The Common Interest

Best karaōke in town! DJ’s know their clientele personally and that’s awesome! Love this place.

I go to this bar often, from the south side of town. I chose to host my birthday party there, and wanted to reserve one of the private rooms, however have had to cancel, because of the massive flooding we have had in Texas. When I made the reservation, I was told I had 24 hours before the event to change it. It’s 4 days before the event, and with most my guests coming from Houston and San Antonio, I couldn’t possibly put my guests at risk.
Toni answered the phone, and when I told her I wanted to cancel due to the weather, she cackled at me and mocked me saying «really? You want to cancel for Saturday because of the weather? You must not have lived in Texas long!!! The weather changes all the time.» I didn’t say anything and politely thanked her when said it was canceled.
I’m kinda pissed. Cause not only do I get to spend my birthday alone due to the weather, but my friends and family are being evacuated out of their homes. And to have this person laugh at me? Yeah that’s pretty insensitive. Both Houston and Austin have had high water rescues and it’s supposed to carry on through the week.
You have lost a customer in me. I won’t return to a place who mocks customers instead of being concerned for people’s safety.

On my first visit I didn’t notice any of the negatives some other reviewers mentioned. True you may have to wait longer than other places to sing, but this is a karaōke bar, everyone wants to sing. I went on a Thursday night when it was about half full and got to sing 3 times in about 3.5 hours. I would imagine when a karaōke bar is packed on a Saturday night with 60 people who want to sing… do the math at 3 – 4 minutes a song. I didn’t notice anyone ever cutting in line and the staff was all very attentive and nice to talk to. Drinks were good and well priced. Free popcorn was awesome. Some very talented people sing here and some not so. But the crowd is great about clapping and cheering if you really try. I will be going back for sure.
If you want to be going up on stage every 30 minutes I recommend the karaōke night at a sports bar where not everyone is there to sing.

I’m addicted to this place. The staff members are great fun, and the regulars are great entertainment.

Awesome bar with friendly staff and large food menu. Bartenders are very quick to get your order. Large bar area and plenty of table room. Karaōke is top notch. I love this bar!

I had a blast here last night. The drinks were great, service was great and karaōke was great. Definitely will be returning ^_^

Great, fun bar with great monitors for watching sports. Shana the bartender is fantastic!

SEAHAWKS bar! Love getting together with my Seattle fans — the owners are very supportive and it’s always a great experience watching games there. Get there early if you want a seat!

Plus side-​Drinks specials, big room or private rooms, good song selections and fun crowds. The only thing I’d change is the temperature. Sure singing and drinking can work up a sweat but can we please get more fans?! Those private rooms can get festively warm. Other than that I had a great time.

Nice bartenders
Great karaōke
Decent nibbles
Good rotation
What else does one need?
I’m a regular

Bachelorette party here was perfect! We had an awesome server (Madison) who rocked separate tabs with no problem despite our drunk selves. She was super sweet and seriously seemed enthusiastic about taking care of us. If you’ve ever worked service industry, you know Bach parties are the worst, but she made us feel welcome and special. We had a GREAT time!!!

My favorite neighborhood bar!!! the bartenders know you, they always remember my drink! I maybe go there once or twice a month. Karaōke is awesome, and if you are lucky enough to witness the amazingness that is Grudge Judy, you’re in for a treat! I always take friends from out of town here for a less «city vibe» Austin experience.

I guess ya’ll got my comment deleted, so now I’m just going to give you a one. You’re DJ was a joke and wouldn’t let anyone sing that wasn’t his friend. Some of us got one song, while his buddies were singing the entire Britney Spears catalog. Whatever.

Good karaōke. Surprisingly decent food and drinks. On a weekend, we did wait about an hour for a private room, but that wait was softened by the amazing crooning of the other patrons on the public stage. Why was everyone so GOOD?!
I’m pretty sure my No Doubt rendition earned me a place in the karaōke hall of fame.
The employees helped eagerly with any issues. I can’t really speak to the song selection because, honestly, I just drank jello and tried to suppress my urge to sing kpop songs.
Great venue. Invite me back and I will certainly accept the offer.

It’s a divey karoake bar. I dig it. I mean I paid $ 3.25 for a Dos XX! I can’t remember the last time that happened, but it was happy hour. And then I ordered a venison-​pork jalapeño cheese sausage wrap for $ 5 with sweet potato fries (which I’m sure were an extra charge, but I never saw the bill) and it was mother.effin.amazing. Not sure if the food was HH pricing or not.
The bartender looked like she had been in the service industry for a while, but she was attentive and fast. The cliental was a mixture of older folks, thirty something’s, and pretty sure a few on drugs. I say that because a random lady walked up to me and my bff asking if we wanted to talk about sex… and then initiated a group hug. Somehow it seemed to work with the atmosphere of the place.
I think I saw karoake rooms in the back. I had a hard time finding the restrooms. But I have to say I had a great experience. The next time I need a neighborhood bar on the north side, I’m def heading to Common Interest. I had two beers and dinner for less than 20 bucks. That’s a steal.

I’m not very well-​versed as far a karaōke bars go, but this place set the bar pretty high. Me and a few coworkers popped in after our holiday party in December and we had an amazing time. Friendly staff, busy crowd but a great atmosphere.
Decently priced drinks, great karaōke system, from audio to the monitor screens with the lyrics, it’s an all around fun place.
I’d definitely recommend going in groups.

Pros: I heard their private booth karaōke is good. Their karaōke in general seems great, at least from what I saw on a Saturday night.
Cons: I ordered fries. Paid $ 4 and got what amounted to a small handful of fried frozen french fries that were supposed to be seasoned (according to the waitress) but were not. On top of that, I got charged $ 1.00 total for a side of honey mustard and mayo, both of which amounted to *maybe* 1.5 tablespoons. What the… is all I have to say. Have never seen that on a bill before in my life.
Their beer was also expensive. About $ 6-​$ 7 for a Blue Moon.
If you like karaōke, I guess it’s a good place. Just don’t waste your money on the sub par, overpriced food.

We got winners, we got losers
Chainsmokers (Beth D.) and boozers (Alyssa B… okay, still Beth D.)
And we got yuppies (Um…, not really) we got bikers (mostly wannabes)
We got thirsty hitchhikers (definitely)
And the girls next door (don’t even try to) dress up like movie stars.
Hmm, hmmm, hmmm, I love this bar.
We got cowboys (yep.) We got truckers (nope)
Broken-​hearted fools, and suckers (everyone of us)
And we got huslters (players) and fighters (pissed of girlfriends of said players)
Early birds, and all-​nighters
And the veterans talk about their battle scars (thank you for your service.)
Hmm, hmmm, hmmm, I love this bar.
I love this bar
It’s my kinda place (karaōke dive)
Just walkin through the door puts a big smile on my face (and a shot of Fireball)
It ain’t too far (just right there on Burnet, N of Anderson), come as you are (at least wearing pants.)
Hmm, hmmm hmmmm, I love this bar.
I could go on, but I really dislike Toby Keith and this is hurting my soul a little bit. But if that’s your cup of tea, good on ya — come sing a few. It’s down to earth, the bartenders are sweet, the regulars are rowdy, the beer is cheap, the food is greasy, and the entertainment is off-​pitch and way too excited.
Watch out for the Courtney W & Beth D. Dixie Chicks duet, though. It’s killer.
I do love this bar.

Wow… what a difference a day or two makes. The first time I came here, it was on a Friday evening, and though I’d initially say this isn’t really my kind of bar (aside from the karaōke, it’s got a real «suburban sports bar» vibe), we had a blast. Really, when it comes to karaōke, if there’s a good selection of songs, good sound, and the alcohol is flowing, you’re gonna have a good time. There were varying degrees of talent among the singers that night, but there were very few that were truly bad, and a few of the «bar stars» were actually pretty impressive.
My friends have made a night of this on Mondays, and though I haven’t been able to attend yet, I know they always have a great time.
Yesterday, we tried a Tuesday night, and found that at Common Interest, all days are not created equal. Tuesday is Elite night, or League night, but don’t be mistaken… there’s nothing Elite or Professional about Tuesday evenings at CI. What this really means is that if you’re not part of the league, you can’t sing til after 10, and instead must endure some of the WORST karaōke you’ll ever hear, accompanied by cheesy props and truly embarrassing performances. It was so bad that instead of just ignoring what was going on and hanging with my friends, I got increasingly antsy until I just had to excuse myself because my will to live was being rapidly drained by the atrocities occurring on stage. It started out being «so bad it’s kind of funny» to just so bad you can hardly bear it.
I’ve also found that the service at C.I. generally sucks… they are really busy, and unless you get up to get a drink from the bar, you’re going to wait a long time for refills or to place a food order. When you’re busy having fun and singing with your friends, it’s fine, but on a Tuesday night, you’re gonna need those drinks refilled FAST and REGULARLY.
This place gets three stars because it’s got a good song selection, a professional karaōke set up (including DJ/​Host), and most nights, you’ll have a decent time, even if the service sucks and the place itself is kinda gross.

Common Interest, FUCK YEAH!
Coming again, to save the motherfucking day, yeah!
Common Interest, FUCK YEAH!
Singing is the only way, yeah!
Boredom, your game is through ’cause now you have to answer to
Common Interest, FUCK YEAH!
So lick my butt and suck on my balls
Common Interest, FUCK YEAH!
What are you going to do when we come for you now,
it’s the dream that we all share; it’s the hope for tomorrow.
Journey, FUCK YEAH!
Cheap beers, FUCK YEAH!
Jello shots, FUCK YEAH!
High fives, FUCK YEAH!
DJ PJ, FUCK YEAH!
Rebecca Black, FUCK YEAH!
Good singers, FUCK YEAH!
Bad singers, FUCK YEAH!
FUCK YEAH!
Cheese fries, FUCK YEAH!
Waitresses, FUCK YEAH!
Dancing, FUCK YEAH!
Britney Spears, FUCK YEAH!
Duets, FUCK YEAH!
Katy Perry, FUCK YEAH!
Yellowcard, FUCK YEAH!
Fun., FUCK YEAH!
Classics, FUCK YEAH!
Laughter, FUCK YEAH!
Don’t Stop Believin’, FUCK YEAH!
Call Me, Maybe, FUCK YEAH!
One hit wonders, FUCK YEAH!
80s music, FUCK YEAH!
Country music, FUCK YEAH!
Rap music, FUCK YEAH!
Hip-​hop, FUCK YEAH!
Pop songs, FUCK YEAH!
I’m on a Boat, FUCK YEAH!
I Just Had Sex, FUCK YEAH!
Patrick, FUCK YOU.
Encouragement.
Song books.
No, seriously, you really can sing America, FUCK YEAH! here and I god damn guarantee it will bring the house down. Just make sure you’ve got your flippie-​floppies, pretend you’re on a boat, and get your ass up on that stage and sing.