The Che Cafe
One of San Diego’s most valuable and historic DIY venues
The most memorable show I have ever played in my entire life was at the Che Cafe. The lineup was stacked, and more importantly, the venue was completely sold out. The Che isn't necessarily the biggest venue, but when it's sold out you can feel the energy bouncing off the walls. I remember playing our set that night and it was the first time I had ever experienced what it was like to fully fuel the energy of an audience. People were moshing the whole time, swinging from the rafters on the ceiling, throwing water bottles in the air to try and cool things down a bit. It was the first time I had seriously ever experienced a “natural high” as they say, and that's all thanks to the Che.
The Che Cafe is a volunteer-run social center and music venue located on the campus of the University of California San Diego. Not only does this venue provide a safe space for the DIY music and the art community, but it also is one of the only local venues that treat DIY artists with the same respect as touring artists. No venue that I have ever personally played at has given such an immense amount of genuine care for their community, which is why I would like to take some time to go into the history of the Che Cafe and shine a light on this underrated San Diego DIY venue.
With a rich history, the Che Cafe originated in 1980, founded by UCSD students at the time. While most people probably know that the Che Cafe is named after Che Guevara, the name “Che” is also an acronym for the phrase “Cheap Healthy Eats” since the venue is also a vegan cafe (sometimes). From the very beginning, the space was instantly internationally recognized as a staple of the hardcore/punk/indie scene. The Che Cafe has had many popular bands play there like Green Day, Turnstile, The Garden, Chumbawamba, and so many more.
But, what really makes the Che Cafe stand out in comparison to other local venues is the way they treat the local bands and artists in San Diego. I’ve been in the local San Diego scene myself for the past five years, and there are multiple reasons why I believe the Che does the best job at supporting their community. For starters, they make it fairly easy to set up shows there. They have weekly meetings for volunteers that anyone can go to and all the volunteers at the Che have always been extremely hardworking and passionate about the music scene. They also don’t charge bands to play there/pay the artists playing which is not usually the case for venues throwing small underground artists-based shows. The fact that the venue is for all ages as well is why I think this place has had so much success over the years. There are so many 21+ venues in San Diego and they just will never be able to compete with the communal vibe that the Che brings.
Though for the most part, the Che Cafe has thrived, there were definitely moments in time (not even that long ago) that left people worrying about the existence of their favorite local DIY venue. Despite the support from the university initially, the relationship between the university and the student co-op became rocky. The university has tried to close the space a couple of times now. In the year 2000, UCSD tried to close the space by changing the locks without the members knowing. This led to a lock-in by members and other supporters of the Che. Similar instances to this kept happening until around 2003. Things seemed to be in the clear up until 2014 when the San Diego County Superior Court ruled in favor of UCSD’s filing of eviction towards the Che. Then, on March 17, 2015, the venue was officially served an eviction notice. From this date forward, the Che was 100% under a student-led occupation, defying the court order. But, in July 2015, supporters of the venue met with UCSD Chancellor at the time, and because of this, they announced a 45-day stay of eviction. They also agreed to fund an inspection of the building to assess any repairs or maintenance. Later, a new lease agreement was finally signed, which led to renovations on the Che in 2017. From 2018 to now, the Che has been back in full operation (not including when it wasn't in operation during the peak of COVID-19).
The Che Cafe is a legendary venue that has always felt like a second home to me. The amount of shows and events this venue has put on over the years is outstanding and the impact that they have had on the DIY music scene is beyond believable. If it wasn’t for places like the Che that treat local/smaller artists with respect, so many cool bands would be nowhere to be found. The Che has always given a chance to the underdogs and the beginners while also being the spot bigger touring acts will play to have a jammed-packed but intimate San Diego show. So, if you are living in/visiting San Diego and are a fan of live music and supporting local artists, before any other venue, check out the Che Cafe.
