Cafe Wha?

01/04/10

The band was really good.

by msdecember at Citysearch

We heard many good things about Cafe Wha? from family who goes there often.. I'm not really a fan of live music from house bands doing covers so it never was on the top of my list of places to visit. The decision maker was really their website advertisement of Sunday having no cover.. Having trekked all the way from Jersey on one of the coldest nights ever.. we decided to still go in after we were told it was $10 a head to enter due to it being a holiday weekend.. (whatever, dude.. it was freakin January 3!!!)... (add that onto the 2 drink minimum per person).. I was a bit bummed at first but after deciding to make the most of it (that and the stiff martinis I ordered).. I ended up actually enjoying myself. The band was really great and made the evening cool.

• Pros: Great band, strong martinis, history
• Cons: So very overpriced, misleading on cover charges, very tight

12/28/09

Wha?s everyone talking about

by jon263 at Citysearch

I read a couple of the most recent reviews, and I cannot understand what people are talking about? Cafe Wha? is one of the most fun places in all of New York. The band is phenomenal, especially the house band. Every time I go, the band has the crowd up and dancing. I recommend this place to anyone who likes great live music, and enjoys dancing, and having a good time!

• Pros: Dancing, Great Band, Fun Fun Fun!

12/03/09

Wha is the matter?

by SoperE at Citysearch

Years ago I used to come here a couple of times a week. But now the management and the entertainers don't really seem to care anymore. It's like they're not even trying. Actually, I'm sure they're not even trying. There are not many places in New York to see live music anymore. It will be a shame if this one, especially with its history, ends up packing it in. C'mon Wha, wake up!

• Pros: Bryan Stephens

10/11/09

How Cafe Wha Lost $1200 to $2400+ in One Night

by CandidaH at Citysearch

I went on a Sunday night, which is supposed to have no cover, but they charged $10 because of a Monday holiday. Strike one. I sucked it up and agreed to pay the cover. Inside, I found out that they did not serve coffee. I ordered a drink then went to Caffe Reggio for my coffee boost. I returned to Wha, where they told me that I could not take the drink to the table where my friends and the drink I had already ordered were waiting. They were pretty rude about it, which made me upset, so I left and will not be going back. Here is how they lost $1200 to $2400:

If they had treated me respectfully and used some good business sense, I would have had my coffee at the table with my friends and spent about $30. Multiply that by four people and you have $120. Multiply that by about 10 more visits with an average of 4 friends and you get $1200 within the next year. And say we go a little less than twice a month, and that's around $2400. So, my friends and I will be spending $2400+ elsewhere while, potentially, Cafe Wha shuts its doors, unable to pay its rent because of bad/stupid/inflexible business policies applied out of an ignorant sort of desperation. Oh, and multiply $2400 by the number of people turned off who don't write reviews, and then New Yorkers learn why "good," and even historical clubs loose money and have to shut their doors. Then again, CAFE Wha could add coffee to their menu. But then again, maybe they are special enough to treat customers badly, have misguided business policies and still pay their rent/stay in business. Time will tell.

• Pros: not sure
• Cons: bad management, shady customer relations

07/03/09

I played there in 1965-1966

by JoeSherov at Citysearch

I used to play at the Wha? with my band, The Outcasts, in 1965 and 1966. We played alongside Jimi Hendrix and the Spoonful. What a great place..............JOE

• Pros: The Real Deal
• Cons: None

03/23/09

Horrible Staff!

by JanaLI at Citysearch

My fiance recommended this place because he thought it would be a fun place to go with my 8 friends for my bachlorette party. After standing in line for a while, we were ushered in to a cramped dark basement and seated at a table large enough to accommedate my group. After settling in, we were asked to move to the far corner because another group had waited patiently. More patiently than us? I highly doubt that as we're a pretty quiet group of ladies. We didn't mind moving, but the explanation for why we had to do so was odd. After re-settling into our new seats, the music began and the fun started. Then I got up to have a cigarette outside. That's when I was told that I must have a pass fro my server. Fine. Sadly, the place was so overcrowded with people dancing that I was unable to find my server in the dark room and fell because I was unable to see the step up somewhere in the middle of the room. This is when the staff announced to my HORROR that I was "cut off" from drinking and needed to be watched. I was not drunk. Not even a little bit. FINALLY, one of my friends found our server and got the pass...but the staff had already announced I was cut off and they still wouldn't let us out (again, to my confusion). I got very upset and pointed out they were ruining my night... so they finally let me out. Later on my friends told me that half the food and beverage ordered were never served and they had to argue their check with a staff of enormously intimidating bouncers who had given most of the party trouble throughout the course of the evening. We all left early, sober, and extremely upset. Half the group works for various hotels in the area and we're shocked at the service. Not only are we contacting the fire marshall regarding the overpacked basement with one exit that you're not allowed to utilize without being threatened but we're encouraging everyone to not waste their money for a place that treats you like a criminal and not a guest.... especially when you're not acting a drunken fool!! They really did ruin my night...

• Pros: The Music
• Cons: The Staff, The Staff, The Staff!!

02/27/09

Bring back the Band!!!

by ebonydream at Citysearch

I can't believe t they fired the band!!! Cheryl we miss you. It's not the same. They're trying, but it's just not the same. NOT THE SAME. The Cafe Wha had a great run, but at those prices and no more band I don't think it's really worth it anymore. Maybe they'll get it together. I hope so.

• Pros: Mike Davis
• Cons: Fired the regular band

01/09/09

Unpleasant Staff

by chowfun56 at Citysearch

I came New Years Eve. The last reviewer had it right. Take it or leave pretty much does sum up their attitude.

• Pros: Tall white guitarist
• Cons: way over priced, cramped space, rude manager, totally lackadasical service, way over priced

01/07/09

My Cafe Wha experience

by ambermichelle23 at Citysearch

I went last night to celebrate my birthday. Invited about 10 or so friends out to join me. Prior to arriving, I called and e-mailed the week before to confirm the cover and any other information I should know about. No one ever responded to me. When we arrived, the cover is $10 (it's advertised as $5 on a lot of other websites)...no biggie...BUT, it's $10 + a 2-drink minimum. Nowhere on their website is this noted. Certainly not a deal-breaker but when I brought it to the management's attention, he had a 'take-it-or leave it' attitude. I had a couple of friends with me who are currently out of work and had I known I would have forewarned them that this could end up being a $40 night. In any event, we decided to stay and check out the show.

My sole purpose was to see Cheryl Pepsii Riley perform. I heard good things about their Tuesday night showcase and knew that she would put on a good show. As the band started performing, I noticed that she wasn't on stage. I asked my server was she going to perform tonight -- his response: "Who??" I repeated myself at least 3x. He then proceeded to tell me that she's no longer w/ the band. Oh really?? Soooo, not only are we paying more than I anticipated but the person I came to see is not even performing. My server literally told me "It is what it is" -- So not cool. I'm sure I could have found this out had anyone ever returned my calls or e-mail to begin with.

All things considered, the band who performed did a good job and kept the crowd jumping. But, the combination of poor management and poor customer service put a damper on the evening. I wouldn't return and definitely wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. It's unfortunate because the music is good. But, and I cannot emphasize this enough, the service is HORRIBLE. Do not waste your time.

• Pros: the music...the band who did perform did a great job
• Cons: the service, the service, the service

01/04/09

WHAT A SPECIAL PLACE

by tiat at Citysearch

Heard so much about it and got to check it out with a few friends. Had great time from start to finish. Stayed all night Saturday and the music just got better and better. What a rockinnnnn band. Got to eat, drink and have a blast. The host was super nice and gets you all exited for all the right reasons. Will highly recomend it to all my friends. See you soon.

• Pros: Live music, decor, atmosphere, food
• Cons: The night had to end eventually...