Monster Ronson's Ichiban Karaoke Bar

Ron Rineck used to be a punk. But then he discovered his love of karaoke and travelled to full houses all over Europe with is karaoke machine. Today, well, he’s still a punk – and also the manager of Monster Ronson's Ichiban Karaoke Bar, right next to the Warschauer Strasse tube station in Berlin-Friedrichshain.

The bar opened in 2004 on Lübbener Strasse in Kreuzberg, but then moved to Friedrichshain two years later. “I really wanted to stay in Kreuzberg, as the bar was so tucked away”, says Ron. He lives in Friedrichshain, but he’s a Kreuzberger at heart. “But the bar was just too popular”, he says, “and there were problems with the neighbours because of the noise. Here we can be as loud as we want.” Next to Monster Ronson's Ichiban Karaoke Bar there is an erotic cinema and an ink cartridge shop, while the floor above is home to the Library for Research on Educational History. The ideal neighbours, as now the bar can even hold concerts on a night without any complaints. Ron thinks this is great, but the most important thing to him are the karaoke cabins. He thinks it’s fantastic when people come out of the cabins and they’re happy. Singing out loud is simply great fun: “It’s just like therapy” And that’s just what we need.
Ron feels that there are plenty of things wrong in today’s world. “It gets me down every day – the poverty, the gulf between rich and poor. People don’t treat each other nicely.” Karaoke makes the world a better place. “Yeah, it really does!” Ron is firmly convinced of it. At Monster Ronson's Ichiban Karaoke Bar people come together and sing their hearts out. They’re practising for the revolution! Ron gives a wink and chants: “Sing together, fight the power!” Then he gives a little laugh and adds in a quiet voice: “Many people are dreaming of the revolution, I hope.”

Until that day, he’ll continue running his karaoke bar. Or not, as the case may be. “If I wasn’t having fun anymore, I’d simply stop and do something else.” But it certainly doesn’t look like he’ll tire of it any time soon. “Every day is different: I’m always doing different jobs. Sometimes I help out behind the bar, sometimes I help set up and tidy away, I look after the guests ...” Ron can see himself still working in the karaoke bar fifteen years from now. It has its benefits, after all: “Free drink, free party, get my rent paid”. The only downside: “When I’m finished here with work and want to party, all the clubs have shut up shop already.”