Cordless karaoke
Petite with personality to spare, East Village favorite Planet Rose differs from your typical karaoke joint in that there’s no real stage, not a whole lot of “Sweet Caroline” renditions happening, and there are just as many patrons hanging out for the bar scene as there are for the karaoke. Tipsy hipsters pack the place, waiting to belt out songs without having to give up the comfort of their bar stool, thanks to a conveniently unrestrictive cordless mic. The communal singing scene is more than lively, with fellow patrons and highly talented bartenders getting involved. The interior—we feel feral-dive is a sufficient description—is chock-full of mismatched animal prints, leopard rugs and zebra couches, all set against punchy scarlet walls. (219 Avenue A between 13th and 14th Sts., 212-353-9500)

Movieoke
Finally, a "professional" platform for all the perpetual film-quoters pissing everyone off with their constant cinematic references. Movieoke—karaoke offspring for people who can't stand to sing—works like this: You choose a movie and a specific scene to play. Once you're on stage, DVD subtitles are activated, and the movie is projected on a screen behind you. You take it from there, using a small monitor in front of the stage as a reference point. We wonder how many times the phrases "You talkin' to me?" or "Nobody puts Baby in the corner" have been uttered. Wednesdays, 9 p.m.-12 a.m. at The Den of Cin below Two Boots Video and Pizzeria. (44 Ave. A at E. 3rd St., 212-254-0800) 

Country karaoke
Down and dirty Boerum Hill spot (and self-proclaimed "sweet-ass bar") Hank's Saloon doesn't attract slumming hipsters, but rather hard-drinking locals with a penchant for barbecue, cheap beer and country music. Swing by at 9 p.m. on Monday nights for Live Band Kuntry Karaoke, when warbling wannabes belt out classics by Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Patsy Kline with a live band behind them. Not only is it free to sing, but also to eat—free barbecue comes with the territory. (46 Third Ave. at Atlantic Ave., 718-625-8003)

‘80s karaoke
The self-proclaimed Washington Heights equivalent of Rick's Place in "Casablanca," Coogan’s—a neighborhood restaurant and saloon with an Irish feel and a diverse clientele—boasts a changing roster of weekly events, a hearty menu and a jumping bar scene, but it’s their acclaimed ‘80s karaoke series every Thursday night at 8 p.m. that rocks the house. With an extensive (and bilingual!) song selection, the tunes hail strictly from the decade, with some ‘80s trivia thrown in for good measure. (4015 Broadway between 168th and 169th Sts., 212-928-12340)

Rock-'n'-roll karaoke
Forget all those spots that cropped up recently calling themselves “rock bars” yet have no live music. There’s a difference between a rock-themed bar and an actual rock bar, and pleasantly divey Arlene’s Grocery is most certainly the latter. An LES staple for up-and-coming acts, the joint gives the rest of us with rocker ambition a shot every Monday at 10 p.m., with their badass rock-'n'-roll karaoke series. Forget polyphonic, pre-recorded background tracks to go along with your spirited rendition of Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life”—you get an actual live rock band to back you up. (95 Stanton St. between Ludlow and Orchard Sts., 212-995-1652)

Drag-queen karaoke
Neighborhood folks park on swivel-stools at the bar or tuck into metal tables inside the brick-and-mirror dining room at Red Hook's Hope & Anchor , a New American "diner" with a hearty menu, a full bar and breakfast 'till closing. A loungey vibe takes over late in the week, as folks gear up for the lively drag-queen-hosted karaoke nights (Thursday to Saturday), which boasts an extensive and offbeat song book, a diverse crowd and an unintimidating vibe. (347 Van Brunt St. at Wolcott St., 718-237-0276)

Hip-hop karaoke 
If you’re looking for a cheap laugh with a drunken rendition of “Baby Got Back,” you may want to head to the Upper East Side because this is not for the flippant—and this crowd will not laugh with you. Designed with the true hip-hop head in mind, this monthly celebration of the genre often appears more like a battle of the unknown or aspiring MC’s than an actual “karaoke” event. For starters, there aren’t any monitors feeding you lyrics, and you’re provided with a DJ, the original instrumental of your chosen track and an actual hypeman to help you out and lend it an authentic feel. Knowing all the words to “U Can’t Touch This” isn’t considered ironic or humorous here. If you can spit every word to Big L’s “Put It On” without missing a beat, you’ll fit right in. The next event is scheduled for Nov. 2, at The Knitting Factory with sign-up starting at 10 p.m. and performances at 11 p.m. Check hiphopkaraokenyc.com for more info. (74 Leonard St. betwen Church St. and Broadway, 212-219-3132)

Private-room karaoke (that’s not BYOB)
Ah, yes. Just where everyone wants to be when looking to unwind after a long day at work: on the second floor of a Midtown office building. Once inside Chorus Karaoke though, you’ll be privy to an interesting mix of people belting it out in one of the many private karaoke rooms (which can hold up to 35 people) or just unwinding in the industrial-modern lounge area. Unlike most other private-room karaoke bars, which are BYOB, Chorus has a very full bar and an oddly mixed Japanese/American bar food menu (shumai and mozzarella sticks, anyone?). For groups planning to sing for the night, packages are available that include food, beer and bottles of top-shelf liquor. (25 W. 32nd St. between Fifth Ave. and Broadway, 212 967-2244)

Ultimate karaoke
Occupying 23,000 square feet in the core of touristy Times Square, Spotlight Live features four floors of indulgent technology to help fame-freaks achieve their 15 minutes. Not only can you rock out karaoke-style in front of your fellow diners with professional singers and musicians behind you, but can also cut a track in a private recording booth, have your performance broadcast in real-time on a JumboTron for all of Times Square to see, and prep in an actual green room, where you’ll gain backstage advice from choreographers and hairstylists. High-tech interactive tabletops enable cowardly viewers to rate, insult and comment on the wannabe stars. (1604 Broadway between 48th and 49th Sts., 212-246-2693)