London's new Cable Car-aoke experience offers a unique twist on karaoke, taking place 90 metres above the Thames in a decorated cable car. The experience, which runs on Thursday and Friday evenings, allows groups of up to six people to enjoy a private karaoke session with drinks and panoramic views during a 40-minute journey.
A Novel Way to See London
I tried the newly opened karaoke experience, and it is the most unusual way I have ever done karaoke. The experience begins with a brief demonstration on how to use the karaoke device and microphones. One tip I would offer anyone doing it is to have a list of songs written down beforehand, so you can quickly search to see if they are available and get straight into singing.
Our list consisted of the obligatory classics such as Dancing Queen, Mr Brightside and a bit of Cher. There was plenty of music to choose from, with around 2,000 songs available and searchable by category. We were then offered a welcome drink, with a choice of cocktails or mocktails to take aboard, and after boarding the cabin we were ready to begin.
The Journey and the Views
The experience takes guests on two return crossings of the cable car route. This means the doors open as they normally would at each terminal, so people will be able to hear you singing (badly, in our case). But the experience was a lot of fun. The views were fantastic and, if you go during golden hour, you can enjoy incredible sights across the London skyline.
As we floated above the Thames, we were treated to views of The O2, Canary Wharf, the Thames Barrier, Greenwich and the Royal Docks. On a clear evening you may even be able to spot landmarks including St Paul's Cathedral and The Gherkin in the distance. Ultimately, it is not the longest karaoke experience I have ever done, but it is certainly the most novel.
What You Need to Know
The Cable Car-aoke experience runs from the Greenwich Peninsula Terminal, next to The O2 and North Greenwich Underground station, making it easy to reach on the Jubilee line. Each private cabin comes equipped with microphones, party lighting, a premium sound system and access to a playlist featuring around 2,000 songs.
Prices start from £69 per cabin for two people, rising to £89 for three people and from £109 for groups of four to six people. For those who simply want to ride the cable car, standard one-way tickets cost £7 for adults and £3.50 for children, while return tickets start from £13.50 for adults and £6.75 for children.
