There is karaoke, and then there is Live Band Karaoke at Up the Creek. Every Saturday night, the microphones come out, the band strikes up and members of the audience get the chance to step on stage and become the lead singer of a real live band.
Taking place after the Saturday night comedy show, Live Band Karaoke turns Up the Creek from comedy club into late-night live music venue. Whether you have been waiting all week for your moment in the spotlight or need a little persuasion from your friends, the format is simple: choose a song, take the microphone and let the band do the rest.
Karaoke with a real four-piece band
The big difference is right there in the name. Instead of singing over a backing track, performers are accompanied by a four-piece live band. That changes the whole experience. The room feels more like a gig, the songs have the energy of a live performance and, for a few minutes at least, you get to find out what it feels like to front a band.
The song selection covers karaoke classics, crowd-pleasers and guilty pleasures, so this is not a night reserved for serious singers. It is designed for anyone willing to get involved. You might be a confident performer who knows exactly what you want to sing, or someone who only agreed to go on stage because the rest of the table would not let you escape. Both are part of the fun.
A different kind of Saturday night in Greenwich
Live Band Karaoke starts at 10:30pm on Saturdays, making it an easy way to extend the night rather than heading home after dinner, drinks or a show.
Up the Creek is already one of Greenwich's best-known live entertainment venues, and Saturday nights begin with the club's regular comedy show. Once the comedy finishes, the atmosphere shifts from stand-up to live music and singalongs.
If you already have a ticket for the Saturday Night Comedy Show, entry to Live Band Karaoke is free. Otherwise, Live Band Karaoke tickets are currently £5, which makes it an easy addition to a night out in Greenwich even if you are coming specifically for the music.
You do not have to sing
There is no requirement to get on stage. Some people arrive determined to perform; others are perfectly happy watching their friends, joining the crowd and singing along from the floor.
That is part of what makes live band karaoke work so well for groups. The entertainment is not separated from the audience in the way it is at a conventional gig. The people in the room become part of the show, and you never quite know who is going to step up next.
Perfect for groups, birthdays and spontaneous nights out
If you are organising a birthday, meeting friends in Greenwich or simply looking for something different to do on a Saturday night, Live Band Karaoke gives the evening a built-in event without making it feel too planned.
You can make a full night of it with comedy first, stay on for the karaoke, or arrive later and head straight into the music. Up the Creek is at 302 Creek Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9SW, around a minute's walk from Cutty Sark DLR and roughly five minutes from Greenwich station.
What should you sing?
That decision is yours. The safest strategy is usually to choose something you genuinely enjoy rather than worrying too much about whether it demonstrates your vocal range. A song the room knows can quickly turn one person's performance into a full-club singalong.
And if your first choice feels too ambitious once you are standing next to an actual band, remember: this is a Saturday night out, not an audition. Enthusiasm goes a long way.
Make Saturday night last a little longer
Live Band Karaoke is one of those nights that works because nobody knows exactly what is going to happen. A brilliant singer might appear from nowhere. Your quietest friend might suddenly volunteer. A familiar song might have the whole room joining in.
That unpredictability is the point. Come for the comedy, come for the karaoke, or combine both and turn Saturday night at Up the Creek into a full evening of live entertainment.
Check the latest Up the Creek listings for upcoming Saturday dates and tickets. If you are staying after Saturday Night Comedy, keep hold of your comedy ticket and get ready for the band to take over.