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    Cafe Wha?

    3.4 (488 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 pm - 12:30 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    Cafe Wha? Photos

    CAFE WHA? ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Very loud
    Good for dancing
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Wha?

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    Aperol Spritz
    Nikita K.

    Came here for a live performance for Beatles covers. The tables are a little bit too close to each other and it's extremely hard to even get in your seat I felt suffocated. There's also a 2 item order minimum per person which I think is too much since we already paid for the performance. I got the peach mocktail and it was too sour and I didn't like it. The cocktails like aperol spritz come in very small glasses as well. The French fries were good and crispy though.

    Food that is good
    John C.

    Cafe Wha? never disappoints. Every time I step into that legendary basement in Greenwich Village, I leave feeling more alive than when I walked in. The energy, the history, the sound -- it's electric. But what truly takes it over the top is Robin Andre. His stage presence, vocals, and connection with the crowd are next level. When Robin's on the mic, you're not just watching a show -- you're part of it. If you haven't experienced a live set at Cafe Wha? (especially with Robin in the lineup), add it to your NYC bucket list. It's more than music -- it's magic.

    The cover charge was reasonable on Sunday night, @$10pp. The House Band was great and very talented. Everyone seemed to gave a great time. Highly recommended.

    Stephanie G.

    Came here to observe a performance by The tall Black guy & Zo. The place was really small & if you are looking for space away from others this is not for you . There is a 2 order minimum per person . I ordered a fruit punch juice & Nachos. The Nachos I will say was the worst I've had . The vibe overall was good & the performance was amazing .

    Outdoor
    Ani P.

    Great food (nachos are bomb), and great music. We had a res and they did have us sit outside for 20 min past it, but when we got in they had a table near the stage saved for us and the food/drinks service came quick, so that made up for it. Vibes are 10/10, loved the band so much we followed them to their next gig that night. Most people end up getting up like it's a concert, so just do that early if you're short.

    Maurice M.

    I had been eagerly looking forward to visiting this legendary spot since our plans to visit NYC for NYE were finalized several months ago. I was not disappointed at all. We were able to witness one of the best house bands we've ever seen; an incredibly versatile and talented collection of musicians. Shout out to management and the waitstaff for making our night special. The top highlight of a great winter trip (even more fun than watching The Ball Drop!).

    a crowd of people at a bar
    Nikhil R.

    This cafe is ok. It's a popular music venue, but unfortunately both the layout and practices are really disappointing. First of all, seating here is terrible. They cram you into small tables with no view of the stage. We were lucky to get a good view, but many others are not lucky. Second, they have no phone service or WiFi down here. It's really disappointing that they don't provide WiFi for patrons, especially knowing that being in a basement kills phone service from all providers. Last, they have a minimum food and drink purchase per person even if you buy a show ticket. They make you purchase 2 items per person, sodas and water not included. Every food item is $12+, and drinks start at $9 and go up to $20. You can easily double what you spent on the concert in just following this, in my opinion, terrible rule the venue sets. I will say that their French fries are awesome and served with a sauce I can only compare to an unsweetened Chick-Gil-a sauce. Overall, this venue could use many improvements and changes to their "rules" to make this a better experience overall.

    Yuna C.

    Didn't know what I was expecting but left having so much fun, listening and bopping along to such talented musicians!

    Derek V.

    As seems to be the theme in New York City, I loved the look and feel of this place. I was also hyped up by the bouncer for my outfit which made me feel really cool and fresh. But our waitress was not very patient or friendly. Very pushy and frustrated because I couldn't hear over the music. This always makes me feel badly as someone with hearing problems; despite letting her know she was still condescending and rude. This was definitely a disappointment. I love music, I love history, and combining the two was something I was really looking forward to enjoying. Unfortunately the waitress kept making us feel uncomfortable, coming over way more than necessary despite ordering a good amount of food and drinks, so we ended up leaving a bit earlier than we initially planned. I hope our next visit to Cafe Wha? will be better. I just wish my first experience was. Otherwise great drinks, great live music & great hype man.

    Band playing

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    1 year ago

    It was amazing from the moment I walked in to the moment I left food drinks, and entertainment on point will definitely visit again

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    Page 1 of 13

    Cafe Wha? Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cafe Wha?

    Do you have to make reservation or can you just buy at door?

    Reservations are highly recommend, especially on the weekends. We typically max out on reservations on Friday and Saturday nights.

    View All 6 Questions

    Review Highlights - Cafe Wha?

    The music was awesome- the house band put on one of the best shows I've seen in a long time.

    Mentioned in 93 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    I've lived in New York for 12 years, and somehow, I had never made it to the Bowery Ballroom. I've…read moreheard people rave about it for over a decade, and after finally seeing Rochelle Jordan there, I get the hype. It actually lives up to its reputation as one of the best-sounding rooms in the city. The venue is such a vibe. You walk into the ground-floor lounge, which is a great spot to grab a drink and decompress before the show, and then you head up the stairs into the main ballroom. The acoustics were flawless for Rochelle's set; her vocals were crisp, and you could feel the bass through the floor without it being muddy. Even though it's an intimate space, the high ceilings and the mezzanine give it a grander feel than your typical club. Pro Tip: If you want a bit more breathing room but still want a perfect view, the mezzanine is the place to be. But honestly, there isn't a bad "seat" (standing room only) in the house. After 12 years of hearing about it, I'm just annoyed I waited this long to go. It won't be another decade before I'm back.

    It is an interesting experience, and I would say this spot definitely has a relaxed vibe. You can…read morepre-order the tickets on your phone (ticketmaster). It is just standing the whole time for the concert unless you are VIP (then there will be a small table with chairs set aside for you.) When you walk in, they check your bags and make sure you are of age (need photo ID and will get a wrist band), and there was no wait when I arrived at 6:30 PM, and the show was scheduled for 7 PM. There is a spot downstairs when you walk in to rest on a couch if you need. There are drinks: wine, beer, cider. The bathrooms are decent if you have to use them. Some positives: There is a coat check for $3, and they accept credit card. There are multiple stalls in the ladies' bathroom, and there is soap! I saw non-alcoholic drinks: Poland Spring water, Monster energy drink.

    Photos
    Bar top floor balcony
    Bar top floor balcony
    Flower on stage smiths Tribute NYC
    Flower on stage smiths Tribute NYC
    Celebrating the life of an outlaw country music legend! Rest easy big guy.

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    The Red Lion

    The Red Lion

    3.5
    (449 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$
    Full bar
    Live music

    Picking my kid up from school we walked past this restaurant and saw an outside sign that said " 50…read morecent wings." They had me at 50 cents!! I went inside and asked the host if she was allowed to come inside with me, she said " yes! From 2pm-9pm she's welcome." We went home got ready and headed right back out. When we got there she said " you can sit anywhere." For a person handling everything at the time and I mean bartending, waitressing and being the host, she did amazing! She did explain to us that although the wings were 50 Cents the minimum u can get is 5 or 6. We ordered Bbq wings, mozzarella sticks, french fries, and regular wings. Everything tasted delicious and cooked to perfection. We came out this place looking like we ate a whale lol. They have juice, soda, and water for beverages, as well as alcoholic drinks. If you're ever interested in going, I suggest looking up what dates they have live events because that stage screams " LIVE MUSIC EVENTS."

    First off, let it be known that I am so not familiar with the area or much of a bar hopper. Friends…read moreplanned for us to meet up here. When we arrived, there was a line at the door. Luckily, a table reservation for our party of had been made so we were able to go right in. Having just come from dinner, we did not eat any food. Drinks were all that we had. Shortly after arriving, the tables disappeared and it got way more crowded & loud on this Saturday night. It was a fun bar with live music. We did dance albeit very closely together. It was a perfect vibe for our birthday girl!

    Photos
    Live music everyday!
    Live music everyday!
    The Red Lion
    The Red Lion

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    Smalls Jazz Club

    Smalls Jazz Club

    4.3
    (445 reviews)
    0.3 mi
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    Kinda wild that I didn't write a review the last time I was in this jazz joint…read more Last time I popped into the 2am show and it blew my sox off. I saw Miki Yamanaka randomly for the 1st time. But apparently i missed writing a review. Maybe because there are many glowing reviews already. But may I put my 5 star review on the pile. This time we caught the 2pm Sunday open jam. We were smartly near the front of the line so we got my favorite spot, right on the bar rail near the stage. The drinks were good and strong, the service was quick and succinct. The jam was incredible. I didn't know all the guys but the guy on drums is a legend named muppet. He held back on his solos on the first 2 songs. On the third, when the baton was passed to him, he ripped off an impressive solo that would be amazing for anyone, and he is 93. We had to dip out to catch our flight, but cant wait to stop in again next time.

    This was our last stop during our must recent NYC trip. Were only able to stay for a an hour or…read moreso, because we had to run to the airport. Still, this was enough to get a good feel of what the club is all about. Just standing in line we got to talk to a musician, who had just played at another location, but told us the people playing there that day were amazing, including the 91-year-old drummer "Muppet". We went during the day so no cover charge, but think they do at later hours. We got some spots at the bar, knowing we would not be able to stay long. From any seat you are able to enjoy the whole atmosphere and set. They had one server and one bartender, and I honestly thought at first they would be scrambling with all the drink orders but the way they worked, quickly and still being personable with each guest was impressive. The band playing was great, we stayed a bit more than we should have because of how good they were. Very intimate, chill way to spend time enjoying live music. The only reason I took one star off is the restroom situation. I went down hoping I could use the facilities but the mold smell and other strong smell made me sick and I had to run out. Just make sure you go before you are inside or hold it. Apart from that, very intimate, chill way to spend time enjoying live music.

    Photos
    Smalls Jazz Club
    Some artwork right outside
    Some artwork right outside
    11.19.22 7:30pm show

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    Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar

    Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar

    3.6
    (299 reviews)
    3.5 mi
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    Thursday, 07May26 - A night of celebrating Taurus' at Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar Lounge - and…read morewhat a celebration it was. So much joy. So much talent. Thank you, Valerie Simpson, and your late husband; Nickolas Ashford, for creating this amazing venue. The guest host for the evening was the incredibly talented Olutayo. Olutayo is joy exemplified. His vocal range, dance moves, entertaining facial expressions...infectious. I fell in love with this man and did not hesitate to tell him so. Beyond his talents was Olu's ability to manage / juggle the night's open-mic entertainers with such grace. From the lyrics of En Vogue and Salt-N-Peppa: "Whatta Man, Whatta Man, What a Mighty Good Man!" All of the entertainers were incredible. What a range of singers, dancers, a poet, a violinist. And the band! The band! The band! Come on!! Outstanding. I was seated next to Darius, one of the several background vocalists that were positioned throughout the lounge. We became fast friends in this space filled with exuberance. Darius was a delight. He was also a big brother to me, making sure no one blocked my view of the performance. Thank you, Darius, that was so kind of you. I had such a wonderful time being in the company of all these amazingly talented people. It was a 6-hour dopamine rush that should not be missed. The dinner that was served was top-notch. I had the Sea Bass. My friend had the Golden Fried Chicken. Both meals were delicious. I had the ginger mocktail with rosemary and blueberries - so yummy I had two. Dessert was key lime pie - suffer we will. Our server; Vickie, was a delight and amazing to observe as she maneuvered around the performers and kept us and everyone around us well served and continually hydrated. Vickie is to be commended for how hard she worked throughout the evening. I made sure our tip reflected our appreciation of her. Put the Sugar Bar on your bucket list when visiting NYC. You'll leave there feeling you have experienced Heaven on Earth.

    I was informed that you cannot make a reservation more than one week in advance. I made our…read morereservation as soon as the business opened one week in advance. The day before our dinner, I got an email, text, and telephone call to confirm our reservation. I asked if our seats were assigned to a specific table. I was told the assignments would be available the next morning. We arrived about 45 minutes before our reservation time. We were told that we could NOT go to the bar without paying the $20.00 per person door fee for the show. That night was open mic night. I was so eager to support this business because of its owners. We were also told we could NOT be seated early. We paid the money and waited. The tables in the bar area were reserved. When our reservation time arrived, in lieu of being seated where we could see the show we paid for, we were taken upstairs. I asked where the upstairs stage was located. There was NO stage. Instead, there was a 20 inch television hanging on the adjacent wall. We waited 45 minutes to watch a television upstairs away from the open mic show. I have included a picture from our vantage point. When I asked why we had not been seated in the open seats on the floor with the stage, I was told that some of the performers brought friends and our table was given to those individuals. Our money would not be refunded. I asked repeatedly why we were being moved and the hostess indicated that she did not make any decisions and the seats were going to be given to others. Those folks had not arrived and had not made any reservation. Thus, making a reservation was a waste of time. Then there was the food. I figured no one could mess up hot wings. I was wrong. The lemon pepper wings had no lemon and no pepper. It was just dropped into some butter. I had "buttered" wings. No seasoning except butter. Every member of our group remarked that the food was NOT good. I left 3/4 of the food on the plate. I was SORELY disappointed. Even sports bar have food don't string their customers along, make them wait 45 minutes, and then stash them away in heaven (i.e. upstairs). I could have watched better entertainment on Youtube. I will not be returning and I am telling everyone that I had bragged to about my upcoming birthday outing at the Sugar Bar that they should NEVER visit this place. No one cared that we were utterly disappointed with the trickery regarding the seating.

    Photos
    Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar
    Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar
    Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar

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    Wonderville

    Wonderville

    4.7
    (48 reviews)
    4.6 mi
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    Absolutely LOVEEEE this place. The arcade games are all so creative and so fun to get lost in…read more Especially the fact that they're FREE!!!! So it really pulls you into this sort of portal where you're fully locked in on games and then you look up and its been 3 hours, love it. Drinks are fine but they are a great price. Got the Waaaluigi which was really tasty and pretty unique! The wonder punch was a classic tropical rum drink and good but was a little watery. Absolutely LOVE the music here, both live and regular music through the speakers once the live shows are done. They also have a backyard outdoor courtyard that is perfect for a quick break to touch grass before going back in and screentimemaxxing again

    Game night!!!! If you're looking a place to hang out with retro/indie games and have drink with the…read moregang, this is the place for you. This place is pretty sweet as you enter and feel the inner child/nerd come out. It's great place to bring the boys out to hang out, a place decent date night with your partner and for anybody in general. The employees were nice to introduce me to their specialty drinks and other items. I ended up getting the Appletini which had a somewhat sweet yet sour taste. Pretty good 7/10. I do recommend playing the weather simulator game since it has a bunch of options to play solo and coop. Then there's the box bird game that pins two players to collect as much points as you can. Pretty simple. I did enjoy this fighting game that doesn't require much knowledge. It has your simple lows and heavys and an auto combo. Pork was a great character to play with. Definitely recommend coming here

    Photos
    Wonderville
    Wonderville
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    Cafe Wha? - musicvenues - Updated July 2026

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