If you want to have the best night in NYC Cafe Wha is a must. We have been going there for years and whenever we have guests come in from out of town we always bring them to Cafe Wha. The entertainment is beyond amazing!!!! The staff and servers are all so nice. They have great finger foods and the drinks were great. I suggest to make reservations as they seem to sell out every night. The band is so great that you don't want the night to end!!!! read more

Wow what a venue for great music and/or dancing for a night out w the girls to start or end your night. The truffle fries r excellent and sangria is solid. Come for the music if you don't mind crowds and loud but amazing jam sessions. read more

This place has been around forever and is still a fun spot to see the entertaining Cafe Wha band with a small space to dance. You reserve ahead and a cover of $12 pp is added to the check with minimum order. The service was very attentive and food was satisfactory (fries/ quesadilla/ that sort). read more

You will have a great time on a Wednesday night. The houseband is upbeat and fun to sing along with. It's a decent size band with excellent vocals and impressive covers from every genre. I danced in my seat and stood next to my table for a little 2 stepping in high heels. The Mexican Dynamite was a delicious cocktail. Sorry, but the service is terrible. The food is terrible. I really wanted a refund for the salmon salad because the salmon was frozen. Only the busboy came to check on me, but the waiter doesn't follow up when the busboy tells him a customer has a frozen fish filet. I've never seen a waiter try so hard to ignore me. Awkward. I eventually had to call for the waiter, and the manager shinned a flashlight on the plate and said "yeah". Yeah wha? Don't order food. Just drink and dance. read more

Cafe Wha? - a plate of food - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

Yes Yes Yes! House Band is fantastic! That beautiful black queen is worth the trip alone but do not be fooled thinking this venue is just for the vocals. The guitar solos are intoxicating and the keyboards are insane (hail west coast Seattle man- you are a keyboard killer!) The audibles between band members and crowd interaction keeps this place perfectly unique. Nestled is one of the nicest NYC neighborhoods! Please support this venue, you will be grateful you did. Go early, ask for a booth and enjoy! read more

staff at cafe wha was incredibly rude. we showed up early to our 11:30 reservation... after 45 minutes of waiting we finally decided to ask what was going on and we were greeted with only insults and rude behavior from staff. especially the man pictured below. we were not the only ones waiting over thirty plus minutes for our reservation. and totally understandable if shows are running late .. just be kind about it. complete opposite from this staff. i'm sorry but if we show up early to a reservation I expect to be greeted with kindness regardless of the venue and to be seated within thirty minutes. instead it was strictly hostility from all staff. DO NOT GO HERE. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. embarrassing on his end. clearly has a power trip and his only way at feeling validated. embarrassing. try going to any other jazz venues on the block. no wait and everyone is so nice. read more

Cafe Wha? - a man walking down the street - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

Went to Cafe Wha? For my birthday celebration and can't say enough. From the front door to the service everything was top notch. The house band was so good we stayed for the second show. Which you should know they sing a completely different set list. Can't wait to go back. read more

Excellent venue, friendly staff but my choice of food was awful I ordered the chicken bbq flatbread-awful tasted like microwave food The staff was attentive The seating arrangement was awesome I really had a great time I will definitely go back oh yeah the Pink Floyd concert was nice too read more

What an amazing live music venue!!! When you walk up you're greeted at the entrance by a very personable man named Forte, he is truly the perfect greeter and the friendliest smile you've ever seen! After a brief conversation with Forte you are escorted downstairs where you'll be seated and then the fun begins! You are entertained by some of the funniest comedians in NY, and once the stage is cleared get ready for a treat by the CAFE WHA? House band which is comprised of an incredible eight piece band plus a few extras that come up to bring the audience an array of music to appeal to all musical taste! (Check out the posted videos for a sample of what you'll hear and see). There is a two drink minimum and a $15 cover charge on the weekends, but I tell you it is worth every dollar! The band is AMAZING!, the drinks are great and the people are loads of fun! If you are in NY between Tuesday through Sunday CAFE WHA? Is a must do! Dancing in the isles and everywhere there's space is permitted! read more

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My favorite place to listen to live music in NYC. It never disappoints. The musicians are always super friendly too. read more

Cafe Wha? - Full band! - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

The most expensive dirty hole in the wall. $18 cover charge and minimum 2 drinks at $18 a piece. If you want to pay $18 for a single corona beer, this is your place. Otherwise save your money because they literally sit people on top of each other. We had a group of 4 at 6 person table. And they sat another group of 4 with people sitting on each other's lap at are table. The only reason they get a star is because the band was actually very good. read more

Food sucks, band was cool, staff is rude But I had a good time since the band carried the weight. read more

My cousin and I were so excited to go to Cafe Wha after being told that the band played cover music and that we'd be able to dance. When we got there we were told that there was a $20 cover fee, which wasn't a problem, but there was also a two drink minimum and we'd be sitting at communal tables. We were seated as far from the stage as possible underneath a dripping AC unit. There were so many people/tables/chairs that it was impossible to move around and the drinks were really bad. Overall a terrible experience. read more

House band was good. Grilled chicken salad was horrible. Fish tacos were great! Venue is really dark inside so you have to use a flashlight to see the food that you're eating. The temperature inside the venue was very cold as well. I wouldn't recommend this establishment read more

True story: I spent so many Tuesday nights here in the late 90s.! The music is alway good and the crowd is jovial. Took a chance bringing my family for New Years Eve hoping it was still poppin. We weren't disappointed. The place was sold out, service was swift and the music was amazing. The band has diverse talent and seemed into it. The only downside is the space is tiny so get there early to get a seat across from the stage. A great evening had by all. We opened the nigh wandering GV, stopping for bites at Pomme Frite and Insomnia Cookies. read more

Cafe Wha? - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

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Came here in 2019 with my boss, some friends, and a client and we had the time of our lives! At the time I was living in San Francisco and this is what planted the seed for me and made me realize New York City had so much to offer and it was time to move. My boss was a regular here in her college days and when we got there they recognized her, knew her by name, and let us come in for the show. The same guy as she used to talk to you at the door was working there 10 years later! We drank martinis all night, danced like fools, and sang at the top of our lungs. If you want a night to remember that you might not totally remember you must come to café wha?! Now that I am officially a New Yorker I can't wait to come here again! read more

Cafe Wha is a great spot to visit. My friends and I had a GREAT time. The band is totally off the chain!!!! All the musicians are well-rounded seeing everything lots of songs there's not one song that you would not be entertained. I first went in Saturday and had such a blast that I went back the next day. Sunday did not disappoint. Like I said this place is Hott!!! read more

Jackie's attitude during our recent visit was less than satisfactory. I would recommend requesting assistance from another staff member if you have the option. My friend and I were hoping for a pleasant experience, but unfortunately, Jackie seemed determined to make things difficult for us from the jump. There was another staff member who was extremely helpful and accommodating when Jackie disappeared for hours. They readily answered any questions we had and even took the initiative to check in on us to ensure everything was going smoothly. Apart from that music and live performance was amazing!! read more

Had a blast here last night! Came with a largeeee party of 18 but we were accommodated well. Drinks were STRONG and our server leslie was a dream!! Always on top of the orders and got them quick. The band was fun! I would love to come back. read more

My favorite place to see a show. They always have great music. The rooms is spaced so there is always a good view. The prices are fair and the staff is always nice. read more

What a great spot!!! The music is great and the staff is awesome. My husband left his wallet on an outside table just before closing. Shut out to MD, for finding it and keeping it safe and to Drew and Graham for helping in the recovery process. Cafe Wha has an exceptional & honest staff. We tried to give MD (employee that found the wallet) a reward but he refused and said he was happy he found it and that was his job. We of course gave it to Graham to give it to him later :-) Highly recommend Cafe Wha! read more

Great place to grab something quick staff friendly and enjoyable to come visit. You must come check this place out

Came here to have a few drinks with a few friends. They have an outdoor seating with a live band and also one downstairs with 25% occupancy. Two drinks minimum per person, so we got a bucket special, which you could mix n match 6 beers. Food was required because of NYS law, so we got a side of pretzel bites. Overall, a pretty good experience, social distancing is enforced whenever possible, and the staff for the most part are very friendly. read more

My girlfriend turned me onto this place 10 years ago. Always a great time. The house band never disappoints, and the crowd, a mix of young and old, always soaks it up. I never get tired of going there. You don't know what you're missing. Once you go you will be hooked. read more

Cafe Wha? - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

The live music was great. The band was awesome, but the woman who sang (I missed her name) IS A POWERHOUSE, her voice WAS EVERYTHING. She can sing any tune in any genre. I could listen to her all day. Complimented her on vocals passing by, very welcoming and humble person. The food was good, Venue is small, BUT THAT bathroom is disgusting, outdated and small. Otherwise nice spot for entertainment and quick meal, and drinks. read more

Great ambience! The band playing last night (so sorry to not have the name) was sooo damn good! Place comes with a base charge of $15/head for the music and they insist on ordering at least one drink per member. Wish they would relax that or excuse the music fee (hence the 3 stars). Nonetheless - had good fun here. Most of the crowd is dancing along the music either in the front or at their tables! Good stop for catching a few drinks over some great music! This place is touted to be the beginning scenes for folks like Jimmy Hendrix and others, so be sure to check it out! And to not forget, this is right in the middle of McDougal Street with plenty of options for food around and easy access to the Subway station. read more

This is such a fun place. A bunch of us went last night---the cover charge was only $5 (with a two drink minimum). The bands and the cover charge varies depending on the night of the week. The interior is nothing fancy but you certainly leave having had a good time. The house band played last night and each member was terrific in his/her own right. At Cafe Wha, you can sing along and get up and dance if you wish. Nobody cares. For a fun night out, check it out. read more

Horrible customer service by the front door attendant and manager; the manager was incredibly rude to guests. Would not recommend.

The Cafe Wha band performed at my daughters wedding this past weekend. They were fantastic! They performed as smaller groups at the cocktail and after parties and the full band performed at the reception. Great performances, across the board. The dance floor was packed all night and we received so many compliments about the band. We are looking to book them again for our other daughters wedding in August. I just can't say enough about the band. read more

Cafe wha is a fun place to go for a couple of hours. With my friend we loved the 2nd part of the show, the first part was kinda boring. Also we ordered cocktails and they were disappointing. The sever was not really focus on orders at the beginning and we had to ask him 3 times for water. We ordered chips and salsa and it was so disappointing to see that the salsa was not homemade and fresh at all. The staff at the entrance was really nice. In conclusion, a great night with a little bit of disappointment. read more

Fernanda extremely helpful with everything. Would recommend her to anyone planning on attending this place. Above and beyond.

How fun is Café Wha? So much fun! I had a wonderful time here on a Friday night and cannot wait to go back. On Fridays, there are two shows featuring the House Band which is made up of some talented artists. There is a $15 cover that is added to your bill and you have to make a reservation. Although their website says your whole party needs to be present in order to be seated, do not worry about that. They will seat you. Since it is in the basement there is no cell service. You are greeted at the door, go down some stairs and you check in with the door man. A server will then seat you, give you menus for food and drinks and take your order. Unless you are a big group, you might share a table with some other people but that's standard in a West Village show venue. The show begins with some words from the host/hype man who plays keyboard and sings with the House Band. He is a good entertainer and gets the crowd ready. He is followed by a guest comedian, who on the night that I was there, was okay. Not the greatest comedian but you have to start somewhere.... As I mentioned above, the House Band is amazing. Just performing covers, they jam out and each member takes a turn showcasing their talents. Featuring older classics to current top 40s, none of the songs were bad. Throughout the night other singers will join in. The guy whose specialty was hip hop and rap killed it. By the end of the night everyone is on their feet and dancing in the small walking area, which was encouraged. Overall, the band reminded me of a really good wedding band. Drinks are decent and the food is okay. I would eat somewhere else before the show begins and get a drink or two. Bring cash. read more

Cafe Wha? - By the end of the night everyone is standing and dancing. - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

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Went to Cafe Wha last Saturday for a friends birthday. We were a big group of 10 people and many of us had never been before, including myself. Checking in at the door was a bit weird, I almost felt like if I looked at the bouncer the wrong way he wouldn't let me in. However, once we got in and were brought to our table, our waiter Kevin immediately came over to get our drink order. With a group of 10 people and a packed house you wouldn't expect Kevin to remember what each person at the table was drinking but after our second round of drinks was ordered Kevin always knew what was up and what we wanted. It was really refreshing to have a waiter that was as nice, attentive and friendly as Kevin was! The overall experience at Cafe Wha was pretty incredible. It started off with a hilarious comedian and then went right into the house band. My only complaint is that the show isn't longer because once the band starts playing... you will NEVER want to leave! All of us were out of our seats dancing and singing by the end of it! Towards the end of the night I had the pleasure of meeting the manager, Julian. He was such a terrific guy and really accommodating with our large groups needs. Julian, Kevin, and the rest of the team helped make sure my friend had a terrific birthday and was even able to bring out the cupcakes we got her (with candles they had in house) to keep the celebration going! I can't wait to come back here and hopefully have Kevin and Julian working that night. I recommend Cafe Wha for anyone who loves live music and is looking for a truly special and fun evening!!!! read more

A couple of us visited this spot on a busy Saturday night after strolling around the street and overall had a great time but, the customer service and the friendliness of the staff was beyond disgusting. There was a $15 cover plus a two drink minimum which we were cool with. After about a hour of the band playing, our server brings us the check, I leave tip based on the service. He comes back to me after and says "this is not enough, we have a 20% minimum tip required". What in the world. First off, I am not tipping on the cover charge and the service was no more than a typical bar. I asked for the manager, the guy who came out was RUDE. I was seriously thinking about changing my tip to $0 but we did not allow me as apparently the system already processed my transaction. The manager brought out a new receipt for me to leave additional tip. As I denied, he said "I will call my bouncers to kick you out". At this time, the band was already done for the night but since he wouldn't leave my table, I decided to fulfill his 20% tip request. This is such an unethical way of running a business and would not return. Yes the music is great and the vibes are amazing but I truly look for great customer service as well, which this place needs a huge reality check on. read more

Good music but real idiots at the door they make you stand in the line even though you show them your ticket and then after you wait for 40 minutes in the line and ask the The guy with long dreadlocks at the door why you're not in yet even though the show started 40 minutes ago, he tells you that he gave you tickets to someone else and feels offended asking you to apologize to him. Worst place ever avoid if you can read more

Awful customer experience. After today's poor customer service from the hostess and the manager, I will no longer come to this place which I used to recommend to everyone. Tonight, the venue was half empty. The waitress managed to seat 4 in our booth for 3 people. I let her and the manager know that we were not feeling comfortable sharing such small space when there were seats and tables available. Manager didn't care. read more

5 stars for the awesome band. They're super fun, played awesome songs that everyone sang along to, and got the crowd going. Definitely a cute date idea or group outing on a Saturday night. $15 for cover - not bad for NYC. However...the layout of the venue sucked. Everyone was squeezed tightly together at each table. There's barely any room for dancing or even standing because there is just one aisle where everyone has to get through going to the bathroom, getting to the kitchen, etc etc. The staff definitely pushed us out of the way aggressively every time they walked by, which was pretty impolite and put a damper on the experience. I wish they would remodel the venue for a better experience...till then...next! read more

BE CAREFUL! WORST MANAGEMENT and SERVICE. Very rude manager, impolite waiters, they will surely get deceive you and if something wrong Management humiliates you. Your reservation don't matter them, u will be staing near the door 30-50 min! What? After this you will be pushing you for to order. Worst management ever! NEVER get back if whole stuff will be not changed! Special their manager Because bands are great, without the music and their artists this place would never be able to exist read more

Amazing live music by These Mother Funkers. This place has invested heavily in the quality of sound, has some of the best acoustics I've heard for a small club, aided greatly by the sound shield around the drums and superb quality audio equipment. They usually have a great sound engineer too. We were lucky enough to witness the open mic which was hilarious, fun and full of talented people. What a great experience for a Tuesday night in NYC. Thanks to Julian for the hospitality read more

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Shame on you Cafe Wha, for shame! I've been warned that this spot is infamous for adding random charges to large groups (namely the cocktails unbeknownst to us) Sadly, our night was no different. Their only saving grace (worth two stars alone): The insanely good house band. Absurd levels of chops from every musician that came up to plate. Food-wise, their burgers and truffle fries are nothing to brag about. You're better off boozing it at the bar, then trolling the nearby eateries afterwards. read more