For many westerners, a KTV is just a simple karaoke bar offering an evening of singing, dancing and drinking, yet the culture of KTV clubs is more complex. These establishments are split into two very distinct sectors: one offering a good night out… and one offering a really good night out. 🍆
Adult KTVs offer plenty of erotic entertainment and have become an embedded part of Asian culture. Most commonly found in China and used as a way for businessmen to build strong ‘guanxi’, KTVs are as popular in Asia as strip clubs are in the West.
This guide will walk you through what these venues are, how they work, what to expect as a newbie, and how the KTV experience varies across Asia, from Vietnam’s shady “cuddle karaoke” dens to Japan’s high-end hostess lounges.
What is a KTV Club?
KTVs, or Karaoke Television, are a style of club where the entertainment is centred around a lively evening of singing, drinking and having fun with a group of friends, family or business partners.
Unlike a Western karaoke bar where you basically end up in one big room full of strangers, KTV clubs in Asia (specifically in China) offer private rooms for hire where guests can host their own parties. They typically include hostesses (usually young women) who entertain male guests deep into the night.
Side note: They are also extremely popular in Hong Kong.
Often paid for by the hour, you can find clubs with small rooms for up to 6 people or larger halls where you can bring along 20 or more guests.
They go by different names – hostess bars, VIP karaoke clubs, room salons, “karaoke om,” etc. – but the general idea is the same: customers pay not just for drinks and songs, but for female company and flirtation.
The hostesses light your cigarettes, laugh at your off-key singing, pour your drinks, and keep the party mood going. In some places, that’s where it officially ends; in others, it’s just foreplay for more intimate services after the final song.
Ordinary KTVs vs Adult KTVs
There are two distinct kinds of KTV clubs around Asia: those that are family-friendly and those that aren’t.
Trust us, you really don’t want to balls this one up!
Both kinds of venues operate in a similar way to hostess bars of Japan and will offer the company of a selection of ladies to help make your evening get off to a party atmosphere. Though not compulsory, many people enjoy having the services of a professional hostess to help boost their numbers and make things livelier.
KTV clubs are popular with all kinds of people, from making great venues for a first date to being an ideal way for business colleagues to unwind.
Sort of a rent-a-companion, women here are paid to keep their guests entertained, and this can include everything from joining in with the singing, to dancing and partying.
But in the case of an adult KTV, it might also include providing intimate services off the menu.
KTV clubs are most popular in China (although not so much with the younger generation), where there is a distinct culture of how these businesses operate. Used by wealthy businessmen to entertain clients, the women who work in these establishments are attractive and are fully trained in their role as professional entertainment companions.
Competition to work for the most reputable clubs is high, and so too are standards.
Whilst women who work in KTV clubs may well be paid to continue entertaining guests after they have left the venue, they are not prostitutes but skilled hostesses who are hand-picked by the best clubs.
Some of the best KTV clubs in the world are members venues with VIP guests including celebrities, top businessmen & entrepreneurs, socialites and ambassadors.
What Does a Typical Club Look Like?
From the outside, many KTV clubs look like nightclubs or casinos and are often lit up with neon lights and plenty of dazzling bulbs.
More suited to Las Vegas than their surroundings, most will have a grand lobby that often looks like an old-school movie theatre. Guests who have reserved ahead for large groups or who are well-paying regulars are usually met at the door by the manager, who is accompanied by a line-up of girls.
As you arrive, you will be shown to either the room you have booked or to an available space; usually, you are taken by one of the lead girls.
The room will definitely contain some comfortable seating and tables as well as a few TVs and/or large screen TVs along with a computer that has all of the karaoke songs pre-programmed in.
You will also find mics and speakers with adjustable volume control. Most modern KTVs in larger cities will also have some additional high-tech equipment such as AC and mood lighting (flashing lights, disco ball, etc.).
More often than not, one of the girls will wheel in a kind of shopping cart which is loaded up with snacks and alcohol; sort of like a bigger version of a hotel mini-bar, you will obviously be charged for what you use but it will be well stocked with everything you need for your evening including liquor, mixers and cups. Other clubs may also offer a cigarette/cigar cart as well, but remember these (again) will be more expensive here.
Larger rooms in some clubs may even have a manned bar in each room as well as private bathroom facilities.
How Do KTV Clubs Work?
So, what happens in a KTV club? And what can you expect in one of the ‘adult’ clubs?
Here’s the typical play-by-play:
Private Rooms & Lineups
You (and your buddies or colleagues) are escorted to a private karaoke room with comfy sofas, big TV screens, and sound system.
Soon after, a mama-san (house manager) or floor captain presents a lineup of girls – sometimes filing into your room, sometimes viewed through a glass panel.
It’s showtime: the hostesses might introduce themselves or simply stand smiling while you “shop” with your eyes. You then pick your companion for the night (or a couple of them, budget permitting). In places like Manila, this grand showcase is called a “show-up”, with girls eagerly calling “choose me!”.
In a Korean room salon, groups of 4–10 girls might rotate through until everyone in your party finds one they like. Once you have been shown around the room’s facilities and started to get comfortable with a few drinks, a selection of hostesses will be brought in for you and your guests to choose from.
Usually, they will all be wearing a similar ‘uniform’ with some KTVS having a themed outfit. Most times, the dress will be a standard, slinky traditional Chinese dress with one shoulder bare and a slit up one leg.
Usually, the ladies will be holding numbers (or these may be pinned to their dresses), and these are often colour-coded for billing purposes. They vary by club, but Yellow may be the lowest prices and Red the most expensive (for instance), so do be aware of the difference if you are paying the bill.
Once the hostesses have been selected, they will come and join the group for the duration of the evening. Oftentimes, they will change into more comfortable clothing at some point in the evening.
Drinks, Songs & Flirtation
Once the selections are made, the door closes and the party in your room begins.
Expect a lot of toasting (your hostess will keep your glass topped up), off-key duet performances, and drinking games to break the ice. Hostesses are there to entertain and pamper – they’ll clap for your terrible singing, laugh at jokes, and might feed you fruit or light your cigar. In Vietnamese slang this is karaoke ôm – literally “cuddle karaoke” – with ladies snuggling up to make you feel like a rockstar, even if you sing like a dying cat.
Don’t be surprised if there’s some friendly touching and teasing (a stolen kiss or a hostess dancing suggestively); it’s all part of the experience, though how far things go depends on the club’s rules (and your luck, and/or your wallet!).
The Raft of Extras…
Adult KTVs aren’t cheap.
Many of the women in them are on commission, and, oh boy, does it show.
Typically, you’ll pay an hourly room charge (which might be waived if you hit a minimum spend on drinks). Drinks are often pricey and marked up – expect to buy by the bottle or rounds of lady drinks (drinks for the hostesses).
The hostesses usually earn commission on drinks and tips, so they will encourage you to keep the orders flowing.
It’s easy to lose track of how many $10 beers or $100 whisky bottles you’ve gone through in the haze of karaoke fun. In China, for example, a mid-range KTV might run ¥100–400 per hour for the room, but upscale clubs can rack up bills in the thousands with premium liquor and “appearance fees” for top girls.
Always verify the pricing upfront – menu cards or a quick check with the manager can save you from a heart attack when the check arrives.
Tipping and Bar Fines
Aside from the official bill, it’s customary to tip your hostess for her time (unless a service charge is already included). In many KTVs, if you want private time with the girl after karaoke, you’ll pay a bar fine to the establishment to essentially “check her out” for the night.
This bar fine compensates the club for losing her services (since she’d usually be making the venue money by drinking with you or other customers). Think of it as unlocking the “next level.”
Once paid, anything beyond – typically sexual services – is a personal arrangement between you and her, negotiated privately. Some venues have in-house short-time rooms or partnerships with nearby hotels; in others, you simply meet the hostess after closing time. Important: the bar fine only covers her leaving with you.
You will still owe the lady an agreed-upon amount for her companionship later, whether it’s for a midnight snack or “dessert.” You know the drill.
Expected Services
It goes without saying that not every KTV guarantees sex.
In many cases, what you’re paying for in the club is companionship and a fun time.
Full sexual services are often off-site as described, and entirely consensual/negotiated.
High-end clubs (like elite room salons in Korea or cabaret clubs in Japan) sometimes prohibit outright solicitation – the most you might get is a steamy make-out or some heavy petting in a dark corner.
Lower-end or more openly sexual KTVs (common in the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.) basically function as a prelude to sex – it’s understood the night ends with the customer and hostess pairing off.
Always feel out the situation: if a hostess says she can’t leave with you or seems uncomfortable with advances, you’re gonna need to respect that boundary. Some clubs truly offer “singing only” fun with maybe a little flirtation, while others are essentially brothels with karaoke machines.
When in doubt, observe what the locals do or ask the manager subtly about “take-out” options. Fact is, the clubs that offer this arrangement are going to make it known to you at some point, since it’s part of their business model, right?
Touchy Touchy
Depending on the mood of the club and how ‘adult’ the entertainment is, you may find some of the girls getting a bit more friendly with the guests.
In China, this is very different to the strip clubs of North America and Europe, where touching is not allowed, and you will find that the girls will get pretty hands-on with their guests.
Girls may strip for you, perform lap dances and even just sit on your lap, lean back and encourage you to explore their bodies.
These extras are chargeable, so if you are paying the bill, then always be sure to find out how much she is charging first.
However, this kind of physical contact should always be initiated by the girls themselves as management is always on hand to deal with coarse behaviour. If you are intending to invite your hostess to your room, then it pays to be a gentleman rather than a drunken slob.
Some KTV clubs also have their own complex of private rooms where you can continue your adult fun on the premises, or you can arrange to take a girl back to your hotel.
It is important to note that not all KTV girls will have sex with guests or perform any sexual services in the club or after the party is over. Many will and are open to negotiation, but this is down to the individuals themselves and how you have conducted yourself within the club. Manners are very important to any woman, but are particularly important in Asia, especially China.
And that’s it really.
The Ladies of a KTV Club
As already mentioned, the ladies who work in a KTV club are in competition with one another, and demand for the finest-looking and best-educated girls is high. Some of the top KTV clubs pay very handsomely, and there is a real incentive to provide top-quality service.
The best clubs are usually the most expensive, but the higher the charges you pay, the more likely you are to get the very best experience with some of the most beautiful and well-trained women in the business.
Firstly, they need to have the right looks and the right age for the establishment. Many clubs employ women in their 20s, but some specialise in offering the companionship services of more mature ladies in their 30s and 40s.
All will typically come from a middle- or higher-class background and be well-educated, with those working in the larger cities often having a good level of English. Not all clubs cater well for foreigners, so it is worth checking this out in advance.
Often, models, students or white collar workers, women must undergo a series of interviews. In some cities, and in the better clubs, there are reports that there are up to five different meetings before any woman is employed at a KTV establishment.
As well as assessing their looks, physique and personality, employers are looking for cultured, educated and skilful women who can perform roleplay for their guests. Lastly, the nature of the job means that having a good tolerance for alcohol is a must!
Once a girl has been appointed to a club, she has to undertake some training. This involves learning the tricks of the trade in how to keep men entertained whilst keeping them drinking. There is an etiquette to how to behave which must be learned and some skills to acquire.
When training is complete, girls will be categorised into a price range depending on how highly they will be prized by guests. Prices are based on appearance, level of skill and experience.
Demand for the top hostesses is high, and they can command some pretty exceptional rates for their company and not just for the extras after they leave the club with you. It’s reported that some of the top earners at the most popular and elite clubs can earn as much as $1,000 per night.
However, this is more the exception than the rule, but most will be earning a pretty decent wage. So much so that the girls who work for the best clubs do pay a fee to the management to work there.
It is not uncommon for girls who are seeking a partner to work at KTVS, as for some, it is a good way to meet successful businessmen and middle managers.
How Many Girls Are Available?
Depending on the size of the venue, you can find a staff of a few dozen to a few hundred ladies working in a single KTV. Think about it this way: each of the private rooms is hosting a party where at least two or three ladies will be entertaining. If a KTV has ten such party rooms, then guests will need at least a choice of 30-50 ladies.
In rural areas, the choice is limited, but in metropolises like Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, you may have the choice from up to 600 women.
How Much Does a KTV Cost?
There are lots of separate charges for enjoying a night out in a KTV, and this breaks down into:
- Cost for the room hire
- Cost for the company
- Cost for food and drinks
- Cost for extras
- Cost for personal services
Prices vary massively depending on where you are in Asia and how extravagant you are with the entertainment. We’ve covered some rough pricing in our breakdown by country below.
Some girls will also ask for tips and extra payments when you are alone, but the price you have agreed on should be what you pay.
KTV Culture Across Asia
Asian nightlife is anything but one-size-fits-all – each destination has its own twist on the karaoke club game. Here’s the lowdown:
China
In China, KTV is practically a way of life – every city block seems to have a karaoke centre.
But the spectrum ranges from wholesome family KTV parlours to ultra-exclusive clubs where the karaoke is secondary to the female company. Chinese “nightclub KTVs” (夜总会) are typically lavish: think neon-lit hallways, chandelier-studded rooms, and a small army of hostesses in evening dresses.
Here, the KTV culture dovetails with the concept of the “hostess club”.
The routine: you and your group get seated in a plush room, and hostesses come in for a lineup. A manager might even introduce them like an emcee. You choose your favourites, and the ones not chosen file out to await the next group. The chosen ladies sit down, and the night kicks off with dice games, Ganbei! (bottoms-up) toasts, and off-key singing of Mandopop hits.
It’s common for Chinese businessmen to measure a night’s success by how many empty bottles of Cognac are on the table and how many girls are squeezed onto the couch.
Officially, sex is not part of the in-room service – KTV rooms aren’t bedrooms, after all. Many customers are content to drink and carouse with pretty girls, and maybe engage in some PG-13 touching (a hand on a thigh, a peck on the cheek). However, if a client wants to take it further, the usual practice is to make a private arrangement to meet the hostess later (often through the manager or mama-san).
In some clubs, there’s a designated closing time when the girls are free to go off with patrons – typically a “bar fine” or tip is paid to facilitate this. Big spenders in China are legendary – it’s not unheard of for a group to spend tens of thousands of yuan in one decadent KTV night if ordering top-shelf liquor and multiple hostesses.
(No wonder that being a KTV hostess can be lucratively “depraved” work; they earn a reputation as “xiaojie” (working girls) even though many insist they only provide entertainment, not sex.
For foreigners, China’s KTV scene can be hit or miss. If you’re invited by Chinese colleagues or friends, you’ll likely be treated like an honoured guest in the KTV – just follow their lead (and be prepared to drink a lot).
If you’re a solo foreigner, gaining entry to a KTV with hostesses might be tricky unless you have local help; some high-end places are membership-only or wary of outsiders. Language will be a barrier – few hostesses speak fluent English – but in bigger cities like Shanghai or Shenzhen, you might find a handful who know some English or are even foreign themselves (there’s a niche of Russian or African hostesses in certain cities).
Legality is a concern, as Chinese authorities do crack down on prostitution. KTVs survive via bribes and guanxi (connections), but occasionally a raid will happen. If the place suddenly flips on the lights and girls vanish, just sit tight – you’re usually just asked to leave, worst case.
Cheeky tip: In China, a lot revolves around face (mianzi). Hosting a karaoke party with expensive booze and beautiful girls gives face to the host. As a foreigner, you might be expected to play the good guest – sing a famous Chinese song if you can (even a mangled “Peng You” will get applause).
Vietnam
Further south, Vietnam’s adult karaoke scene is infamous.
Locals call these places “karaoke ôm,” meaning “cuddle karaoke,” for good reason – hostesses here are expected to get up close and personal.
A typical Vietnamese KTV (found in cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, etc.) involves a private room, groups of local men singing Vietnamese pop, and young women who will literally cling to you. They’ll hug, sit in your lap, and let you get handsy (within limits) while you sing. It’s all fun and games, but make no mistake: prostitution is officially illegal in Vietnam, so any actual sexual activity is on the down-low.
Usually, if a customer wants more than just karaoke cuddles, he’ll arrange to meet the girl after hours or take her to a nearby hotel, often by paying a “tip” or bar fine to the venue.
For Vietnamese businessmen, a KTV night is a common team-bonding or client-entertaining ritual. Foreigners can partake, but you’ll rarely just wander into one casually – most are local-oriented and don’t advertise to tourists.
In fact, some expats warn that it’s best for a foreigner to avoid random karaoke bars unless invited. Scams have occurred where unsuspecting tourists get dragged into a shady karaoke lounge by friendly “students” or taxi drivers, only to face a huge bill or even threats. On the flip side, there are high-end KTV clubs in Saigon that cater to East Asian expats (Koreans, Japanese, Chinese are common clients).
In those, you might find more transparency: girls typically get around 300,000–500,000₫ (Vietnamese dong, ~$15–$20) just for sitting and singing for an hour or two, and about $100–$300 extra if they spend the night with you.
Taiwan
Taiwan’s adult KTV scene is similar to China’s, albeit smaller scale and somewhat more low-key.
Here they’re often called “hostess KTVs” or just hostess bars. You’ll find them in Taipei and other major cities, sometimes tucked behind unassuming facades. A significant number of hostesses are actually from other countries (especially Vietnam, Thailand, China, Indonesia).
These foreign hostesses often work on the sly (overstaying visas or through broker arrangements), because they’ll accept lower pay than local Taiwanese girls, making it cheaper for the bar and the customer. So don’t be surprised if your “Taiwanese” karaoke girl greets you with “xin chào” or “sawadee” – a lot of Southeast Asian women have joined the trade in Taiwan.
Pricing in Taiwan’s KTVs is moderate: a session might cost a few thousand New Taiwan Dollars (NT$). One local might brag that going to a countryside KTV with Vietnamese hostesses costs only a quarter of what a fancy Taipei club with locals would run. For example, you might spend NT$3,000–5,000 (roughly $100–$170 USD) for a night in a small-town KTV, versus NT$10,000+ in Taipei’s glitzier venues.
If you’re in Taipei and curious, ask a taxi driver or look for the term “茶室” (tea house) which is often a euphemism for hostess bar. Some venues in areas like Linsen North Road or around Zhongshan have Japanese-oriented KTV clubs (a legacy of business travelers from Japan) – these are pricey but staff might speak some Japanese and a bit of English.
And if a police raid happens, just remember the Mandarin phrase: “Wǒ zhǐ shì lái chàng gē de!” (“I’m only here to sing!”). It might just get a laugh and a wave-off!
Thailand
Thailand is world-famous for adult nightlife – go-go bars, beer bars, massage parlors – but it also has its share of karaoke clubs.
In Thai, you might hear them called “kay-la-o-kay” (Thai pronunciation of karaoke) or just karaoke bars, often signposted with neon Thai script and maybe “Karaoke” in English. These are widespread, from Bangkok’s city streets to rural highways. What sets Thailand apart is a generally easy-going, party vibe – Thai hostesses, often called “coyote girls” or “song girls,” are known to be fun-loving and good sports.
In terms of services, Thai karaoke bars often double as brothels in a looser sense. You typically can “bar fine” your hostess, just like in go-go bars, meaning pay a fee to take her out of the bar. She’ll then go with you to your hotel or a short-time motel nearby. Many karaoke bars in Thailand have attached short-time rooms.
Prices are usually negotiable with the girl, but to give a sense: a bar fine might be around ฿500–฿1000 (Thai baht, ~$15–$30) and the girl’s own fee for full service might be ฿2,000–฿3,000 ($60–$90) for a short time, more if overnight.
Bangkok and Phuket will be higher, whereas an upcountry karaoke in Isaan might be much cheaper (and also considerably less glitzy!).
South Korea
South Korea’s adult entertainment scene is famously veiled behind euphemisms and closed doors, and the KTV equivalent here is the “room salon” (룸살롱) or “booking club.”
These are perhaps the most exclusive and pricey form of KTV in Asia. A Korean room salon operates much like described in our KTV play-by-play, but often on steroids. Firstly, you don’t usually go alone – it’s a group experience, often for businessmen entertaining clients or celebrating a deal. You get a large private room with couches, and there’s usually a karaoke setup and sometimes even live music support (some have an in-house DJ or instruments).
The madame (mama-san) brings in a lineup of stunning girls in evening gowns – usually 4 to 10 at a time – and you choose, with rounds of selection until everyone’s happy. The door shuts, and the rest of the night is a whirlwind of drinking games, karaoke, and mild debauchery. Koreans have a game called “Baskin Robbins 31,” trust me, after enough soju, it becomes hysterical with penalties.
In ultra-elite places, only some girls might provide extras, and the top-tier ones might only go if they personally fancy the guy (these are the so-called “10% girls” – the top 10% who look like models and often won’t sleep with customers for money unless under exceptional circumstances. The costs are steep: a night in a room salon could easily cost ₩500,000 to ₩1,000,000 (Korean won, $400–$800) or more per person after you tally the bottle prices and the tip to the hostess.
Taking a girl out will typically incur a big fee – often arranged as a separate thing through the madame or a phone call after you leave. It’s not unusual for a Korean businessman to drop several grand on an all-night party and then another few hundred for a rendezvous at a hotel with the hostess.
For foreign visitors, South Korean room salons are notoriously hard to access. Many explicitly don’t allow non-Koreans. If you do get in, following Korean drinking etiquette (like pouring drinks for others with two hands, etc.) will impress your hosts.
Philippines
The KTV scene in the Philippines is one of the most accessible and foreigner-friendly.
Here, KTVs are sometimes called “videoke bars” or “KTV lounges”, and they are ubiquitous in cities like Manila, Angeles, Cebu, etc. Walk down certain streets in Manila (like Makati’s P. Burgos or Malate’s Adriatico area) and you’ll see neon signs for KTV clubs with names like “Fireclub KTV” or “Galaxy”.
One big difference in the Philippines is language – nearly everyone speaks decent English. That means you can actually converse and joke with your hostess, making the experience that much more personal. Filipina hostesses (often called GROs – Guest Relations Officers, a wonderfully bureaucratic euphemism) are known for being sweet and affectionate, sometimes genuinely so.
It’s not all pretend; some customers do end up in pseudo-relationships with KTV girls.
However, if you’re just in it for fun, it’s very straightforward to arrange sexual services. Almost all these bars have an established bar fine system.
You pay the bar a fixed fee (could be around ₱3000–₱5000, $60–$100, depending on the venue’s class) to take the girl out – this is the club’s cut. Then you negotiate with the girl for her personal fee (often similar range as the bar fine, though in some cases the bar fine already includes the lady’s payment – ask to be sure).
Japan
Japan is the birthplace of karaoke, but when it comes to adult-oriented KTV experiences, it’s actually the tamer end of the spectrum.
Here, the analog is the hostess club (or “snack bar” for smaller establishments). In Tokyo’s Kabukichō district or Osaka’s Dōtonbori, you’ll find countless clubs where you pay to sit with young women who pour drinks and chat. They will sing karaoke with you if the club has a machine (many do, as singing is a big part of the fun).
However, open sexual contact is usually off-limits on site – Japanese adult establishments operate under strict laws and a cultural code of subtlety.
A hostess might agree to meet you on her day off (this is often called an “after” or “douhan” if it’s semi-official dating). Sometimes there’s an extra “サービス” (service) for top clients, but generally hostess clubs themselves do not sell sex – they sell the possibility and the illusion.
Ready To Explore?
For any readers who are interested in exploring these venues, we’d suggest that foreigner accessibility is highest in Southeast Asia, whereas North Asia (China, Korea, Japan) can be more insular without connections or language skills.
Prices vary widely: you might spend the cost of a beer in one country and the cost of a Birkin bag in another for a similar night out.
You can check our city and country guides for a much closer look at the KTV scene in each country and region.
Enjoy the night – and don’t stop believin’! 😉
