The only time I was in a Japanese bar that had a karaoke stage, I was in the company of professors from the sister school of the university where I was teaching at the time. (My student days occurred just before karaoke caught on.) This was apparently their regular place, and it was one of those buildings that seem to be an apartment building for bars. (You know what I mean, those buildings that have floors and floors of little bars.)

Some bars are like private clubs and are accessible only to members or guests of members.