Tom Jones would love the place. You can sing your heart out to a friendly crowd who can dance around you as you belt out your song. The Encore Karaoke Lounge is a gay-owned business opened in May by Mark Aloiau with his life-partner, Chris Wilder. The location, 1550 California Street on the 2nd floor, uphill from Polk Street past the Lumiere movie theater, was Tango Tango. Mark is Chinese, a transplant from Hawaii. Chris, originally from England, moved to Texas, where he grew up, at three years old. Both arrived in the city in 1977. In 1982, the two gay men met at a small private party. They bonded immediately as life partners, now going on 24 years.

The bar's current hours are 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week. There are plans soon to begin open mic at 4 p.m. on Saturdays, since there is the set-up for plugging in a keyboard or acoustic guitar. Check their website www.encorekaraokesf.com for current information. Their legal capacity is 99.

Classic popular, country, show tunes and more are in a newly installed, state-of-the-art acoustic system. An updating of successful musical releases from the last year and a half will soon be completed.

Last November, the place was remodeled. Now painted in desert sand, with the low ceiling textured in the same warm color, durable wall-to-wall carpeting was added in the split-level floor plan, stopping short of the parquet-wood dance floor in the back that accommodates 20-30 dancers, with the singer's karaoke station and microphone in the middle. Up to four microphones can be made available. Behind this is the KJ station.

The 14 squared-off round tables each have four extremely comfortable cushioned armchairs. Fourteen cushioned bar-chairs, with armrests, surround the bar proper. There are five viewing screens showing the running song lyrics, with a smaller one for singers. Smoking and beverages are allowed on their second-floor balcony. A special ventilation system was recently installed, preventing secondary smoke from re-entering the establishment.

The bar opens its space for booked private parties during hours when the business is closed to the public. Corporations, law firms and social groups bring their own food while Encore supplies buffet tables and food warmers. Beverage choices are through the bar. The Gap has used the place for one of their company parties. Other groups, often much smaller, book tables during normal business hours for birthday and graduation parties. There are no guaranteed bookings after 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Karaoke is not really for pick-up. Groups of friends typically come to have a good time. Encore has a mixed clientele: gays, lesbians, straights and cross-dressers. With Basille, a Vietnamese, on bar Monday and Tuesday, and Sin Chiang, a Chinese from Taiwan, covering Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, patrons who enjoy being treated in a friendly manner by good-looking Asian guys definitely like the bar.

Karaoke is assured seven days a week, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Their well liquor is supplied by Frank-Lin Distributors. The quality is above norm. On Monday nights, Encore has a Hawaiian mixer, starting by 10 p.m., for those relocated to the Bay Area from the Pacific Islands.

Groups of gay-oriented women are comfortable in the place. The bar staff will not tolerate women being hit on, whatsoever. Customers have brought grandparents to this relaxed, friendly and comfortable environment. By the end of January, new lighting will be installed, allowing DJs to mix lights and sound to set a variable mood, complementing each song and performance.

Bravo, Encore! Bravissimo! You might not find your favorite opera here. But in every other way, the Encore Karaoke Lounge has real class.

Encore Karaoke Lounge, 1550 California St., 2nd floor. Open 6 p.m.-2 a.m. every day. Info: (415) 775-0442, www.encorekaraokesf.com.