Chinese Karaoke Finds Following in Iowa City

If there was any doubt about the influence of the enrolling at the University of Iowa, it will be erased by a quick walk around No. 18 Karaoke.

Although located on Gilbert Street, smack dab in the middle of downtown Iowa City, much of its musical selections are Chinese, the machines the songs play on are specially imported from China, the instructions to run the machines are in Chinese, the warning not to bring alcohol into the rooms is in Chinese, the gift cards are in Chinese.

In other words, the Chinese population is big enough now that No. 18 is designed to operate successfully as a business entirely on the patronage of Chinese speakers.

"We are focusing on Chinese people now because we are in the beginning of our business," explained Chenyin Liu, 23, an electical engineering student at the University of Iowa and manager of No. 18. "I think everyone in China loves karaoke, and there are more Chinese people coming here all the time.

"We want them to know that we have the best karaoke in Iowa City."

And when he says karaoke he means a different kind than the karaoke in America more commonly associated with embarassing Tiny Dancer performances at neighborhood bars. The karaoke he means is the style preferred in cities all over China, such as his hometown of Ma'anshan, where friends can rent out private rooms at an establishment and perform pop songs together while enjoying beverages and sitting on comfortable furniture.

"It's good for people who are maybe a little shy, and when they can use the private rooms they can have that freedom to enjoy themselves with friends," Liu said.

In another difference, the private rooms come with multiple microphones, as well as a selection of tambourines and maracas so multiple people can participate at once.

The name No. 18 is meant to reflect the fact that many of the 18-year-old freshmen students from China who come to Iowa City will be looking for the karaoke and boba tea they enjoy in their home country, and the business is designed to provide both of these things.

Liu said the business has done better than expected since opening in January. And part of the reason? To the surprise of No. 18's founders, English speakers are also descending on No. 18 to enjoy its boba tea and American karaoke selections. This may be due to the fact that No. 18 is another rarity, a downtown destination open after midnight that doesn't serve alcohol or alcohol into the private rooms.

If there are any language barriers, the staff is ready to assist with the operations of the machines, as well as to deliver boba tea orders to the rooms.

"I think it's great," Liu said. "Americans like this place very much."

Liu said No. 18's founder Hanjie Gu, 23, a University of Iowa graduate who since moved back to China, has also opened another branch of No. 18 in Champaign, Illinois to cater to the University of Illinois student population.

Liu said the dream is that this style of karaoke will spread all over the country. For now, the No. 18 operaters are hoping to add on to their success by increasing their variety of boba tea flavors and hosting a karaoke competition this semester.

For the rest of the summer No. 18 will operate under its summer hours of 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Liu said due to the fact that No. 18 is often busy these nights with a limited number of rooms, it is wise to call ahead to reserve a room at 319-333-1265.