Karaoke Manekineko’s Big Exit
Yesterday, on May 19, the Japanese karaoke sensation Karaoke Manekineko hit the Facebook pulse to announce the closing of its eight Singapore outlets. The last song was played on May 5, and the company wrapped up with a heartfelt thank‑you to all who sang along.
Where the Party was Played
- Orchard Cineleisure
- Scape
- Bugis+
- Marina Square
- Lucky Chinatown
- Tampines 1
- Safra Punggol
- Safra Jurong
With a sentence that feels like a classic karaoke hook, the chain declared, “It’s not goodbye, it’s until we meet again.”
Why the “Final Stop”?
While the company didn’t spill the beans, we do know that they’ve been walking a tightrope of subsidies and cost‑cutting since last July. In a press note to The Straits Times, CEO Akira Zama said that the business might face a “much more severe situation” if support stalls.
Customers have been shouting in the comments, begging for a quick encore to return to karaoke bliss.
Industry‑Wide Smart‑Moves
It’s not just Manekineko that’s been feeling the heat. The local chain Teo Heng KTV has gone through a similar roller‑coaster: a brief exit in January, a comeback, and a creative pivot—renting out rooms as workspaces.
As nightclubs and karaoke spots are still stuck on a pilot‑reopening pause, everyone’s trying to juggle a mix of tradition and new hustle.
