Cafe Wha?

06/23/2008 Posted by atinofsild

As an Englishman in New York, I would heartily recommend this venue. Drinks were a tad steep, but all in all I really enjoyed the music and the atmosphere.

02/20/2008 Posted by jjpharma

Some of the performers at the Wah were just too corny for me. Except for the rock guy who played guitar and sang, most of the performers were just doing typical Disney World, Pleasure Island corny tourist stuff. They were all really talented, just too geared to the out of town people. Not quite worth the $20.00 to sit in the cramped basement.

Pros: Guitar Player, Comedian was really funny

Cons: Really Expensive Drinks

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful

12/29/2007 Posted by zco

the best place to be in new year eve i will be there with all my best friends . i hope it will be amazing evening just like every new year eve was before in this room can't wait anymore for the best show in town i'm from l.a california.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

09/28/2007 Posted by sharopooks

I'm a local who's been here twice - once for a birthday party & once when entertaining a friend from out of town. This place is great for such nights (bachelorette parties, etc) because it's a guaranteed good time out w/ great live music... You know those nights when you want to see good live music but you comb the Voice & are faced w/ chancing it on seeing a band you don't know because none of the ones you do know are playing? Well this place is the solution because all the musicians are fabulous & all the numbers are crowd-pleasers. Sure there's a bit of a cruise ship atmosphere (as someone stated below) but it's a FUN & entertaining vibe if you go in there knowing what to expect. It's not about seeing cutting edge music or hanging in a hip scene, it's about having a party with all sorts (LOTS of mainstream-y tourists/B&T/event types) with a sure-to-please bunch of songs. They really do run the gamut here of fun upbeat songs...there's an r&b phase, then a rock phase, then a Latin phase, etc. All the band's missing is a female & they got all the all encompassing crowd-pleasing bases covered! The room is cramped, they have that arranged seating where you might be seated w/ strangers & all the dancing happens in the crowded aisles, but it's all good. We had a comedian opening up that was pretty good. They also are sticklers about that cover, which they'll charge at the end of the set; if you leave early, you have to show your receipt (my friend got separated from me & was grilled until our waittress confirmed she had paid). Overall, though this isn't the edgiest place to catch live music on a night out, it is guaranteed great night if you know what you're getting! And sometimes that's all you need. PS My mojito was awful but it did the job...

Pros: Great band, wide appeal entertainment

Cons: Cramped seating, bad but drinkable mojito, slight cheesy factor

07/20/2007 Posted by rab263

I have been to Cafe Wha? quite a few times in the few years I've lived in New York City, and I enjoy it just as much as the first. The bands are always fantastic, and the service is some of the best in the city. The dance floor can get crowded at times, but the vibe is so good, that no one really seems to mind. If you've never been, it is certainly a place you have to check out.

Pros: Vibe

Cons: Busy

11/22/2006 Posted by latinjewel98

The place is tiny. You're rubbing shoulders with everyone but no one seems to care since they are having fun. There no trendy decor, just some raw fun.. The life music makes you want to dance, which people do in the tiny hall way. Drinks are cheap and the crowd lively. I absolutely had great fun at this place. Of course I got trashed too. :) Get there early if you want seats.

11/09/2006 Posted by jonmatzkin

This place is fine if you are interested in uninspired cover bands. But why would you be, when there are so many other places featuring the best in music of all descriptions?

Pros: Party atmosphere

Cons: Has seen better days

10/26/2006 Posted by actrss16

Great live music, annoying NYU crowd of young people weekends. Location is prime for bar-hopping, though.

Pros: Great bar-hopping location

Cons: NYU nerds everywhere

09/04/2006 Posted by chickidy222

I'm not a tourist, Im from right here in Manhattan, and tonight was possibly the best live music that I have heard since I have been here. The Wha band's energy combined with genuine musical talent and passion for performance was stellar. I highly recommend this place to anyone who is looking for great music and fun, but don't attend if you hate dancing, because here, you just can't help yourself.

Pros: Great service despite the small room, fantastic live music

Cons: Crowded

09/02/2006 Posted by gilco

i am traveling all over the world, i was at the cafe Wha few days ago and i will recomend to every person that i know to get there, the house band is ausome and the disfunktion band is amazing!! i didn't have a chance to see the barazuka band, but i had great time, food, music, atmosphere everything PERFECT!!!!