downloaded from the bar's website). Karaoke starts at 8 p.m. and requests are thrown in immediately. Show up after midnight and you probably won't be hitting the stage, but you can still sip Bacardi like it's your birthday.
Centerstage Reviewer: Stacy Warden
