Communist eye sore. Food and environment are both disgusting as well as the people. Anti american propaganda decorates every-wall. Surprised its not shut down yet for being so dirty. Send an inspector ASAP. read more

one of the cooler venues i've been to! of course comparable to the smell, but with a somewhat more earthy feel. or maybe that's just the forest behind talking. the venue itself has a very cool design that reminds me of my cousin's house in the woods of michigan. we had to drive almost 2 hours to get here from orange county so i was a little disappointed when i discovered their kitch closed. i'm not a big fan of vegan food but i was anxious to try. luckily(?) me and my friends made it early so we just grabbed a bite at the whole foods market nearby. the cover was $7 to see marissa nadler (dark folk singer) and astra (psychedelic rock). not a great fit to see on a bill together, but cheap and i love both these bands. the guy working the door was a sweetheart and according to him you can get in free if you volunteer for the door or kitchen. parking.. hm. was a nice walk, haha. it's uc campus parking, i can't say much more. but it was only 2 dollars so that's alright. would make the drive again to see my favourite psych/folk/etc bands! read more

Looking at some of the prior reviews, I can't believe how much rock fans have lost their edge. Have any of you ever been to a punk show?? Yeah, MOST rock bars, clubs, and venues smell bad. They're filthy, they're dark, they're dingy, they're DIY, and they're like that for a reason: to keep whiny people who are used to auditorium seating out! I'm sorry that your experience wasn't like when you went to see Muse or Mumford & Sons, but most of your favorite bands started out playing in dark little dingy joints like the Che Cafe. I'm sorry no one led you to your seat with a flashlight. The Che Cafe is a true little haven for good local music. Yes, you'll have to forgo the usual comforts of an amphitheater to see some great local bands, and there is no elevated stage, no proper seating, and you'll have to rub elbows with all sorts, and in this venue, with all sorts of all ages. I'm glad that this place exists, though, because it does give kids a great little spot to check out good music, and it provides bands a way to connect with a younger demographic. The decor and motif of the place celebrate themes of revolutionary thinking, and though it may promote it with varying degrees of success, I appreciate the fact that it allows kids of all ages some exposure to different ideas. I've been here several times, and the crowd response is often among the best in San Diego! Being a musician, I can tell you that playing to all that energy is FAR better than playing to a roomful of apathetic, drunk adults. The people complaining about the venue here on Yelp are those same people who order cosmopolitans at a Casualties show and then get upset because some rowdy kid in the audience made them spill their drink, so they trash the venue and the band for it. The next time you're looking for a great show, and you don't mind leaving your expensive purse at home, check out the Che Cafe! It's a great time for all ages, and if you're a kid who smokes, your mom probably won't come out of nowhere to rip that cig out of your mouth and scold you in front of your friends... When I go to a punk, indie, or hardcore show, I call it a good night if you don't get hit in the face too much, you get to see some great music, let loose, relieve some stress, and talk to some other like-minded people. The Che Cafe is a place to do all of that. read more

This place is great! This place needs to stay at UCSD, shame on some of the people there trying to defund it. Anyways yes the acoustics are somewhat crappy. The energy here is amazing. I remember when one of the singers from Get Back Loretta was dancing with us in front of the crowd. I haven't really seen anything else here. But I suggest you come here before this place gets defunded. I hope that doesn't happen. Keep up the good fight, Cafe Che! Also I don't even remember ever seeing coffee here, but whatever. read more

This is my favorite place in San Diego, I wish I didn't live so far! Such a welcoming, accepting environment. They serve Dark Horse coffee which is my absolute favorite. The only coffee I can drink black. Been to a lot of different shows here, never had a bad experience. Lots of good vegan food, good music, and good people! read more

Woot! I love this place. I've seen so many bands here over the years. I have also eaten much of their questionable food. Still, this place is great and has provided me many friends over the years. I always felt welcome here even though I'm from the OC. There is a lot of music history here. They have everything from hardcore to indie to experimental shows here. If you enjoy music, I think this is the best place in San Diego to see a good show at. read more

Awesome place, I came here for a movie night a while back. If it's summer, this place will literally feel like you're inside the sun. People are cool and it's always a good time. read more

This place was a mecca for bands in the early 90's, i've seen several awesome shows. It's a small place, but cozy.

I had the chance to preform here awhile back. It's a popular spot in San Diego and has been around a long time. Very intimate and very artsy. A perfect venue to play if you are a small indie group. The sound was OK and the vibe of the crowd was good. Highly recommend it. read more

A comfortable environment with intimate shows and about the best (and only) all ages venue in San Diego. Nothing ever starts on time, so just plan on getting there an hour late. read more

The Che is primarily a concert venue for me. I've seen some great shows here, like the Plot to Blow Up The Eiffel Tower's last show, Graf Orlock, Das Oath, I think Head Wound City played here too. I don't think I've ever paid more than five dollars to get in. Anyway, it's San Diego's equivalent of the Smell except the place is run by hippies. They have a kitchen with food that I'm sure sucks but it's never open for shows, and all sorts of flyers and pamphlets promoting some sort of feminist movement or save the whales campaign or whatever. They have great bands play but the people that come here just suck. Maybe I'm not used to the San Diego crowd but they're all dirty crust punk kids who never shower and they're all like 12 years old so they act like utter morons. People jump up on the rafters and try to start fights in the pit, I've seen singers in bands deck kids in the face because they try to pants them. If you try to go outside, there's a ton of assholes smoking. I figured that a commune of hippies would be more considerate of keeping the air clean or something. read more

Thankyou for bringing great bands to your little venue. I've had a lot of fun there.

I went to a little monologue reading here over the summer and it was such a cool experience. I like how The Che brings people together and while you're here you feel like family. At night you truly get a feel for how it's nestled right between the trees and it seems to come to life under the moonlight. read more

I will always love the Che. I have seen some serious talent and shows run through this spot but I know the Che also host many acts that I am not at into. Super small intimate feel, good for underground traveling artists. I'd say a downfall is the fact that it is on the UCSD campus, so parking is a little confusing and being over 21, I want to be able to enjoy a beer! read more

The Che is and always has been one of the best all ages venues in San Diego. I used to come here all the time when I was in high school, and still show up for shows here and there when I'm in town. Hopefully it continues to remain a great space in San Diego! read more

I've had the chance to see many amazing bands at this place as I was growing up and I am glad a place like this exists for the San Diego youth. I'm not vegan and I'm no where close to being as political as I once was, but to me it has been and will always be about the music. read more

I have been going to che for quite awhile. A lot of less mainstream acts come through here that I am dieing to see live so I appreciate the fact that I get to see them. I have been to local band shows and they kind of suck. Not the bands as much as the crowd that comes along. I have never seen such rude behavior towards performers before. Also a lot of people show up dressed up like they are trying to piss off mommy and daddy. I'm sticking to the bigger shows which are always a blast to see in such a small and intimate setting. The holier than thou hipsters seem to stay home for these shows, which is an added plus. read more

The Che Cafe is the best DIY spot in all Southern California. Awesome venue for local and touring bands, in addition to an all vegan cafe. Everyone is friendly, and everyone is very respectful of each other. I would be super bummed if we lost the Che as an venue, so go to a show there and help support the DIY scene in Sothern California. read more

As a long time volunteer, I have a pretty biased opinion of this place so I'm going to try to make my review as factual as possible. 1. The shows are always cheap (always under $10). 2. The place is run by volunteers who set up the shows because they are super into the bands and who cook food because they want to encourage others to be vegan. 3. Currently, only about half the volunteers here are vegan. 4. Most of the door money goes to the bands with the rest going towards upkeep of the space (ever wonder why it is so run down?). 5. The Che doesn't get any money from the University. In fact, the Che PAYS rent to the UC to use that space. 6. There is no curfew on shows or limit on loudness. 7. It's really far away from everything, except UCSD, and the last bus is at midnight. 8. The parking is terrible and policed until 11pm on weekdays. 9. Anyone can propose and set up a show or event at the Che. Just come to a meeting at 8:30 on Thursdays. 10. The bands that end up playing range from terrible to amazing. 11. It's a really good small intimate place to see an amazing band. 12. It's also a good place to play your first show. 13. People hang from the rafters. 14. Anyone can volunteer to help out at any event. All you have to do is say "I want to volunteer tonight". 15. Most of the volunteers are shy. That's why you think they are stuck up. 16. There are "ins & outs" so you can walk in the woods if you think the band playing sucks. I've had some of the best moments of my life at the Che; seeing Acid Mothers Temple do a 2 hour set, dancing to High Places with 20 other people, Bird Names+Frog Eyes back to back shows, Matt & Kim, No Age, Kimya Dawson, Dan Deacon, Bon Iver, Little Wings, Lucky Dragons, Yacht, Foot Village, Mt Eerie, USAisamonster, Quintron almost burning the place down, Xiu Xiu, Heavy Hawaii/Fantastic Magic, Damo Suzuki, what feels like thousands of nameless yet awesome noise bands, lots of amazing local bands and much more. I've met some of my best friends there, both from San Diego or just passing through. I'm still not vegan, but I've had some pretty good food there. Despite all the amateur sound guys, the music always sounds so sweet. read more

This is a great venue. Located in La Jolla inside UCSD, it's a small "cabin in the woods" type building with a courtyard/hang out/smoke area, surrounded by beautiful old Eucalyptus trees. The surrounding campus of UCSD is one of the prettiest campuses I have been to and is really pretty peaceful. The last time I was there parking was completely free, but I read a review saying that they now charge for parking? I should hope not, and know not to trust most that I read online these days. Anyway, the back cuts out into a dark and mysterious semi-paved trail that isn't very long at all and quickly leads near the highway, but it almost feels like you're about to venture into a forest because of the tall overhanging eucalyptus. It is an all ages, predominantly punk music venue, so you just might find a lot of underage and punk music fans coming to the shows. If this makes you cross your arms and scoff at the notion of kids of all ages having fun, getting occasionally rowdy, and enjoying their life away from home at a concert, then don't let your own grumpiness and ignorance that be the basis upon which you rate a music venue. If you want a sophisticated, structured, 21+ bar and grill with some casual music, there are plenty of those around, but don't condemn the Che for being exactly what it sets out to be: a small, all ages, friendly, punk venue and vegan cafe. As much as I love punk music, I would hope that they stay inviting to other rock-n-roll, experimental, psychedelic, etc. genre groups to play shows, as I know they have in the past. I hope that it doesn't evolve into a hardcore-only type of scene, because it seems like when I was growing up the shows were much more varied and often strayed from that of strictly punk. That would be my only criticism. read more

the best thing about the che cafe besides the shows and awesome volunteers are all the dorks who gave this place a negative review on yelp! do u even diy bro? read more

The Che Cafe is what it is: A dingy, All Ages, DIY punk / rock venue. Those place are supposed to have graffiti on the walls, loud loud speakers, and an attitude. That being said, the Che is a special place located on the UCSD fringe. The Che Garden is an area I spent many hours in my UCSD career. I even set up a 'Garden Journal' that I would leave in the 'teepee' where the stoners hung out and smoked. The amount of cool trees, fruits, etc that just keeps on growing out there year after year with no real organized maintenance. The music venue opens its doors at 8pm, music usually starts at 9pm, but shows can still go on till 12:30am or later. It is good to see a venue that the under 21 kids can go to, as they rarely stay open long (see 'The Scene'). The people that work here put so much effort into the place, give them a break if the sound isn't perfect. But remember to bring earplugs, things get LOUD in there. A great indie small venue that hopefully will be around for a long time. read more

i remember when i was younger coming to shows and playing shows here love this place. its home for many kids and its awesome that the che cafe can provide that outlet into those kids lives. they need to bring Che Fest back good times !!! read more

the fondest memories of my adolescence took place here. haven't been there in quite sometime (i've since left san diego), but the last several times i went for a show, i remember hating it. nothing annoys me more than kids that act the same way i did when i was their age. oh well. there's no age minimum, but they should impose an age limit of 20 and under - in which case everybody wins. read more

Please keep the Che alive! This is what D.I.Y. should be all about. Good shows, strong community atmosphere, and generally well maintained. Support the Che. read more

I love this venue, it's one of my favorites. First of all, don't come expecting an auditorium type of environment, the Che is volunteer-run. It's usually not packed unless there is a pretty popular band playing, however bringing anything valuable is highly advised against. Don't bring a purse or a jacket or anything that you'll have to carry around, because you're going to regret bringing it while you and your belongings are getting trampled in a mosh pit. There is a water cooler in the back, and they hand out clean cups, but they usually don't offer any other refreshments except on rare occasions. BTW, they'll let you in for free if you bring food, but it must be completely vegan. Don't go if cigarette-smoking bothers you. It gets pretty stuffy inside, but the Che is right near the forest and what not so there's plenty of fresh air when you step outside. The Che puts on great shows and I have loads of fun every time I go there! read more