About this vendor
The Best Damn Band in New York City!
Performing 3-5 nights a week at our namesake club in Greenwich Village in addition to 60-70 weddings and private events a year around the world. The Cafe Wha? House Band is the busiest and most exciting band of it's kind on the east coast. Founded in 1988, the Cafe Wha? Band has grown from it's humble beginnings on the legendary club on Macdougal Street to a powerhouse in demand band for weddings, parties, corporate events, and just about anything else that you could need music for.
From large 16 piece ensembles to small string quartets, The Cafe Wha? Band can deliver the exact vibe you're looking for, and do it with pizzazz and excitement that cannot be matched.
Reach out now to discuss your event with us and we'll have you set up with "The Best Damn Band in New York City" in no time!
Details
Instruments
- Bass
- Cello
- Fiddle
- Guitar
- Keyboard
- Organ
Music Genres
- Classical
- Country
- Dance
- Disco
- Folk
- Hip-Hop
Music Services
- Live Music
- MC Services
- Recorded Music
- Sound Equipment
Wedding Activities
- Rehearsals & Parties
- After Party
- Wedding
- After Party
- Ceremony
- Reception
Awards and Affiliations
Pricing
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Reviews
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5
out of 5.0126 reviews
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Cafe Wha impressed wedding guests with their phenomenal music, energetic performances, and engaging interactions. Reviewers praised the band for keeping the dance floor packed all night, seamlessly transitioning between different sections of the wedding, and catering to musical preferences while maintaining a professional and collaborative approach. The band's talent, enthusiasm, and ability to create an unforgettable atmosphere at weddings were highlighted in the rave reviews, making them a highly recommended choice for couples seeking an exceptional musical experience for their special day.Review photos
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They put on the best party. Perfect song choices, amazing voices, amazing musicians, great communication setting everything up … professionals in every sense!
Cafe Wha is by far the best wedding band I've ever experienced - they played at my wedding at the Bowery Hotel and were absolutely flawless & SO talented. They interacted with the crowd & my guests were raving about them. They were by far one of my favorite parts of the wedding. 1000/10 recommend!!!!
Cafe Wha did an INCREDIBLE job performing at our wedding! Their energy kept all of our guests on the dance floor throughout the entire night. Brandon and I never stopped dancing and we couldn’t have imagined it any other way, thanks to the band!!! Our guests are still telling us how they can’t get over how unreal Cafe Wha is!!!!
Any questions?
BOOK THEM NOW! Seriously, otherwise they will have no availability left for your wedding or event for next year or beyond. Our daughter’s wedding was last weekend and it was easily the BEST decision ever. Our daughter knew that was the band she wanted as she had heard them at Cafe Wha? music venue, however we didn’t. Music and food to us were the most important of the day. We definitely did not need to worry. From the first email contact and subsequent phone conversations (Hap is the best), and intro to the bandleader (amazing) for our day, all those conversations were professional, knowledgeable and so easy! We always felt heard in what we wanted the day to look like and when we asked for opinions and recommendations…they were always honest and forthcoming and collaborative. Any email was answered fast! Day of was perfection! They literally and figuratively rock! From the ceremony musicians to the cocktail hour musicians to the incredible band the place was rocking! Dance floor packed all night! It was seamless and flawless. They brought their amazing music into our world on the most special day of our lives! BOOK THEM NOW. You will have zero regrets.
The Cafe Wha? band played our wedding a few weeks ago and they truly brought the house down! We have nothing but amazing things to say - Hap is an incredible music director and the musicians up on the stage absolutely crushed it. They made sure that our wedding was the blast of a party that we had always dreamed of. Would 10 out of 10 recommend them to anyone looking to make sure their special day is incredible and fun!
Cafe Wha? was the best wedding band we could have ever asked for! Thanks to Cafe Wha?, it was the most insanely fun and magical night of our lives. Every single person couldn’t stop talking about how amazing the band was, how lively they made the whole night, and how talented they all are. They performed at our ceremony, cocktail hour and reception, and everything was perfect.
Cafe Wha led by Mike was the band at our wedding 7/13, they were amazing!!!! We had the best time, the dance floor was packed, and everyone keeps telling us how amazing the band was that night! Mike worked closely with us before the wedding to ensure we had a game plan for what types of music they were going to play, and it all came to fruition at the party!
I highly recommend hiring Cafe Wha for your next event!!! Thank you all!!!
We loved working with Cafe Wha? for our wedding. The management and band leader were responsive to our needs and very flexible! They listened to our musical requests while leading the charge on the dance floor for the night. They gave great recommendations to keep the party going. I’d definitely work with them again!
We're really happy with Cafe Wha as our wedding band. They did a great job from start to finish.
We got to see them play at their club before booking, which was a nice preview of their talent. On our wedding day, the music was great throughout the reception.
They did a wonderful job with our first dance, and got everyone to join in on the dance floor for the rest of the evening (our guest list had a big age range); we had a blast.
For bonus points: we were really impressed by how they handled an unexpected issue during the reception. When there was a little venue-related snafu (not their fault), they stepped up and got everyone dancing while it was being fixed, even though they were on their break.
If you're looking for a band that can deliver a flawless experience, we'd definitely recommend Cafe Wha. They helped make our wedding day memorable.
HOLY MOLY WHAT A BLAST! The Cafe Wha? Band is a fun, energetic, incredibly talented and phenomenal Band. We had the best time at our wedding and practically every single guest was out busting it on the dance floor. 10/10- bravo!!!
Best wedding band around! We worked with the Cafe Wha? Band for my wedding over the last year plus and it was one of the best experiences we had with a vendor. Hap and Ben were always super responsive, open to having us onsite to check out the band live or pass along any info that we needed. That was before they even played the night of the wedding. They are the most talented group of musicians around. They had the dance floor full the entire night and accomodated a ton of our requests. I would hire them for any event I'm putting together down the road. They made the wedding and were awesome start to finish.
We had a great experience with Café Wha? Mike served as our band leader and was wonderful. He met with us beforehand and worked with our wedding planner and the site-team on a walkthrough prior to the wedding to ensure that everything would be all set from a logistics perspective. We loved Café Wha?’s song selection as it made for a great party and really brought folks to the dance floor. We received so many compliments about the band and would highly recommend Café Wha?!
Hands down the best investment we made for our wedding. Cafe Wha? absolutely KILLED it at our wedding and we had SO MUCH FUN thanks to them. So many guests reported to us that this is the best wedding band they've ever seen. The dance floor was packed all night with guests of all ages. My husband and I literally missed eating dessert because we were going too hard on the dance floor. Every single song that came on we would freak out with joy and excitement, singing along. The band involved us in the festivities by coming onto the dancefloor and having my husband and I sing into the microphone, the horns players came down and played right next to me, the main singer had me start a conga line, and then they called us up to boogie onstage with whoever else wanted to come for the last song. Oh and they do an excellent horah! They made us feel so special and listened to our requests in terms of must play and do not play. Every single band member is beyond talented and we want to be friends with them all. WORTH EVERY PENNY! OBSESSED! INCREDIBLE! :)
There is no doubt that the most important component of a party other than people is the music. Cafe Wha and Ben the band leader delivered an unbelievable night of music. They performed 6 hours of outstanding performances starting with the ceremony at my daughters wedding to an evening filled with music that was thoughtfully curated and perfectly executed as per the vision of the bride and groom. They kept people on their feet on the dance floor the entire evening.
I can't say enough how amazing they were and made our special day a SPECTACULAR one!!!
I don't even know where to begin with my review for Cafe Wha? Band! They are the BEST OF THE BEST. My husband and I came across them when attending the regular House Band shows at Cafe Wha? on the lower west side. From the first time we saw them we KNEW we had to have them as our wedding band. They were the first vendor I called and locked in as soon as we determined our wedding date. Of course the entire wedding day was a dream come true, but a huge part of that dream coming true was having Cafe Wha?Band as our entertainment for the evening. We had them provide a trio for cocktail hour, the full band for reception, and a DJ for our after-party. From start to finish, they were incredible across all aspects. Our family, friends, and all guests continue to rave about how amazing they were - the talent and energy they brought all night long was unmatched! Guests still continue to rave about how phenomenal they were and how they "simply could not get off the dance floor". Working with Hap, Ben, and their team throughout the entire process was easy and always a pleasure. They really know how to understand exactly what you're looking for and bring it to life, while providing their expertise and guidance along the way. We are forever grateful to have had Cafe Wha? be our wedding entertainment and I truly don't think I could recommend anyone better. RUN (don't walk) to book them for your special day!!!!!
We didn’t stop dancing the entire night!!! Everyone keeps raving about the music.
Hire Cafe Wha now!!! Mike and his group were incredible! Truly there are no words. From start to finish, they were professional, energetic, played perfect song choices, and kept to our timeline exactly. There was not one minute that our dance floor was not packed and people are still talking about the band. They interacted with us so beautifully and played off the crazy energy of the crowd. It was absolutely perfect!! Hap worked with us every step of the way with patience and kindness to ensure the party was exactly what we envisioned!!
Cafe Wha was, by far, the best part of our wedding. They understood the vibe, knew when to play songs that matched that vibe, and overall the sound was impeccable. Their last song of the night still has our friends reminiscing months later.
Melissa and Michael had told us Cafe Wah was the best band ever... and our planner confirmed their choice as the best band she has heard ... but Mike and Hap, you guys exceeded our highest expectations!
We cannot thank you enough for continually raising the spirits and energy of all the love in the room all night long! From an absolutely beautiful procession through the cocktail party and for 4 hours of an amazing party, the band was beyond fantastic! Our guests can't stop raving about you all and we could not have been happier working with such talented, kind, wonderful musicians and people!
So thank you for being a huge part of making this milestone life event really epic!
I can't say enough good things about Cafe Wha? We hired a trio (two guitars + keyboard with vocals) for our cocktail hour and ceremony, and it was perfect. The team was so kind, flexible, and talented. We had a very small, intimate wedding, but Cafe Wha has robust capabilities to cater to all your wedding needs (including DJs, lighting, larger bands, photobooths, and more) for larger events. I am already looking forward to my next opportunity to work with them!
We’d seen Cafe Wha? at their spot in NYC and once engaged and discovered they play at events knew it would be incredible to have them play our wedding. This band is so talented. So professional. So fun and worth every penny. Our guests who were familiar were over the moon to be seeing them live in Vermont and those who had never heard of them were blown away. I can’t tell you the number of guests who said, “I can’t believe they are playing these songs I’ve never heard this at a wedding before.” We wanted our wedding to be a party and Cafe Wha? made it happen. The cherry on top is that we get to re-live the vibes anytime we want down on MacDougal street.
Ultimate professionals. Cafe Wha? Band blew the roof off my daughter's wedding. The cocktail and dinner music was superb, and the dance music was truly epic. All of our friends and family were breathless, gushing with excitement. We can't thank them enough for making our daughter's wedding so special.
We were absolutely blown away with how incredible the entire experience with Cafe Wha? was from start to finish. So many of our friends and family came up to us and said "that band was phenomenal" because these guys truly are! The dance floor was PACKED the entire night! We couldn't have asked for a better evening and Cafe Wha? was a huge part of that! We can't wait to come to the club and see everyone again!
We first saw Cafe Wha at a friend's wedding in June 2021 - when we got engaged a few months later the first decision that we made was that we absolutely had to have Cafe Wha at our wedding... and we are so glad we did!! From start to finish, Cafe Wha was professional, communicative, and knowledgable when it comes to weddings and music selection. The dance floor was PACKED all night and our guests are still raving about the band even months later. We truly believe that Cafe Wha is the absolute best band in the business!
Cafe Wha is an exceptional band. My daughters wedding was an incredible success because of this band. Every musician and singer was exceptional. We danced from beginning to end. They read the audience so well and knew when to play certain types of genres. There were times when we did not see one person in their seat. They had support help monitoring the sound and worked incredibly
Well with the technicians at the
Venue. Just over the moon from this band
Cafe Wha performed at our wedding in June and they were truly the highlight of our wedding. They were seamless from start to finish and brought the best energy and magic to our night. People are still commenting on the band and we've lost count of how many people told us it was the best wedding band they've heard. The musicians are incredible and the vocalists can SING.
Sure, everyone wants the occasional slower songs for the father/bride dance or mother/groom dance, but what really makes the party is how well the band rocks the house. This band brings the house down! The talent of every band member is - at times - astounding. We had guests saying they felt like they were at a concert (while they danced and partied the night away). Live bands are a serious investment, but if you want the couple and the guests to really have a night to remember, spend less on other stuff if you have to, and book this band ! The wedding was days ago and we're we're still reliving the party - in large part - because of the band. Thank you Cafe Wha x 1000 !
They say that the weekend your adult child gets married is the among the most amazing experiences in life: like bringing a baby home from the hospital, first smile, graduation, etc all wrapped in one. So true!!! I am still floating on adrenaline.
Speaking of adrenaline, WOW!!!!!! Among the many great decisions that we made - booking Cafe Wha was truly at the top!!!!! The wedding planner told me that our event was the first time ever that she looked out and saw every single one of the 190 guests on the dance floor!!!!! The music was so great, the energy was so high, and the playlist so flawlessly 'read the room' that no one wanted to sit!!! These guys are amazing!!!
The band is energetic, always smiling - I felt like they were as much a part of the celebration as our guests were!! Truly, all in!!!!
We cannot imagine having our reception with any band besides Cafe Wha?!!! Hap and Ben made the pre-wedding communication process so easy and informative. They were easy to reach at any time, worked with our wedding planner to coordinate all logistics to travel down to Florida, and they even set up a phone call with us a month before to discuss music selections and preferences. Their song choices were incredible and tailored to everyone in the crowd, the music and vocals were unmatched and they had every one of our guests on the dance floor all night. They also seamlessly transitioned every song into the next that left people in awe that it the music was really live and not digitally mixed. They interacted with the crowd and even brought us on stage for the last couple songs to sing and dance with them. WE LOVE CAFE WHA!!!!! Thank you for making our wedding the best night of our lives!!!! We can't wait to visit in NYC and relive the night!!!
The Cafe Wha Band was absolutely incredible. They absolutely made our event the dance party we had hoped for. We got SO many compliments on the band from everyone at the wedding. In addition to being incredible performers, they were a pleasure to work with. They nailed every single one of our requests. The BEST band among countless weddings we've been to.
Stop what you're doing and book this band for your wedding now- I cannot put into words how incredible the Cafe Wha band was at our wedding. Not only did they have the music going NONSTOP, but they interacted with our guests and kept the crowd going all night. Mike, our band leader, was an absolute pleasure to work with and fully understood what kind of vibe we were looking for. We had every single guest reach out after the wedding to tell us that they were the best wedding band they had ever seen. My husband and I planned our entire wedding around their availability because we knew we had to have them. Thank you Cafe Wha band for making our wedding the most unforgettable night!
Cafe Wha is INCREDIBLE. Pretty much the first thing we did when we started planning our wedding was book them. We saw the band at a friends wedding and they blew us away. They are so amazingly talented, professional, and I felt 1000% confident they’d absolutely crush it at our wedding. I didn’t want any of our guests to stop dancing and Cafe Wha made sure of that. They played through the whole wedding and so many of our guests went out of their way to tell us how awesome they were. Our night would not have been anywhere close to the same without them.. booking them will be the easiest decision you make while planning your wedding or event!!!!
Cafe Wha was hands down the best part about our wedding! Guests were on the dance floor all night long. The band was engaged, belting out our favorite songs, entertaining our guests with spectacular performances. Multiple guests said this was the best wedding band they had ever seen! I am a huge fan of Cafe Wha from the club in the village, and their performance at my wedding was equally as amazing!
They were unbelievable for our wedding...smooth transitions between every song, deep library of songs, HIGH energy to keep the party going all night long, came into the crowd to add some fun to the room and more. They also were so accommodating for our requests. Mike L. was a killer band leader.
I've been to plenty of weddings with the top-name bands in the industry - Cafe Wha? should be in the same conversation as these bands, perhaps considered even better. I'd recommend them to anyone in a heartbeat!
Cafe Wha exceeded expectations from start to finish. Their responsiveness and help with planning / coordinating was top notch. They were so easy to work with and are absolute professionals at what they do. The stars of the show were the performers - our wedding reception party was such a blast thanks to Cafe Wha! We can't tell you how many of our friends and family came up to us and said "that band was unbelievable" because they truly were! Thank you Cafe Wha for making our wedding day so special and so much fun!
Cafe Wha? made our daughter's wedding such an incredible party and they blew our guests away. From the moment they kicked off, our guests entered the reception tent and went straight to the dance floor- didn't even go to their tables! Mike and every member of the band and tech crew are word class professionals and entertainers. We had such high expectations for them having seen them perform at their Club in NYC and they so exceeded them !! can't say enough about them and our guests are still talking about how great they were.
Run, don’t walk to hire Cafe Wha? for your wedding!!! We never thought of having a band for our wedding until we saw Cafe Wha? a few years ago at our friends’ wedding. Then we said we must have a band and it has to be this band. So that’s exactly what we did.
Cafe Wha? is not only the most talented group of musicians we have ever seen at a wedding, but also the most professional. We’ve never seen a band know how to read a room so well. Our food was a little late to be served at our wedding and the band hopped right back up on stage to fit in more dancing for us to keep the energy going.
They were highly responsive, kind, and easy to work with. They make you feel so excited and reassured about your wedding through the entire process, and ensure you and your guests have the time of your lives! Worth every penny.
Had my daughters wedding this past Sunday. After many years of using a DJ for family events and our prior daughters wedding, my daughter insisted we have Cafe Wha for her wedding. Being a music lover, I was hopeful for a great event with great music. Well....they by far exceeded my and my daughters expectations. They were off the charts great! The guests loved their music selection and the entire band, from the singers to the horns, guitars and my personal favorite, the drummer. Being a former drummer, I enjoyed his drumming all night and he topped off the evening by presenting me with his sticks at the conclusion. I had the time of my life but more importantly, my daughter and her husband had the best time and the band made their wedding perfect! I highly recommend them...they are worth every penny.
The Best Band Ever is probably an understatement. Cafe Wha was the best decision we made for our wedding. Hap, Ben and his team were amazing to work with ahead of time -- they learned songs for us, they played them brilliantly, they collaborated so well with us. The night of was SO MUCH FUN. They know how to work a crowd and get them on the dance floor. People told us it was the best band and dance floor at a wedding ever. They brought us up at the end, it could not have been fun or perfect. My GOD are the band members talented. Some of the most amazing singers and musicians I've seen. This is a no brainer choice!! Cafe Wha, thank you!!!
Incredible from start to finish! Hap made the booking and planning process as easy as it could be. The band is AMAZING. Our guests were blown away about how much fun they were and how talented they are. They have everything planned perfectly so there is always someone playing. There were times in the night it really sounded like a recording but they were just that good!!!
We sent this thank you note to Ben & the band at Cafe Wha, and I think it speaks for itself:
"There aren’t words to describe the amount of gratitude we feel for you and the band on Saturday. Everyone says that a great wedding can really make or break a band and it’s true— most all of our guests have consistently told us that our wedding was the best they’d ever been to. The talent of the musicians, the song selections, the ability to seize the moment, the way you perfectly played our song choices (including the Louis Armstrong La Vie En Rose which is no easy task!!!)— everything was INCREDIBLE!!!
As I think we may have told you when we first met, the whole reason we chose to have a big wedding was to throw a hell of a dance party, and thanks to you and all of the incredible musicians on Saturday, our dream came true!!!"
Hiring Cafe Wha for our wedding was one of the best choices we made, and you won't regret it!
Mother of the Bride here--- we are from chicago wedding was in Brooklyn - BEST WEDDING BAND- Benjamin who is in charge is omg the best. Our guests are still talking about the band!They truly completed the perfect wedding!!! Would use them over and over if we could!
A month after our wedding and people are still talking about them. Exceeded our expectations. Trust them!
Cafe Wha? Band was amazing! They have the most talented musicians and singers. The energy they brought to our wedding was incredible. Everyone was up dancing the entire night. In addition, the music for the ceremony and the cocktail hour was perfect too. They are so professional and easy to deal work with. There is not one person who I have spoken to since the wedding who has not commented on how great the band was. I would hire them again in a minute!
Cafe Wha was a great band to work with from start to finish. The communication up front in terms of coordinating and hammering out the x's and o's was highly professional. And then on stage, they put on a performance of a lifetime. They are so well put together, have amazing musicians, and it really feels like you are part of a concert when they play, not just a wedding band. They can bring the energy and music to any party and make it a better party. Say yes if given the opportunity!
Cafe Wha was incredible! They brought great energy and are very talented singers. We had the best night of our lives! They followed our music preferences perfectly and were very professional from our first outreach
This band of absolutely fabulous musicians will truly make your wedding party everyone’s night to remember. Don’t think twice about the price; they are worth every penny, plus some. They are also a lot of fun to be with. Your guests will enjoy recovering the next day.
I truly do not even know where to begin!! Cafe wha is not a wedding band, they are a PARTY. While they can do the traditional wedding songs (and rock it), my recommendation is to let this band do what they do best… their insanely creative mash ups, their shredding on guitar and their ability to keep everyone dancing all night. We have not stopped getting calls from our friends and family telling us that the band was the best they’ve ever heard!
There is no other choice but them!!
Not to mention they were amazing to work with! So accommodating and professional.
When we were planning our wedding, we knew we wanted to have live music, but dreaded the thought of the typical "wedding band". When we heard the house band from the vaunted Cafe Wha? did weddings and were available, we knew we found the perfect act for our wedding. Hap and his team were incredible. Professional and flexible and most importantly they injected a VIBE into our special day. You're making a mistake if you look anywhere else.
Highly recommend this band and vendor. They were absolutely fantastic - great to work with, flexible, and very talented musically.
Cafe Wha! was the absolute best part of our wedding reception. They are truly phenomenal! SO many of our wedding guests said this was the best band they've ever heard at a wedding. Cafe Wha had our dance floor packed ALL NIGHT, even before the bridal party entered the reception.
Even our cocktail hour music was amazing - Ben and Mike made great recommendations on instruments and songs, and catered to our wedding theme with Christmas music. It was absolutely perfect. They also played throughout the entire night - in my opinion, some of the best music they played was some beautiful acoustic love songs during dinner - it was such a fabulous touch. A few couples even got up from the dinner table to dance!
Cafe Wha brought the energy all night, and they are so so talented. Our wedding wouldn't have been the same without them! Highly, highly, recommend them - worth every penny!
Hap and Ben were amazing to work with throughout the process and the band absolutely KILLED. They read the crowd perfectly from moment to moment and had people dancing all night long. Robin absolutely brought the house down. Our wedding was so fun and that was entirely due to Cafe Wha Band. I've been to plenty of weddings with other famous NYC area wedding bands but Cafe Wha is totally unique and special, with a huge selection of songs beyond the standard wedding set list, mash-ups and remixes, and the energy of the Cafe Wha club in Greenwich Village. They are worth every penny and then some!
Cafe Wha? made our big day. They were absolutely incredible, knowing exactly what to play and when to play it, to keep the party going all night. We had complaints from friends/family for days because their legs were so sore from never leaving the dance floor. Our band leader Mike was so accommodating leading up to the big day. Their playlist and execution were perfect, they even let us perform a song with the band, which was a dream for my wife to play drums at her wedding. No one could say enough amazing things about this band and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Far and away the best Wedding band I've ever seen and we have been to a LOT of weddings.
We saw the Cafe Wha band at Cafe Wha on MacDougal Street multiple times before our wedding, so we already knew we were in amazing hands and that they work the room really well. That said, they still exceeded our already incredibly high expectations on our wedding night. As soon as the party began, everyone was on the dance floor. We had many comments throughout the night about how amazing the band was, and it was truly a masterful performance, song after song.
With regards to planning, Ben was a pleasure to coordinate with, and was very accommodating and responsive to any requests and questions we had. He was also very direct and clear in what we could expect.
Overall it was just an incredible experience. Thank you Cafe Wha for a wedding party we will never forget!
We truly cannot say enough about how positive our experience has been working with Cafe Wha for our wedding. The dance floor was packed the entire night, all of our friends and family have commented that they have never experienced energy like that before and that the band truly was spectacular. While not surprised, we were so impressed with Cafe Wha, and had a great experience working directly with Hap and Mike leading up to the wedding. I-Despite multiple COVID wedding date reschedules, Cafe Wha was flexible and supportive throughout the entire process, and the party was certainly worth the wait.
The night entirely exceeded all expectations, I know we are biased, but we are not the only ones that have said it was one of the best parties people have been to - and we know that the music and dancing was at the center of that experience. We could not recommend the Cafe Wha band more highly
Café Wha was at its magnificent best and simply extraordinary at my daughter's wedding. Mike, Amadou, and team could not have been any better. They truly rocked The Lighthouse and all our guests had a truly spectacular time. The music and the band were stunning. And the DJ at the after-party was voted all around as the best after-party DJ of all time!! Between the wedding support, the amazing Café Wha band, and the after-party DJ, we could not have asked for anything more. AMAZING!! AMAZING!! AMAZING!!
Cafe Wha? was tremendous! The music had the guests dancing all night. They are professionally managed and fulfilled everything we agreed to in the contract. We had a blast!
The Cafe Wha? band was hands down the best choice we could have made for our big day. I can't say enough good things. Not only are they an incredibly talented group of musicians but they also make the entire reception run smoothly and fill the room with an unexplainable magical energy.
Hap and Ben were fantastic to work with and made sure to create a set list perfect for me and my husband. From the minute guests arrive to the end of the night the Cafe Wha? band is playing and giving your guests a night of dancing they will never forget. If they are available for your big day, hire them!
Cafe Wha is the best wedding investment we made and hopefully, you make. They are extraordinarily talented, exceptional people and professionals. The moment they walk into a room be prepared to listen to the most incredible band you will ever experience. Our guests have not stopped raving about how amazing they were. They kept the energy super high; everyone was dancing the entire night for 3 hours. We had guests singing and dancing that we've never even seen them move before. The evening was so contagious and memorable. As a vendor, they are responsive, organized, and attentive. Both Ben and Mike ensured the best for our wedding day. We truly loved every second we got to experience this team of talent. Please go check them out in Greenwich Village they're phenomenal. The right entertainment makes the event. You aren't investing in a "wedding band." You're investing in musical talent just as you would invest in going to see any rock show or concert. They are god-tiered talent and you will not regret it.
If you ask our guests about our wedding, the first thing they exclaim is "OMG, THE BAND!". Cafe Wha was the highlight of our wedding. They flawlessly bring the same energy, sound, and fun that they create at the club in the village. They sound incredible, play music everyone knows and loves, and can read a room like no other. Our guests were on their feet dancing the whole time because they played song after song people loved, a huge feat while the band seamlessly switched up genres and decades.
Ben & Hap were extremely communicative in advance of the wedding - we discussed music taste, guests/audience, vibe, attire and collaborated on the run of show in order to ensure a smooth and seamless event. In addition to fantastic music they were also able to help coordinate confetti & cold sparks for some extra fun elements. As both a bride and a producer in the events industry, I would recommend them over and over every time. Don't hesitate because their dates will be gone fast because they are SO GOOD! I'm already looking forward to the next wedding I attend or produce to work with them again!
Cafe Wha is a totally professional and outstanding band. They accommodated all requests sent ahead of time. The music was endless and they played so seamlessly. I could not stop dancing and singing the entire night.
The Cafe Wha house band was the last live music we saw on 3/7/20 before everything shut down for COVID so you can imagine how THRILLED we were when we saw that they had an opening on our wedding date on 7/31/21. They came, they rocked the house, and my guests are still talking about it. Thank you Ben and Hap and everyone for making our day absolutely perfect!
Prior to the pandemic me and my Fiancé went downtown to see the Cafe Wha band to watch them play and they were the first band we looked at. After watching them play that day we had no doubt …they were the band! Trust me you will not regret it! Due to the pandemic we had to postpone our wedding but decided to get legally married in a small ceremony on our original date in 2020. Hap was absolutely amazing by coordinating with my mom the perfect surprise! Via zoom the Cafe Wha band recorded Signed Sealed Delivered to congratulate us on our wedding day!
We finally had our wedding this weekend, the band was just incredible! Hap and Ben made it a breeze coordinating all the details and selecting all the song choices! The band had all the guests on their feet all night long! The compliments we received from our guests were incredible. From the minute guests arrived they were amazed! Thanks again for the best night ever!
Having the Cafe Wha? band is not like hiring a typical wedding band, this is like having The Stones or another big time band play your event!! The talent level is so much higher than any band I have seen play a wedding. Cafe Wha? raises the level of the event to new highs, the dance floor is cooking 100% of the time. Instrumentally and vocally they are beyond compare! And they are true pros, always going the extra mile to make it memorable and perfect! In addition to that, they are a sweet group of people.
Cafe Wha was fantastic. We had to re-plan our wedding in light of Covid and despite a tight timeline, Cafe Wha couldn't have been easier to work with in the days leading up to the wedding. They MADE our wedding day! We look forward to working with them again next year.
Cafe Wha's four-person band was the perfect way for our "micro-wedding" to still feel so fun and special. Kim and the team did a fantastic job of reading the room and playing great hits for cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. From "Georgia on My Mind" to "Can't Stop the Feeling," we loved every song they played.
The band was amazing. Our guests cant stop talking about them! Mike and the band crushed it and played songs from motown to alternative music. Robin did a solo version of Zombies by the Cranberries that had people talking about it for a month. The band played the song Sweet lovin by Sigala and it was even better than we could have imagined with the instrumentals and vocals. Every band member was more impressive than the next. Thanks for a great job. We highly recommend the band to make your wedding.
The most amazing band!!! They can really rip, and made our wedding night the most amazing celebration! We could not have been any happier. They are also extremely professional, friendly, responsive and worked with us on rescheduling when we had to make a lot of changes last minute due to covid. We are beyond grateful that we chose this band - they are THE BEST!
Music sets the tone for your wedding and hiring Cafe Wha? was the best decision, ever! Their phenomenal performance matched their extreme professionalism. It is easy to give them 5 stars and recommend them to anyone.
so easy to contact and easy to communicate with. Their clarity in planning was appreciated and led to a stress free process. Knowing what i Know now, i'd just answer the questions they have and let them take over. Would recommend this band any day. They music variety and artist quality was incredible. All around perfect.
Cafe Wha was absolutely awesome. They truly brought the house down. We had friends tell us that they were the best band they had ever heard at a wedding.
What we loved about Cafe Wha was that they played music and selected band members that were right for us. Ben, our wonderful bandleader, asked for our genre preferences, and built the playlist around that. We trusted him to select the right dancing music—rather than being too specific—and it worked out very well.
We had one big request: a very long hora. When we talked to them about this, they suggested we hire Shlomo Haviv, a Hebrew specialist who works with the band often. Shlomo and Cafe Wha gave us the most energetic hora we could have asked for. We were so glad they recommended him.
One last plus for Cafe Wha - you can go see them before deciding to book at their venue downtown, where they play almost every night of the week. That cinched the decision for us. Run, don’t walk—you will be glad you did!
Cafe Wha absolutely exceeded our expectations! We are still hearing from guests (young and old) that the band was the best they had ever heard at a wedding. People danced all night, and even some guests that we expected to sit down early were up dancing and having a great time late into the evening.
The performance quality was excellent. In addition to technical skill, every single musician had incredible energy and kept the crowd dancing and excited.
The song selections were also on point. Ben (the band leader) was fantastic to work with - he was organized, proactive, calm, and flexible throughout the planning process and executed seamlessly the night of the wedding.
All I can say is WOW!!! From start to finish, Ben Chuchinsky and the Café Wha Band gave my wife and me unbelievable comfort – just knowing we were in good hands. Wedding celebrations with family and friends can be stressful enough trying to manage all the details for an elegant affair. But having the peace of mind knowing you’ve partnered with true professionals allowed us to sleep at night prior to the event . . . and then party the night away during the evening. Café Wha’s excitement and energy set the tone for the room and all involved. Even before the wedding party was announced, we had guests out on the dance floor grooving to the tunes as soon as they entered the ballroom – it was awesome! The band never stops – continuous music throughout the various food courses . . . with soulful individual instrumental and vocal background music that allows for quality table conversation; combined with high-energy, full-sound dance music that keeps the momentum and love flowing – now that’s a party! All night long, guest after guest, paid the highest compliments about the quality of the band. The best part about Café Wha is the people – they are dedicated, caring professionals . . . who love what they do, and it shows . . . you can feel the passion exuding from the stage! A word about Ben – a consummate band leader, businessman and gentleman. Ben is pro-active, responsive, and he leaves nothing to chance – working with your other hired professionals to ensure a seamless, flawless event of your dreams. Thank you, Ben . . . you gave us, our friends and family an exceptional experience to remember . . . for a long, long time . . . and we’ll be back in touch when it’s time to plan for our next ‘bucket list’ affair!
Cafe Wa is a great band. They had our guests on the dance floor all evening! The musician's and singers are incredibly talented!
My husband and I live in the City and have been going to Cafe Wha for years to hear the house band play. So when we decided to get married, we didn't think twice: we HAD to have Cafe Wha play our wedding. We were so adamant that we actually coordinated our wedding date based on their availability. So book ASAP!
They are not your typical 'wedding' band. They are exceptional on every level. All of their musicians play to the highest level and put on a SHOW. They were the highlight of our wedding and brought the party all.night.long. Our guests still cannot stop talking about their off-the-charts performance they put on, how spectacular the music was, and I heard 'Best Band Ever' too many times to count.
Shout out to Hap for making it happen and the band: Ben, Mike Davis, Kim, Amadou, and Robin for absolutely rocking it. We wish we could plan another party to have them play again!!
Kate Edmonds Events has had the pleasure of working with Hap, Cafe Wha? and company several times this year. Not only was the music top notch the band leader Aaron was a pleasure to work with throughout the wedding receptions.
Our clients thoroughly enjoyed the showcases as did we :)
We're looking forward to working with these fabulous musicians again very soon.
Cafe Wha? is the absolute BEST!! We booked our wedding around their availability after that played my brother’s wedding. From working with Hap for booking, through meeting your band leader and the day of the event this team is made up of pros. Go to the cafe wha in New York and see this group and you will look nowhere else. The day after our wedding every single guest we saw told us how blown away they were by the band. Thanks for making our day PERFECT!!
The BEST wedding band there is. They are SO good. I get chills thinking about how talented they are and how fun my wedding was because of them. Book them, you will not regret it!!
Cafe Wha is truly an awesome band. They can play music for all ages and really hype up the crowd. They are so talented, fun and friendly. I am very happy we chose them for our wedding band!!!
The Cafe Wha? Band hit a grand slam home run at our event. Everyone was blown away by how great these musicians are. The positive energy and great vibes were there from the first chord to the last song. Very professional, great management to work with, on time, read the crowd perfectly. Unbelievably perfect band to rock our event. Thanks to all of the Cafe Wha ? family for making our daughters wedding night a complete success !
There are wedding bands... and then there are BANDS that play at weddings... we chose to go with the second one :) BEST DECISION WE HAVE EVER MADE.
I've been coming to Cafe Wha? for YEARS and just got married last Saturday and had Cafe Wha as our wedding band. It was single handedly the MOST amazing music, voices, instruments etc. I've ever heard. Kim, Hap and the rest of the team made all of our dreams come true and played their hearts out. Every single person was on the dance floor the ENTIRE night. I couldn't have asked for a better wedding band. THANK YOU!
When picking vendors for our wedding, the band was a top priority. We wanted everyone dancing all night and wanted music that appealed to us and our friends (late twenties) and to our older family members as well. Cafe Wha killed it. Our guests are still talking about how good the band was a month later. There was never a lull in the night. Every single musician is amazingly talented and brought so much energy to our wedding night. They are seriously unlike any other elite wedding band out there. Just to give you a sense of how epic they were - at midnight, when the reception ended, the entire 240 person room started chanting "one more song, one more song." And of course, they delivered!
I could not recommend Cafe Wha more. Ben and Hap were so easy to work with, and made planning fun and seamless. They are 100% worth the price and more.
Absolutely fantastic band - every musician and singer so very talented!
Incredible!! Cafe Wha? performed at my wedding a couple of weeks ago and they were beyond amazing. Each member of the band was so incredibly talented. They were also so easy to work with and very accommodating. They took the time to listen to all of our needs / requests and followed through on each. It was perfect. They even learned a song that my dad wrote for me and my now-husband and performed it with him. It was the most magical night and I owe a lot of that to this band. I can’t even count how many people have come up to me after the wedding saying they were the best wedding band they’ve ever seen. They are performing at my sisters wedding next summer also and we are so happy that we booked them twice! Honestly - AMAZING.
Cafe Wha!!!.... Everyone at the wedding could not stop talking about the band! "Where did you find this band? Who is this band?"
We asked the same thing the first time we saw Cafe Wah at a wedding many years ago- way before we were even engaged. But one thing we knew was that whenever the time came we would be using Cafe Wah. Cafe Wah's performance is like going to a concert. They can play any song and make it their own and in a way you've never heard before. They were just amazing to work with and took our vision and made it come to life. They cater to the crowd and are the absolute best around. They made our wedding!