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New York (NY)
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Cafe Wha?
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Cafe Wha?

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Cafe Wha?
4.5
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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
Posh Pop Bakeshop
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Olio e Più
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Numero 28 Pizzeria
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693
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Mille-Feuille Bakery
288
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • French • Cafe
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Attractions
1,609 within 10 kms
The Players Theatre
40
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Greenwich Village
3,833
0.2 kmNeighbourhoods
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Provincetown Playhouse
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87 mHistoric Sites
Judson Memorial Church
5
0.2 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Washington Square Park
3,657
0.3 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
Our Lady of Pompeii
11
0.2 kmHistoric Sites • Religious Sites
The Renee and Chaim Gross Foundation
7
0.2 kmSpeciality Museums
Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU
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See all
See what travellers are saying
  • DREW R
    Glasgow, United Kingdom337 contributions
    top class entertainment
    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.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 20 April 2023
  • Chris H
    3 contributions
    Great night out!
    First time at the Cafe Wha and it surpassed our expectations. Relaxed, friendly service and the house band is fantastic. If you want a great night out with superb live music, look no further.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 17 September 2023
  • Tom L
    Ottawa, Canada432 contributions
    Awesome Night of Fun
    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.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 24 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
563 reviews
Excellent
369
Very good
117
Average
23
Poor
10
Terrible
44
Tom L
Ottawa, Canada432 contributions
Awesome Night of Fun
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.
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.
Sarah M
Hertford, UK20 contributions
JOKE
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.
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.
Chris H
3 contributions
Great night out!
Sep 2023 • Friends
First time at the Cafe Wha and it surpassed our expectations. Relaxed, friendly service and the house band is fantastic. If you want a great night out with superb live music, look no further.
Written 17 September 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.
David Shimoni
Boston, MA2 contributions
Stay away from this place!!!
May 2023 • Friends
The staff at Cafe Wha was very rude to us and when we asked for better seats and we ended up leaving to The Groove where they treat you like guests and not like animals.
Written 26 May 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.
Sharon D
27 contributions
Amazing night
Apr 2023 • Couples
I loved this! Such a cool venue. The drinks flowed but more importantly the house band were incredible! We had a table right in front of the stage and it was brilliant. High recommend.
Written 1 May 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, UK337 contributions
top class entertainment
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.
Pauline A
Liverpool, UK7 contributions
Fantastic band ......dreadful charges and rules!
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.
Jen V
Wilton, CT2 contributions
Guaranteed good time!
Jan 2023 • Friends
Guaranteed good time in NYC! Amazing house band…you’ll be on your feet dancing and singing before you know it!
Written 18 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.
Massimo F
New York City, NY11 contributions
Bad bad experience!
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.
Gerard A
Cork, Ireland93 contributions
Great band
May 2022
Not a cheap venue and you don't have much room. Maybe we were a bit too old for this venue but our daughter enjoyed it. The Cafe Wha house band were absolutely fabulous with their music selections.
Was a nice experience to visit it though.
Written 15 November 2022
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.
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Cafe Wha? - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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