The third season of American Idol is coming to a close but at a San Francisco restaurant guests can create their own show stopping performance -- minus criticism from Simon.

Silver Clouds restaurant in the Marina District provides nightly karaoke and a full bar to aspiring singers practicing for a possible future career and intoxicated bar hoppers just looking to get a laugh.

“We’re here for a good time,” said Bryant Tong, a venture capitalist who sang “I've Got You Under My Skin” by Frank Sinatra. “I brought some friends here who were having problems -- she used to work for me,” he said as he pointed to a woman who was perusing the song list.

Most of the singers on a recent Tuesday night were not very good but all got a loud applause and a few acts even got some members of the audience dancing. At Silver Clouds, it’s not about getting scouted by a record label; it’s about having fun with friends, and the drink specials seem to help.

The Sauza tequila promotional team was in full force, handing out shot glass necklaces and discount coupons for margaritas and tequila shooters. But if tequila makes you quiver, opt for one of the 25 beers on tap, including Fat Tire, Stella Artois, Bass and New Castle priced at $5 a pint.

Ki Hy Komin, the bartender on most nights, was constantly running from either side of the oversized bar getting drinks to the crowd of about 30 people and pouring the booze for the cocktail servers. The servers also run the karaoke, taking song requests from the crowd and introducing each singer.

“Friday and Saturday nights are ridiculous here,” said Pete Harvey, a regular at Silver Clouds. “I’m usually a Friday or Saturday night type of guy but if you show up after 10:00 [p.m.] there’s no chance of getting on stage.”

If there is a large crowd, there might not be a front row spot left to see the performances, but don’t worry, each act is televised live on the big screen with the Silver Clouds Idol emblem in the corner. And if you want to take a smoke break on the patio or get a snack from the vending machine, you can still see the show through the sliding glass doors.

It is OK to be a spectator. According to most of the singers at Silver Clouds, people don’t end up getting on stage until their second time at the karaoke bar. Agatha Lennert, an SF State student majoring in international relations, said it was her first time at Silver Clouds. She said she definitely wasn’t getting on stage but her friends who had been to the bar before probably would.

Ray Inez wasn’t afraid to sing on stage. He used to be a regular performer at the bar before he moved. The former San Francisco resident, who now lives in Hawaii, was back in town to see his girlfriend, a cocktail waitress at Silver Clouds. He got a few hollers from the crowd as he sang “Oh Girl” by the Chilights while he sat on a chair on stage. When Inez was finished with his rendition, he retreated to the bar and looked through the song list to find one for his next performance.

Come ready to sing on a full stomach. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m. But if you get there early be sure to check out the large selection of appetizers, including crab cakes, bell peppers served with a lemon butter sauce [$5.95], steamed artichokes with a pesto sauce, croutons and parmesan cheese [$7.95] and steamed mussels with wine herbs, garlic and sweet basil [$7.95].

Silver Clouds restaurant and cocktail lounge is located at 1994 Lombard at Webster Street. It is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. but karaoke starts at 9:30 p.m.