Wed 27 Feb 2008. The Venue - Typical Vic pub karaoke venue, nothing flash about it; typical small mid-week crowd; cheap meals at $15 (saw some patrons eating – food looks very appetising and huge serves too); my G&T’s cost $6 each (and I had 10!!); central location, on main shopping strip, near Chapel St, opposite Safeway; big glass windows and doors allowing passer-bys a good look inside; affluent suburb with lots of other newly refurbished, upmarket, trendy bars and cafes; parking plentiful. The Karaoke – Started an hour past advertised starting time but stopped dead on advertised finishing time of 11pm; peaked at 12 people, 10 singers in all, 8 good entertainers (2 familiar faces I know by name – karaoke acquaintances of some 20+ years’ standing!!) was told by all that this was a comparatively quiet night; friendly and helpful hosts in Steve and Elisabeth; good selection of songs (forgot to count or estimate the numbers); computerised rig; good sound; has foldback, but not necessary in such a small venue; good controlled singer rotation, including the fair slotting in of late-comers; appreciative crowd. The Criticisms: Songbooks (my pet hate) in shocking state, tattered; 8 books in all, but all seem to be of varying vintages; too many lines to the one page, small fonts, making them hard to read especially in a dim place; inconsistency abounds with artist names – I never knew there were so many artists with “The” in their names! LOL!; bad stench from the toilets permeates the “back” area. The Verdict: Comfortable feel about the place; I enjoyed myself; I will frequent The Balaclava; it’s only a 10 minute drive from my place!

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