ESPN

Hang Time: Making karaoke magic with Jimmy Butler of the Bulls

On a snowy March evening in Chicago, before a packed house at the popular karaoke joint Trader Todd's, Jimmy Butler, reluctant face but willing voice of the Bulls franchise, boldly steps to the mic and clears his throat.

As the DJ cues Butler's hand-picked song, "Nobody Knows," originally performed by R&B artist August Alsina, you could hear a pin drop on the sticky tile floor. Until tonight, only a privileged few have heard this three-time All-Star's full-throated vocals, which he's been known to share without remorse, and rarely with invitation, in locker rooms, on team flights and even on the hardwood. "Jimmy actually isn't a bad singer," Butler's fellow Olympic gold-medalist Harrison Barnes recently texted me. "But his playlist needs some work."

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18874969/why-jimmy-butler-chicago-bulls-loves-singing-karaoke

The Eater Chicago

How many karaoke bars are affiliated with Ogre from "Revenge of the Nerds" AND have a free trolley to and from Wrigley Field? This Florida-imported island-themed karaoke bar has a neon sign inside proclaiming it "Chicago's best karaoke bar," and it gets raucous many nights due to the sugary drink-fueled masses and karaoke that brings out the best of the amateur voices in Lakeview.

https://chicago.eater.com/maps/best-karaoke-bars-chicago

WGN Chicago Scene

Time Out Chicago

You can sing karaoke every night of the year (except for Christmas) at Trader Todd's, a Lakeview staple that's usually filled with birthday parties, coworkers and improv troupes taking turns on the mic. Order a tiki cocktail from the bar and feel free to shout along to every single rendition of "Sweet Caroline."

https://www.timeout.com/chicago/bars/best-karaoke-bars-in-chicago

The Daily Northwestern

Trader Todd’s in Lakeview has its own flair. The bar employs a karaoke host that guides programming, typically experienced in stand up and radio work, according to general manager William Gold. 

They also adhere to a tropical theme, decorating in what Ceko described as “Jimmy Buffett” style and offering large fishbowl cocktails. 

The bar attracts a young crowd, and most performers at Trader Todd’s sing crowd-pleasing popular songs. Ceko said “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “Don’t Stop Believin’” are regulars. Though, Gold said the bar plays many genres — Lady Gaga could follow a Frank Sinatra cover.

https://dailynorthwestern.com/2023/04/23/ae/wondering-where-to-go-this-weekend-heres-our-review-of-the-best-karaoke-bars-in-chicago/

The Chicagoist

Trader Todd's is a karaoke place that often serves the Cubs post-game crowd, so they get a lot of crooners coming through. When we asked the bartenders what song got the best responses, they answered unanimously: "Bohemian Rhapsody. Without a doubt." They said it's always a hit because most people know the words and the performer can add their own goofy spin to it, making it the perfect song to mask less-than-Adele level vocals. If Freddie Mercury isn't your style, they also recommend basically every song by the Backstreet Boys.

https://chicagoist.com/2016/04/21/the_top_songs_to_butcher_at_chicago.php

The Thrillist

What you're getting: Pain Killer with fresh-squeezed orange juice, pineapple, cream of coconut, nutmeg, dark rum, and overproof rum
Grab a mic and a tropical drink (or three) at this Wrigleyville Tiki-themed karaoke/sports bar. If you’re walking in stone-cold sober, a potent Pain Killer will be your go-to choice for the evening, so you can stomach the inevitable sloppy bachelorette party renditions of “Don’t Stop Believin’” or the guy trolling the bar with Nickelback songs. Plus, it’ll be fresh-squeezed and rum-infused liquid courage for your turn on stage.

https://www.thrillist.com/drink/chicago/best-chicago-tiki-bars

The Chicago Tribune

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/03/01/chicagos-best-karaoke-bars/

WGN Around Town

The Infatuation

You do not know all of the words to “Chelsea Dagger”—let’s face it, no one does. But no karaoke spot is perhaps better prepared for riffing through 75% of the unofficial Blackhawks theme song than Trader Todd’s, a Lakeview spot with pizzas, a list of strong tiki drinks, and 30,000 songs to consider. So get your best “Duh duh duh duh, duh duh duh, duh duh duh duh duh duh duh” ready, because Trader Todd’s is the type of neighborhood sh*tshow that loves a party more than vocal quality.

https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/reviews/trader-todds