Cafe Wha?

The Basics

Cafe Wha? opened in the 1950s, when Greenwich Village was the center of New York’s beatnik scene. Owned by impresario Manny Roth in the early 1960s, the basement club welcomed many young singers at the beginnings of their careers: Bob Dylan hitchhiked from Minnesota to play at the club to a rapturous audience, and Mary Travers from Peter, Paul and Mary was a waitress here.

Today the club has three house bands that alternate nights and play a mixture of R’n’B, soul, funk, and rock. The bands often welcomes celebrity guest performers, so you never know who you might catch onstage. Visit this classic venue to round off a New York pub crawl or a tour of Greenwich Village.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Be prepared to pay a cover charge to enjoy music at Cafe Wha?

• The performance space is located in the basement, down a steep flight of stairs, and may not be suitable for wheelchair users.

• Cafe Wha? is not suitable for children.

How to Get There

Cafe Wha? is located at 115 Macdougal St. in Greenwich Village. To reach the club via subway, take the A, B, C, D, E, F or M train to West 4th St./Washington Square. You can also reach the area via bus; the M55 stops at 6th Ave and West 3rd St.

When to Get There

Cafe Wha? hosts live music 7 nights a week. It’s best to reserve seats in advance, especially on the weekend. Shows usually start around 9pm.

Visit Washington Square Park

Before heading to Cafe Wha?, spend some time in Washington Square Park, the heart of the village. The square, which sits in the center of New York University, has long attracted students, musicians, and nonconformists, and has been the site of many of the city’s most famous political rallies. Take some food to the park and enjoy lunch on one of the benches, or just spend a few minutes people watching.

Ways to explore

Cafe Wha? opened in the late 1950s, when Greenwich Village was the center of New York’s beatnik scene. Owned by impresario Manny Roth in the early 1960s, the basement club welcomed many young singers at the start of their careers: Bob Dylan hitchhiked from Minnesota to play at the club to a rapturous audience.

Today, the club plays a mixture of R’n’B, soul, funk, and rock. The bands often welcome celebrity guest performers, so you never know who you might catch onstage. Visit this classic venue to round off a New York pub crawl or a tour of Greenwich Village.

Accessibility

The venue is quite small, crowded, and frequently loud, so wheelchair users or travelers with other special requirements should consider their needs before visiting.

Age limits

Strictly 21+ on Fridays and Saturdays; 16+ on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in the company of an adult. There’s a mandatory US$25 fixed-menu minimum for under 21s.

What to pack

Earplugs if you’re sensitive to noise

What to wear

Casual clothes befitting a live music venue—a Bob Dylan or Jimi Hendrix tee may earn you extra respect.

Not allowed

Failing to order from the menu: there’s a 2-item per person minimum for all shows.

Amenities

Table service, souvenir clothing for purchase

Address

Cafe Wha? is located at 115 Macdougal Street in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, just southwest of Washington Square Park and off Sixth Avenue. It’s easy to reach via public transport, either subway or bus.

Driving

Driving isn’t recommended in Manhattan due to the traffic and difficulty (and expense) of parking; it’s also better to leave the car behind if you plan on drinking. If you must drive, head toward Washington Square Park—there are some parking garages in the area.

Public transportation

To reach the club via subway, take the A, B, C, D, E, F, or M trains to West 4th Street/Washington Square, a couple of blocks away. You can also reach the area via bus: M55 stops at Sixth Avenue and West 3rd Street.

Best times to visit

Live music typically begins at 6pm or 7pm and continues until 12.30am on weekdays and 1.40am on weekends.

Best days to visit

Cafe Wha? is typically closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The house band covers classics from Thursday to Sunday. If traveling with older teens, over-16s are welcome on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Best months to visit

New York City is a year-round destination, but June through August and November to December are peak tourism seasons—book tickets in advance if you’re traveling then.