Thirsty Scholar

2201 Neil Ave., Campus

614-298-9805

Web: oldfieldsonhigh.com/thirstyscholar

What sets The Thirsty Scholar's Monday-night karaoke gathering apart from other local sing-along sessions? Proximity.

"It's such a small bar. It's very cozy, so everybody who is there is almost forced by geography to pay attention to the stage," said Patrick Roach, one half of local two-man karaoke crew Excesss Karaoke.

Roach has emceed Monday karaoke night at The Thirsty Scholar since last January. "You get a lot of friendly bonds that you don't get at some of the larger bars," he said.

Situated at the intersection of Lane and Neil Avenues - more or less equidistant from Ohio Stadium and the Schottenstein Center - the bar unsurprisingly attracts a crowd of mostly college students and recent graduates. That means Scissor Sisters and other modern acts are just as likely to get a reading as classic karaoke selections like "Don't Stop Believing" and "Sweet Caroline."

Thanks to Roach's large selection of tunes, just about anything goes. Just no "Hail to the Victors," please.

Runners up: Mickey's Bar, Ravari Room

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