Ljubljana

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Che Bar

More Photos
fizzytom
fizzytom
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
Review
2
Photos
Editor Pick

Viva La Revolucion at the Che Bar

  • April 26, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by fizzytom from Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Viva La Revolucion at the Che Bar

I became acquainted with the Che Bar on my first visit to Ljubljana way back in 2004 and have been stopping by whenever I've been in town since then. It was here i met someone who was to become one of my best friends not just in Slovenia but in general so I have many fond memories of this friendly pub.

It's situated out in Bezigrad which is why it has been relatively undiscovered by tourists but it is easy to find and well worth the short walk from town. To get there, walk all the way through the central concourse of the train station and climb the steps at the end. Turn right and cross the road; keep walking and look out for Stihova. Here turn left and keep walking till you see the Che Bar on your left. If the doors are closed you'll see they are decorated with the Cuban flag. However, in summer the doors are usually open.

You've probably guessed by now that this bar is themed and the subject is the celebrated revolutionary Che Guevara. There are Cuban flags, posters of Che, photographs of the man and all kinds of Soviet memorabilia around the place. It's a palace of communist kitsch and what's great is that it is cosy and authentic, not like these glitzy places who just think it's "Cool" to use the Che motif as a style thing.

My favourite part of the bar is the corner dedicated to Josef Tito, the late leader of the former Yugoslavia. There's even a bust of the great man that holds two tealights which get lit in the evenings.

Some might regard Che Bar as a little shabby and I don't think that's wrong or unfair. But it isn't scruffy, just a little worn and thay makes it all the more cosy and friendly. It's small but it's easy to find an intimate spot and in the evenings when the lights go down it's really quite charming.

Through the bar there is another room which is decorated with pictures of the band Zaklonisce Prepeva, a Slovenia band. The mother of their main man, Vanya, owns the bar and Vanya manages it on a day to day basis. He may even play their albums which are really pretty good and you can buy them from the bar along with Che Bar t-shirts and other souvenirs.

There is food available but its really limited, only a few sorry looking sandwiches if I remember rightly. During the day there is a steady stream of mixed clientele, in the evenings it's a younger crowd. They often have theme evenings for things like Halloween and on those nights do special offers on appropriately named cocktails.

There is an outside seating area which has an awning in winter but is a lovely place to catch the sun in summer and as this is a relatively traffic free area it's quite quiet too.

While I love this place and am always recommending it, there is one issue that really riles me. The lock on the ladies toilet does not work properly and as a result I always worry that I'll either be locked in or someone will walk in. My other half says I should mention that the toilets smell of wild garlic too. I have no idea why they do.

Che Bar is cool, stylish and fun. The staff are friendly and it's a good place to chill. If you are interested in Tito, Che, Communist stuff, etc then you should really walk along and take a look.

From journal Delightful Ljubljana

Compare Ljubljana Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Ljubljana Travel Deals