Cafe Wha?
Cafe Wha?
4.5
6:00 PM - 1:30 AM
Tuesday
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 PM - 12:30 AM
Thursday
6:00 PM - 1:30 AM
Friday
6:00 PM - 1:30 AM
Saturday
6:00 PM - 1:30 AM
Tours & experiences
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What is Travellers’ Choice?
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Top ways to experience Cafe Wha?
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Greenwich Village
Commonly known as “the Village” to New Yorkers, it was here in Greenwich Village that both 1960’s counter culture and the LGBT movement were born. Famous for its bohemian past, head to Washington Square Park to get a feel for this diverse and energetic neighbourhood. You’ll find NYU students, street performers, skateboarders, kids frolicking in the fountain, and locals relaxing and playing chess. Stroll the streets to discover a mix of majestic town homes and hidden bars and restaurants that give this neighbourhood an old-school residential feel. When the sun goes down, check out one of the famous jazz or comedy clubs that still packs them in every night.
How to get there
- West 4th St – Washington Square • 2 min walk
- Christopher St – Sheridan Square • 6 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
10 000 within 5 kms
Attractions
2 842 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
568 reviews
Excellent
372
Very good
117
Average
24
Poor
10
Terrible
45
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Pauline A
Liverpool, UK8 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
This visit to Cafe Wha was extremely anticipated as part of a once in a life time special birthday treat to NYC. I booked 3 tickets online weeks before the trip. Their policy stated $10 per person for the band and I chose this evening as my daughter is only 20 and it was just the house band. They stated 2 items per person added extras. Which seemed fine. Upon arriving the doorman shouted down to staff theres 1 person under 21 so when we got there a lady told me it would be an extra $25 for my daughter on top of the $30 for the band. I was totally shocked when the server took away my credit card and said I will have it returned at the end of the evening even though I told him we wanted to pay cash. I stupidly went along with this. They try to make out its free food so order even though you may not want it. We should have left the minute they asked for the card but we thought lets have a few drinks and make the best of it. Our bill was just shy of $200.00 I handed the cash to the server but did not give a service charge I felt robbed enough. On the way out the server asked why I did not give him any money, I said it is no reflection on him and i dont see why we are forced to give a tip just because their employer chooses to pay staff very little. I was then accosted by 2 further staff members asking the same, I felt verbally attacked. People be aware of this badly managed set up. The band are fantastic and if they want to pay them a decent wage then be upfront and request a reasonable ticket price amount Im sure people would pay to have a great night. Dont force extra charges dont take peoples credit cards dont force over priced rubbish drinks and food on people and do not expect people to give more money when you have ripped them off. We left upset and the special birthday ruined. It is not nice to treat visitors this way. People be very wary.
Written 11 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saar G
Tel Aviv, Israel109 contributions
Sept 2021 • Family
Obviously, we came here to feel some of the vibe of the classic club from all the stories. What we found was a grungy nightclub with poor food. Obviously the music , Funky Night, when we were in was great with very talented musicians. Obviously due to COVID, the place was only 15% full at best, but I wonder if people are also looking for something a bit more updated. I wouldn’t recommend the place for the food, which needs serious help. As a historical pitstop, it’s a must see, but management shouldnt take advantage of people’s desire for nostalgia with mediocre fare, especially with the inflated prices they charge.
Written 8 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Massimo F
New York City, NY10 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
Before it was a great place to go and listen a good music. Now it has become a tourist trap. They make you pay for the entrance and it is mandatory to pay for two drinks. The musicians make covers and sadly try to involve an audience like in a holiday park. The tables are so close and you can't see anything. The first part of the concert begins at 9.30pm. At 10.30 pm it ends and if you want to stay there for the second round you have to take 2 more drinks…which are not cheap at all. In New York there are a thousand better places that don't cost money and where good music is played. The blue note is also very close and cheaper. Pity though, the history of the place was unique.
Written 14 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barry S
Larchmont, NY7 contributions
Oct 2020
Cafe Wha has been my go to place since I first went nearly 20 years ago. The music is consistently outstanding, classic , yet cutting edge. And you never know who is going to show up to join in with the fabulous Wha band. The food and drink are good and the service is excellent. The place is intimate and the patrons start to vibe on each other from the very beginning. As the night goes on it begins to feel more and more like a party than a club. We were there last Saturday, and even with social distancing, the experience was so good that we stayed for the second show.
Written 29 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom L
Ottawa, Canada472 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We went to Cafe Wha on Funk Night. The band was brilliant. Guests also performed a version of "open mike" but they all definitely knew what they were doing. The rapper from Bed-Stuy was awesome. The vocalists had the stylings of Donny Hathaway, Roberta Flack & Lauren Hill.
Music charge is a very sensible $15 person. And drink prices are very reasonable. Shout out to our awesome server Lizandra. This place offered a solid two hours of entertainment: it was fun.
Music charge is a very sensible $15 person. And drink prices are very reasonable. Shout out to our awesome server Lizandra. This place offered a solid two hours of entertainment: it was fun.
Written 24 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alis 87
Aprilia, Italy8 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
This place is so cool! I have always wanted to visit it. Prices are crazy but if you want to enjoy the Village, you cannot go to the Cafe Wha. My experience has been awesome, except for the price of 3 beers: 40💰!
Written 25 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harriet N
London, UK9 contributions
Dec 2019
My friend and I were visiting New York for a few days and had been told to visit Cafe Wha? (as it was soo good 15 years ago!). Well I must say it didn't just live up to our expectations but massively exceeded it - it was so so fantastic, you must go and see the House Band, they are truly phenomenal. There's a big mix of different aged people - so whatever age you're going to enjoy it. Cannot recommend this place enough - I'd go back to New York again just to go here if I could
Written 14 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pierre59000
Daix, France67 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Excellent musicians... great evening. Ok dinner. 8 p.m. dinner, 9 p.m. concert, 10:30 p.m. outside otherwise you have to pay again because 2nd service. $300 without extras for 4. Reserve.
Written 4 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah M
Hertford, UK33 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Total
Joke.
They sell you free tickets via event Brite until you get there and it’s 35 usd pp to get in for anyone under 21! Even though they say kids 16+ are welcome on Sunday nights. Waste of our time and they really could not have cared less… and we were really looking forward to it.
Joke.
They sell you free tickets via event Brite until you get there and it’s 35 usd pp to get in for anyone under 21! Even though they say kids 16+ are welcome on Sunday nights. Waste of our time and they really could not have cared less… and we were really looking forward to it.
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DREW R
Glasgow, UK341 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
only second time in cafe wha? a great night out. $20 cover charge and two item minimum purchase. well worth it. food is good, staff are excellent, i was there on a Saturday night. booked in for both band sets. highly recommend this bar. the house band are superb.
Written 20 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello! We can have dinner tonight and see the show at 9pm?? Bye!!
Written 1 November 2019
good morning to all of you, i will to know if is possible to enter in this local whit my doughter, she is 8. bye bye
Written 25 January 2018
We visited cafe wha about 5 years ago and had a great night consisting mainly on songs from the 80s. (Tears for fears, depeche mode etc'). We heared that the house band changed since than and wanted to know of the music played is the still the same, or has the theme changed? Thank you.
Written 21 October 2016
We went there in September, and it was fantastic. The house band were so versatile and did everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Bob Marley. There was something for everyone. My husband & I have completely different tastes in music, and we both loved it. They had guest singers up to join them, throughout the night, and at the end everyone that could find room to get up & dance did. It was music from across a few decades not just the 80's.
Enjoy 😀
Written 21 October 2016
Elaine W
St. Petersburg, Russia
How long is the I got my life Nina Simone tribute?
Written 13 August 2016
We will be in NYC next week and wanted to try this place. Do we need to buy tickets ahead for a Tuesday?
Written 22 June 2016
Sí pueden, siempre que estén acompañados de un adulto (+21) y tiene que consumir algo mínimamente por US$ 15 (comidas y/o bebidas). Entra a la página oficial de Café Wha? y encontrarás más información sobre eso.
Written 1 August 2017
Laura W
New York City, New York
Hi, just wondering it you have to be 18 to go to Cafe Wha?
Thanks
Written 4 August 2015
Hi Laura. In the webpage you can find the following information about age requirement:
"Weekdays: Cafe Wha? permits guests under 21 to attend our shows if accompanied by an adult. There is a $20 minimum for guests under 21 on weekdays, in addition to the evenings cover charge.
Weekends: For all age requirements on weekends, please connect with our groups deparment at least one week prior to the show to see if you can be accommodated."
I hope I solved your doubt!
Written 21 August 2015
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