Anthony’s

I’m of the firm belief that ordinary people are at their supreme best whilst singing karaōke. You’re either up there because you know *exactly* what you’re doing, or you don’t know what you’re doing to at least some degree and don’t care what anybody thinks, or you’re up there despite every natural inclination to do otherwise. And any way you look at it, there’s an admirable showing of humanity (and, most importantly to me at least, people watching) to be witnessed there.
So, Anthony’s. The place very nearly defies any attempt at a description, and it most definitely defies a comparison to any other place I’ve ever been, which I say in the most laudatory way possible. There’s seemingly one of everyone here, everyone *is* most unfailingly kind — and I swear this is no exaggeration — the first time I walked in, I hadn’t been there for 3 minutes and there was someone buying me a shot of whiskey (I had to negotiate to get to whiskey, actually, but still).
They have a very extensive collection of karaōke-​dom that includes even Neil Diamond deep cuts (which my… uh, friend found out for me), so it’s safe to say you’re going to find whatever you’re looking for, the drinks are cheap, and the only thing I’d have to complain about would be the cigarette smoke (seriously, when is this city going to get on board with science on this issue?). But «dive bar» wouldn’t necessarily be an incorrect description here, so maybe breathing in bad air is part of the charm for some people. I don’t judge. Also, they put a $ 50 temporary authorization on any and all card charges, which they’re very (very) up-​front about.
But the cream on the coffee, the icing on the cake… they broadcast a livestream that gets archived.
For. Real.
It’s almost the best idea ever, except the audio quality is not so good (my, uh, friend told me this after reviewing his tape).
But needless to say, I’m a fan. I don’t go there as often as I should, but every time I’ve been I’ve had a really good time. And most importantly, you should go too.

We were feeling daring so we decided to stop in at Anthony’s. It doesn’t look like much on the outside, but we enjoy watching people sing karaōke and thought we’d give it a try. Inside looks run down and very dated. Somewhat dirty and smelled like mold or someone had not showered in years. The bartender looked too young to be working, very trashy and not at all friendly. Very few customers were there and the ones that were seemed a tad scary. Prices weren’t bad but the environment felt very uncomfortable. Maybe it was just a bad night but definitely not my scene.

This is just my opinion, but the way I see it, everyone should, at least once in his or her lifetime, saunter into a relatively sketchy by way of desolate strip center bar, grab the karaōke mic door handle, throw open the door into dark recesses and enter into a different world. At least, that’s more or less how I saw my initial foray into Anthony’s (or is it Joy’s Anthony’s?), this staple of the deep end of Camp Bowie that had me thoroughly entertained most recently.
I hardly know where to begin my tour of the awesome: is it when you look past the disco ball hovering over the wrangling pen singer haven and notice that there’s a glittered-​out saddle, pirouetting, about two feet to its aft? Is it the back-​lit American flag (and back-​lit really isn’t the right word when you consider that the lights behind the flag have been sort of scattered and are now illuminating the fabric from beneath with random spacing in mind)? Is it when you notice that the name of the bar sits tacked to the wall behind the modest stage next to the KJ? Or that the bartender occasionally slips out from behind the serving area to belt out a song or two? Whatever your answer, I wouldn’t change a thing about this phenomenal little time warp.
Know this: they’re unfailingly kind here — there are heartfelt ballads, most of the regulars (at least the night I was in) seemed to be well versed in your modern (and some classic) country fare, and when I sidled up to the bar to take it all in, the barkeep noted «I’ve never heard ‘em boo anyone» as if to suggest that if it was nerves I was concerned with, well, I’d be the only one. Alas, as it were, I’m definitely not a shrinking violet. And the way I see it, leaving belting one out on the table means prime incentive for next time.
And I’m sure of two things: I can’t wait to go back, and Anthony’s will no doubt play exactly the same.

I will go back! It is a great «dive bar»! The bartender was nice & friendly, and was very open to letting me tell her how to make the drink I wanted. The KJ was good, she gave all the singers compliments and encouraging words. Yes, like the other reviews say, there was a lot of old country, but they have a vast selection, from Johnny Cash to The Toadies, so don’t knock what someone else had the guts to sing, get up there and sing your own kind of music! Having managed a karaōke bar, I could nit-​pick, there are a few things that could be tweaked. Overall though, it was good. It was clean, and most importantly the service was friendly! Take a few friends and have a good time making fools of yourself singing those songs that you are ashamed for anyone to know that you know all the words. You know, like Vanilla ice, or the Barbie Girl song!