Karaoke comes to Camas: Family-friendly karaoke venue offers private suites, food and drink menuSubscriber Exclusive

For nearly 20 years, Dianna and John Gray dreamed of owning their own business. The Vancouver residents’ entrepreneurial vision finally came into focus in 2023 after Dianna attended a karaoke event in Las Vegas, an experience that solidified her lingering passion for live music performance.

“I’ve always loved music, but it wasn’t until I was in my 20s that I sang in front of other people and realized how much fun it actually was,” she said. “It was terrifying, yes, the first few times I did it. But … I can go up there and tune everything out and sing my favorite song, and it just makes me feel good.”

The Grays hope to bring that feeling to Clark County with their new business, Drop The Mic, which will open in downtown Camas on Friday, becoming Clark County’s first family-friendly karaoke venue.

“The whole purpose of this place is to bring people together to do karaoke on their time and not wait until 8 or 9 p.m. in a bar setting,” Dianna Gray said. “I want to give them a way to have a cool, fun experience with their friends and their family, and be able to sing their favorite song and enjoy their experience.”

Drop The Mic’s main stage will be open to people of all ages, while its two private suites — housed in Salud! Wine Bar’s former speakeasy — will serve as a 21-and-over lounge when not reserved for private use. The venue also features a full food and drink menu.

“We are, I believe, the first venue in Clark County offering private karaoke rooms,” Dianna Gray said. “We will be adding some additional suites probably sometime early next year, and we’re going to use the demand from the community to decide what size those suites need to be.”

Dianna Gray said that she hopes to “teach patrons how to be supportive of the karaoke singers” in an effort to “elevate the vibe of the space.”

“I want every singer to feel celebrated,” Dianna Gray said. “One of our focus areas is, ‘You don’t have to sing like a rock star to feel like one.’ For people who have enough courage to get up and sing in front of others, that’s enough for me. We’re really looking to create an immersive, engaged experience.”

Drop The Mic is located at 224 N.E. Third Ave., Camas, and open from 4 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.