Craving the Craze
Doc's Karaoke Bar and Grill
Craving the Craze
By Candice Conti
Published in the SLO City News May 18, 2007, SLO City
Business, Page 15
Having emerged from Japan in the early '70s, karaoke has exploded all over the globe. More than just another form of entertainment, karaoke offers ordinary people the chance to be extraordinary. Whether young or old, a college student, a professor or aspiring singer, anyone who can follow a tune and read a few lines from a video screen can do karaoke.
So, how is that karaoke has become so popular so quickly, and why are people so fixated on it? With karaoke popping up everywhere, from bars to weddings, everybody seems to have a favorite song they just love to holler out.
Determined to find the answer, I decided to simply go out for a night of karaoke at a new place I had heard about that has karaoke every day --- Doc's Karaoke Bar and Grill in Downtown San Luis Obispo. With three goals to accomplish: Obtain a margarita on the rocks, scribble down some notes and most important, avoid getting up on stage (at all costs!), I set out for a night on the town. After kicking back, observing my surroundings and talking with the owners of Doc's and several different amateur performers, I soon realized why everyone is crazed over karaoke. We all want our five minutes of fame.
Owners Raul Torres and Doc Thompson opened Doc's Karaoke Bar and Grill, which is located at 1051 Nipomo St.in the old Tortilla flats location, at the end of January after several months of reconstruction. The partners decided to open the bar because of their shared passion for karaoke. "We both love music," Thompson says. Raul is a singer and I'm not, but I love the business end of it."
Hoping to create a comfortable, friendly and ... fun atmosphere for people of all ages to enjoy. Thompson and Torres have a mixed clientele that is very supportive of all the performers regardless of their musical talents. “They don't have to be good --- they really don’t” Torres says with a smile. We’ve heard the worst that God has put on the earth, and surprisingly enough the audience will applaud for them louder than a good singer because they applaud their courage.
"With more than 20,000 songs to choose from, young or old, rockers or country buffs can find a musical melody to perform. Four touch screen computers encased in the allow people to search for their favorite songs by name or title. Once customers pick a song, they eagerly await their turn to be in the spotlight.
Doc's customers come for all different reasons; some are serious performers, while others just want to let loose and have some fun.
For 23 year old Cuesta College student Jonathon Daly, Doc’s is a prelude to something bigger. "I like to sing country music like Toby Keith and George Strait;" he says. "I come here seven days a week. I sing every night. My dreams are to become a Disney performer and to get on American Idol. Coming to Doc's every night helps me to perform better and eliminates stage fright."
But for 46-year-old Arroyo Grande resident Carrie Rapler, who belted out Tina Turner's hit song "Proud Mary," it's all about having a good time. “I. love the bar;” she exclaims. "It's a lot of fun and really good people."
Doc's is more than just a karaoke bar grilling up some casual cuisine like buffalo and Angus burgers, hot dogs, quesadillas and nachos with prices ranging from $4 to $12.
On many nights; Doc’s offers specials such as Corona beers for a buck on Mondays and $2 beers every day during Happy Hour from noon to 4 p.m. They also have dinner shows through the week from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and family shows Saturdays starting at 1pm.
Doc’s Bar and grill is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week, karaoke starts at 8pm. There is never a cover charge and large parties are welcome.
Copyright: SLO City News, 2007
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