The signage outside mentions a few of the Sacramento dive bar’s key amenities like sandwiches, beer, wine, pool and cocktails, but conspicuously absent is the clear calling card of Mother Lode, karaoke. As the evening unfolded, sets of locals slowly trickled into the bar during its pre-karaoke hours, lightly filling the space and predictably picking up in pace as karaoke hour arrived. The setup is the most legit dive bar karaoke arrangement this reviewer has ever seen, a dedicated both with dual microphones, string lighting and ample screens for lyrics.
Rex is the dedicated karaoke host, even live streaming each night’s festivities through a Facebook page under the moniker Hitsville Productions. There are karaoke hosts who fade into the background and even some that annoy, but Rex is a master at his craft, using a Rex-only microphone to get things going, chime in on duets with regulars and otherwise keep the show moving. Distributed screens throughout Mother Lode feature scrolling song lyrics, encouraging group participation. The effect is a community-driven, locals-heavy, crooning neighborhood karaoke vibe that breaks the mold of most dive bar karaoke nights.
And locals do more than just stream in for karaoke. This reviewer, a stranger from out of town, was offered home-baked cookies while sitting at the bar from one local couple. An hour or so later, I was offered fresh-made peanut brittle from an entirely different set of locals. While digging into each delicacy, a military veteran and a pair of friends settled down at the bar next to me, eager to sing karaoke. More comfortable at the bar, Rex was kind enough to bring a microphone over to allow said veteran to sing the song of his choice from where he sat. He did just that, the assembled crowd ate it up, as did I, and the community vibe strengthened bit by bit in that same fashion throughout the night.