Up until recently, I’ve been a devout Boombox enthusiast – I’ve literally sung its praises far and wide on a weekly basis for the majority of my late 20’s and early 30’s, as well as have converted many a soul to become loyal patrons. However, recent experiences and specifically an interaction with one bartender, has – point, blank, period– ruined the entire experience for me, although I do still go, begrudgingly, as there are no real comparably ideal alternatives in the downtown Providence area.
Again, since being a regular, I have years of experience there, realizing that it always took so much longer for me to get served at the bar than most, whenever a particular bartender was on, and additionally, whenever I’ve paid for multiple songs, my songs were consistently pushed further down the list than others who also had multiple selections. I needed to know this wasn’t all in my head. So I wrote on my bill after a (now expected) night of waiting at the bar, missing the merriment, that I wish I didn't have to wait so long to receive service.
The next time I arrived, I experienced a first – that bartender came directly to me when I arrived, but not to take my order, but instead to confront my note, which they called passive aggressive, and told me that I was indeed being intentionally ignored because of “the way I was waiting” – which was standing at the bar with my karaoke request and debit card in hand. Without getting into a subjective argument about if it’s rude or not, regardless of my intention, as someone who’s worked in industry myself for years, the actually passive aggressive approach, is refusing to treat a customer the same as others, or let them know why they are receiving substandard service, yet taking their money and gratuitous tip for nearing a half decade, and only letting them know the reason upon their expressed complaint. Upon expressing this, the bartender told me I was gaslighting them.
I came into the establishment to sing Usher songs, and now I’m getting psychoanalyzed by tik tok therapy buzz words. I just stepped away, took a breather, and proceeded with my night.
Before I decided to write this review, I wanted to confirm my other theory, that I was not only getting slower drink service, but that my songs were taking longer to make the list. So the other night, I invited a friend, and showed up an hour earlier, there was no list, and put my songs in before he even arrived. He then arrived an hour later, to a full list, 1.5 hours long, and put 3 songs on – my last song ended up being placed as the song right before his last song. I was made to wait the entire night to get to my last song, and of course thus also accrued a larger drink tab. But I had proof that it wasn’t all in my head, and confirmation that this establishment, or at least this one bartender, very much plays favorites, which has very costly repercussions for any and all who like karaoke, at the only place downtown where you can, and do not act to this bartender's accord.
Important to note is, my experience with other bartenders and every member of Boombox's staff, from the door to bruv who sweeps the floor (well, at least until this post) has been stellar, warm, welcoming and camaraderie-ous, always.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 3
Efrel Lopez Jr
Love everything!!! Up to the drinks to the serves. Demi was super friendly and helpful and we appreciate everything in this in this establishment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Katherine Eckert Clemons
So fun!! We had such a blast.
Theresa Truong
Drinks are great, bartender is wonderful, music selection has become limited
Andrew Machado
Awful experience. Disgusting, large, waitress was rude and never brought our drinks. Starting arguments like she think she’s right, so stupid, was singing during her work time instead of serving us and I bought a room for two hours, charged me for drinks I never received, was more fixated on her friends than serving and intentionally creating a riff with my group. Received barely any service. Waste of our night, don’t go here.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Sam Nelson
Does not honor reservations! Me and 9 friends booked a room for the night got there 20 minutes EARLY and we’re denied the space! Staff was rude and unwelcoming, if you want set in stone plans for the night this is not the place
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Amanda Oliveira
a friend reserved a private room for a work event and our guests got there ON. TIME. after our reservation, we were told to pay an “early fee” for entering our private room too early (we did not) that was 40$ and they charged her TWICE (80$ total). not the first time i’ve heard negative comment about this place from friends. got to experience it myself and should’ve listened! NEVER again.
Mallory Flowers
Does not honor reservations. Waited hours past our reserved time. Kept checking in with staff and we're laughed at for wanting the room we reserved, even tho it sat empty. don't waste your time
TreDan R\u0026B Superhero
Had my birthday booked in a private room, then we made our way to the public area Love this place its always good to hear people singing and having a blast with no conflict breaking out at the end
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Emma Beckers
Didn't have the food, but the drinks were good. Karaoke is the main draw. The healsonic system is okay, but you may have trouble pairing your phone, but there is a tablet that can be used instead. Song selection was excellent and it was impressive how well sound proofed the party rooms were. Overall a great time!
Fun place. They have good service. There is a big room where everyone sings together and private party rooms
Abimbola Johnson
Did this for friend's birthday party. Had soo much fun! Love how you can rent a private room and bring food. Make sure if you book you bring everything you need, plates, forks, napkins. They only provide the room. My only issue was the bartender girl very rude and unhelpful. I didn't let it spoil the fun too much but it's worth noting. Would've gave 5 stars if not for the bartender rudeness
Jose carlos Pires
Everything was perfect until I asked to sing a Spanish song. When that happened. They got a little uncomfortable and they closed early and told me the bar was closed. Even though I was drinking cranberry Juice all night. God bless America and all the ships at C have a good night. I’m not gonna be going back.
Rita Stone
Karaoke Lounge was very much a group singing experience!
Journee
This was the worst experience I’ve ever had. The manager was extremely unprofessional and none of the staff were on the same page. They only have the top karaoke songs and exclude many artists.
Up until recently, I’ve been a devout Boombox enthusiast – I’ve literally sung its praises far and wide on a weekly basis for the majority of my late 20’s and early 30’s, as well as have converted many a soul to become loyal patrons. However, recent experiences and specifically an interaction with one bartender, has – point, blank, period– ruined the entire experience for me, although I do still go, begrudgingly, as there are no real comparably ideal alternatives in the downtown Providence area.
Again, since being a regular, I have years of experience there, realizing that it always took so much longer for me to get served at the bar than most, whenever a particular bartender was on, and additionally, whenever I’ve paid for multiple songs, my songs were consistently pushed further down the list than others who also had multiple selections. I needed to know this wasn’t all in my head. So I wrote on my bill after a (now expected) night of waiting at the bar, missing the merriment, that I wish I didn't have to wait so long to receive service.
The next time I arrived, I experienced a first – that bartender came directly to me when I arrived, but not to take my order, but instead to confront my note, which they called passive aggressive, and told me that I was indeed being intentionally ignored because of “the way I was waiting” – which was standing at the bar with my karaoke request and debit card in hand. Without getting into a subjective argument about if it’s rude or not, regardless of my intention, as someone who’s worked in industry myself for years, the actually passive aggressive approach, is refusing to treat a customer the same as others, or let them know why they are receiving substandard service, yet taking their money and gratuitous tip for nearing a half decade, and only letting them know the reason upon their expressed complaint. Upon expressing this, the bartender told me I was gaslighting them.
I came into the establishment to sing Usher songs, and now I’m getting psychoanalyzed by tik tok therapy buzz words. I just stepped away, took a breather, and proceeded with my night.
Before I decided to write this review, I wanted to confirm my other theory, that I was not only getting slower drink service, but that my songs were taking longer to make the list. So the other night, I invited a friend, and showed up an hour earlier, there was no list, and put my songs in before he even arrived. He then arrived an hour later, to a full list, 1.5 hours long, and put 3 songs on – my last song ended up being placed as the song right before his last song. I was made to wait the entire night to get to my last song, and of course thus also accrued a larger drink tab. But I had proof that it wasn’t all in my head, and confirmation that this establishment, or at least this one bartender, very much plays favorites, which has very costly repercussions for any and all who like karaoke, at the only place downtown where you can, and do not act to this bartender's accord.
Important to note is, my experience with other bartenders and every member of Boombox's staff, from the door to bruv who sweeps the floor (well, at least until this post) has been stellar, warm, welcoming and camaraderie-ous, always.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 3
Love everything!!! Up to the drinks to the serves. Demi was super friendly and helpful and we appreciate everything in this in this establishment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So fun!! We had such a blast.
Drinks are great, bartender is wonderful, music selection has become limited
Awful experience. Disgusting, large, waitress was rude and never brought our drinks. Starting arguments like she think she’s right, so stupid, was singing during her work time instead of serving us and I bought a room for two hours, charged me for drinks I never received, was more fixated on her friends than serving and intentionally creating a riff with my group.
Received barely any service. Waste of our night, don’t go here.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Does not honor reservations! Me and 9 friends booked a room for the night got there 20 minutes EARLY and we’re denied the space! Staff was rude and unwelcoming, if you want set in stone plans for the night this is not the place
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
a friend reserved a private room for a work event and our guests got there ON. TIME. after our reservation, we were told to pay an “early fee” for entering our private room too early (we did not) that was 40$ and they charged her TWICE (80$ total). not the first time i’ve heard negative comment about this place from friends. got to experience it myself and should’ve listened! NEVER again.
Does not honor reservations. Waited hours past our reserved time. Kept checking in with staff and we're laughed at for wanting the room we reserved, even tho it sat empty. don't waste your time
Had my birthday booked in a private room, then we made our way to the public area Love this place its always good to hear people singing and having a blast with no conflict breaking out at the end
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Didn't have the food, but the drinks were good. Karaoke is the main draw. The healsonic system is okay, but you may have trouble pairing your phone, but there is a tablet that can be used instead. Song selection was excellent and it was impressive how well sound proofed the party rooms were. Overall a great time!
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Fun place. They have good service. There is a big room where everyone sings together and private party rooms
Did this for friend's birthday party. Had soo much fun! Love how you can rent a private room and bring food. Make sure if you book you bring everything you need, plates, forks, napkins. They only provide the room. My only issue was the bartender girl very rude and unhelpful. I didn't let it spoil the fun too much but it's worth noting. Would've gave 5 stars if not for the bartender rudeness
Everything was perfect until I asked to sing a Spanish song. When that happened. They got a little uncomfortable and they closed early and told me the bar was closed. Even though I was drinking cranberry Juice all night. God bless America and all the ships at C have a good night. I’m not gonna be going back.
Karaoke Lounge was very much a group singing experience!
This was the worst experience I’ve ever had. The manager was extremely unprofessional and none of the staff were on the same page. They only have the top karaoke songs and exclude many artists.
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