The Lounge
at Island Sound Studios
Honolulu’s most Intimate Live Music and Entertainment Venue,
offering Specialty Cocktails, Dinner & Small Bites
Located in the Legendary Island Sound Studios in Hawaii Kai, Oahu
Welcome!
Experience an unforgettable evening at The Lounge at Island Sound Studios & The Velvet Monkey. Two venues, two bars, one gourmet chef, and four unique shows featuring four different artists, lined up every Saturday evening in one location at the Hawaii Kai Marina (next to Longs). Nestled within a world-class recording studio, our venues offer a unique music experience unlike anywhere else.
Ticket holders can enhance & extend their evening or start early by purchasing a ticket for a second act! Begin in The Lounge and then make your way upstairs to our speakeasy, The Velvet Monkey, or the other way around. Additional tickets are available for purchase on our website.
The Venues
The Lounge – 2 Shows
Doors open at 5pm
1st Show: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
2nd Show: 8:30pm - 10:00pm
Doors close at Midnight
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The Lounge
The Velvet Monkey – 2 Shows
Doors open at 5:30pm
1st Show: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
2nd Show: 8:30pm - 10:00pm
Doors close at Midnight
More info
The Velvet Monkey
Food and Beverages
Our gourmet pupus and dinner menu and handcrafted cocktail menu are available in both venues. Our contactless QR ordering system will make it easy and quick to place your food and drink orders before each show starts, ensuring a seamless experience. Our friendly staff will be on hand to help throughout the night in both venues—just give them a wave if you need anything!
We kindly request a two-drink minimum per guest, along with a food purchase, to help support and sustain our food and beverage service. Your patronage ensures we can continue delivering exceptional dining and entertainment experiences.
After the Shows End
The Lounge and The Velvet Monkey bars are open to the public every Saturday night from 10pm to midnight, welcoming you to join us after the shows!
Jazz & Acoustic Speakeasy
"The Velvet Monkey," an exclusive speakeasy with 20 seats. Nestled upstairs from The Lounge via a secret entrance, this cozy venue combines speakeasy charm with live Jazz & Acoustic Sets every Saturday night. Savor handcrafted cocktails and gourmet bites.
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🎤 We're hosting a Karaoke Contest! 🎶
TO LOOK OUT FOR FUTURE CONTEST DATES
Think you’ve got what it takes to own the mic at a world-class venue? Join us for an unforgettable night of music, fun, and friendly competition at The Lounge at Island Sound Studios!
What You Can Win:
✨ Compete for amazing prizes, including:
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T-shirts, hats, stickers
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Tickets to future events
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Discounts on food and drinks
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Winner qualifies for a chance at the Ultimate Grand Prize: A recording session at the Legendary Island Sound Studios!
The night’s winner will secure a spot as a semi-finalist to compete in future rounds for the Grand Prize!
🍹 We kindly request a two-drink minimum per guest, along with a food purchase, to help support and sustain our food and beverage service. Your patronage ensures we can continue delivering exceptional dining and entertainment experiences.
How to Sign Up:
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During open karaoke, scan the QR code at your table or on the screen to access the song catalog and sign up to sing.
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If you want to compete in the Contest, fill out a Contest Entry Slip with your name and chosen song and submit it to the MC. Slots are limited to 5-7 contestants, so sign up early!
Judging Criteria:
Our panel of industry pros will judge contestants based on:
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Vocal ability
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Stage presence
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Creativity
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Crowd engagement
Eligibility:
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Must be 21+ to participate and attend.
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Solo performances or duos only for the contest (groups allowed during open karaoke).
Don’t miss this chance to sing your heart out, win big, and maybe even kickstart your journey to stardom! 🎶 Limited seating available—arrive early to secure your spot!
Terms & Conditions for Karaoke Night Contest:
Eligibility:
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Participants must be 21+ due to venue licensing.
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Solo or duo performances only for the contest (groups allowed during open karaoke).
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Contestants must sign up using the Contest Entry Slip provided at the event.
Contest Format:
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Open karaoke begins at 5:00 PM and ends at 6:30 PM.
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The contest starts at 6:30 PM with 5-7 contestants performing one song each.
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Each contestant may only compete with one song per night.
Judging & Prizes:
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Performances will be judged by a panel of three industry professionals.
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Judging criteria include vocal ability, stage presence, creativity, and crowd engagement.
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Cheering and applause are encouraged, but judges make the final decision.
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The Top 2 Contestants receive: At the venue’s discretion, merchandise, event tickets, and discounts on food and drinks.
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The Top Contestant (Winner): Secures a spot as a semi-finalist for the Grand Prize.
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The Grand Prize: A (3)-hour recording session in Studio A of Island Sound Studios.
Grand Prize Details:
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The recording session must be scheduled with the Studio Manager based on availability.
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Specific session terms (e.g., duration, included services) will be determined during scheduling.
Additional Rules:
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Song selection must adhere to appropriate content guidelines. The venue reserves the right to reject unsuitable songs.
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Disruptive behavior will result in immediate disqualification and removal from the venue.
Media & Promotion:
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Photos and videos may be captured during the event and shared on social media. By participating, attendees grant permission for promotional use.
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The karaoke app’s built-in photo feature may also be used for attendee engagement.
General Disclaimer:
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The rules and contest format are subject to change at the sole discretion of the venue.
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The contest may be modified, rescheduled, or terminated at any time without prior notice.
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The venue reserves the right to disqualify any participant for non-compliance with the rules, inappropriate behavior, or actions deemed harmful to the event’s integrity.
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By participating, contestants agree to abide by all decisions made by the judges and venue staff, which are final and binding.
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Prizes, including the Grand Prize, are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or other alternatives unless explicitly stated.
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Contestants are solely responsible for ensuring their availability for any scheduled contest rounds or prize fulfillment.
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Any disputes arising from participation in the contest will be resolved solely at the discretion of the venue and Island Sound Studios.
For further questions or clarifications, please contact our staff during the event.
Chef Karol
Born and raised in Europe as the youngest of seven siblings, Chef Karol's culinary journey began amidst the chaos of a bustling household. His fondest memories revolve around the dinner table, where his family connected over delicious meals prepared by his mother, often welcoming neighbors and friends to share in the joy.
Inspired by the warmth and camaraderie of these gatherings, Chef Karol's fascination with food blossomed. As he traveled across Europe and ventured through Thailand, he embraced diverse flavors and culinary traditions, eventually finding himself in the vibrant community of the Florida Keys.
It was there, amidst the beauty of the Keys, that Chef Karol's path took an unexpected turn with the news of his mother's passing. Reflecting on a childhood promise made to move to Honolulu, he sensed a calling to honor her memory and explore new horizons.
Upon arriving in Honolulu, Chef Karol was captivated by the rich tapestry of cultures and customs. From sampling unique varieties of poke to savoring his first taste of Hawaiian cuisine at a traditional luau, he discovered a deep sense of belonging and the spirit of aloha.
Determined to pay homage to his mother's legacy and embrace the aloha spirit, Chef Karol embarked on a mission to share his passion for food infused with love and warmth. With each dish he creates at The Lounge at Island Sound Studios, Chef Karol invites guests to experience the essence of aloha and the joy of communal dining, just as he did in his childhood home.
View our Food Menu
