Dürty Nelly’s — a Charlottesville staple beloved by locals, undergraduates and graduate students alike — is best known for its eclectic atmosphere and signature Wednesday karaoke nights. Tucked behind Jefferson Park Avenue, the charming wood-panneled pub and deli is often decked out for the nearest holiday or simply adorned with University gear and colorful lights.
Each Wednesday from around 7 p.m. to midnight, the bar fills with an assorted cast of newcomers and regulars eagerly awaiting their turn to take the stage. Karaoke night offers an opportunity for members of the Charlottesville community of different generations and walks of life to come together for a night of shared drinks and music. The crowd is lively and often rowdy, congregating around the cozy stage near the back of the pub to sing along to the current performer’s selection, and concluding each song with a round of cheers. Others head past the stage towards darts and pinball, or sit down to enjoy some casual bites.
Resident host Theocles Herrin has been leading karaoke nights at Dürty Nelly’s for the past five years. Primarily a Richmond-based singer-songwriter performing ballads and pop songs, Herrin steps back to lend the stage to the Charlottesville community in these late sessions.
Herrin brings the energy each week, running an exciting and interactive show that consistently offers a fresh experience. He announces each singer and on-deck participant with a humorous style, bringing a lively energy to the bar. Attendees can add their song of choice to the queue by scanning the QR code on the television — but getting there early is essential. The waiting list fills up fast, with participants swarming the stage in anticipation of their turn to step up to the microphone.
With millions of musical options to choose from, selecting the perfect karaoke song is a precise art. Herrin recommends keeping it short and sweet in order to keep the crowd engaged.
“Once it goes past that four minute mark, there's very few songs that people are still invested in. So if you care about making the crowd on your side, keep it short. Keep it high energy,” Herrin said. “Of course, the number one karaoke song you should sing is whatever you feel like singing.”
Fourth-year College student Maya Papadopoulos remarked that one doesn’t have to be a gifted singer to put on a great show. According to Papadopoulos, no matter what song is chosen, it's the energy and stage presence that make a karaoke performance engage an audience.
“I feel like you really got to put your soul into it. I feel like you have to be emotionally invested and actually try and have fun,” Papadopulous said.
Popular choices at Dürty Nelly’s include classic karaoke hits “Mr. Brightside” by the Killers and “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood as well as University fan favorite “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse — although the mix of song choices is as varied as the audience themselves.
Law student Jacob Zahalsky visited the bar for the latest event in, according to him, a law school tradition titled “Feb Club” — a series of parties for every day in February. He opted to sing “Irgendwie, irgendwo, irgendwann” by German band Nena.
“I didn't know the words. I have a couple of German friends. They went up there and I sang it with them,” Zahalsky said.
Fourth-year Engineering student Sarah Francis recently tried her hand at Dürty Nelly’s karaoke for the first time, choosing to sing “Gotta Go My Own Way” from the “High School Musical” soundtrack as a duet with her friend.
“This is my first time at Dürty Nelly’s, and I feel like growing up “High School Musical” was always a fun duo kind of thing and this was my chance to sing it for karaoke,” Francis said. “I don't have to be good. It's just a fun thing to do with your friends.”
Francis added some words of advice for anyone reluctant to grab the microphone, encouraging hesitant participants to conquer their stage fright and relax in the low-pressure party environment.
“Just go for it. You'll have so much fun. No one's paying attention, except for your friends. Everyone is singing along with you,” Francis said.
While student singers remain loyal to the venue during their time at the University, inevitable graduations frequently rotate the main cast of performing faces. Herrin, after hosting these nights for half a decade, described how he has seen groups of regulars come and go throughout the years. This pattern has brought mixed emotions for the host.
“I'll see them all the time for however long they're here, and then eventually, inevitably, at some point, they'll say ‘we're done,’” Herrin said. “They're graduating, and they come here for one last hurrah. That kind of changeover is a little bittersweet.”
A musician himself, Herrin occasionally takes a break from his hosting duties to grace the Dürty Nelly’s stage or jump on the tables for surprise performances of Michael Buble’s “Feeling Good.” His love for the karaoke community is evident in the energy he brings to the pub week after week, and he expressed gratitude for Dürty Nelly’s and the opportunity to bring people together through music and the shared experience of karaoke.
“Giving other people a platform to sing — it's very fun,” Herrin said. “I spend a lot of my time performing for others, and this is kind of a chance to get people who don't normally perform music their time to shine and be a superstar for a little bit.”
Read More
Bruno Mars’ ‘The Romantic’ is hardly a romantic album
By Leila Mohajer | 23 hours ago“The Romantic” rarely feels profound enough to be considered the romantic album it claims to be
On Repeat: A soundtrack for spring break
By Alena Touve | 3 days agoWhatever spring break has in store, these songs can be the first step towards a playlist that will complete a vacation routine
Decades Arcade brings retro gaming to new generations in an accessible way
By Carter Horner | 5 days agoIt stands out among other popular spots downtown for its nostalgic appeal and rare game collection
