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El Malo

3.6 (86 reviews)
Closed Closed

El Malo Photos

Business Info

EL MALO ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Hipster
Romantic
DJ
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - El Malo

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Main bar area
Aaliyah L.

I love this spot that originally was almost like a speakeasy lounge. It's become a hot commodity due to TikTok nonetheless it's great vibes. Depending on the DJ will determine how many people attend.

Vibrant bar area.
Allicia S.

Appropriately named as the bad service was prevalent throughout my recent visit. From the no signage at entrance to limited menu to subpar service El Malo lived up to its translation. Thankfully, one of the DJs, who was performing that night, saw me searching for the entrance and pointed it out. I joined friends at a booth, and scanned the QR code for menu options. Moments later, our server, Justin introduced himself and gave me a few minutes to check the menu. After observing the selections of my companions, I ordered the first plantain chips. It came with an avocado heart of palm sauce, chimichurri sauce is listed in menu, but may have been substituted with guacamole and pico de gallo. Larger portion than expected and paired nicely with my bourbon drink. My main concerns with the service was the lack of consistency. Justin was quick to share the information on one ticket per table and other restrictions for diners at the same table. What he was not quick with was fulfilling add-ons that were requested. Every time I asked for lemons or cutlery, my request would be forgotten. It wasn't even extremely busy, and I could clearly see him or the other server assigned to our area chatting amongst themselves. These "little" things are paramount in customer service that meets and exceeds expectations. I will say that the food was exceptional, especially the heart of palm with avocado sauce, and a large portion. Thankfully, I was able to order before the place got packed as many were there to see the featured Dj. The venue itself was aesthetically pleasing, with nice bar selections. The bathroom experience also needed help as located near the kitchen which caused issues once patrons filled the venue. The early part of the evening was manageable with @6 unisex private stalls. The end of the night was another experience entirely as couples tended to go to restrooms for extended periods of time. Definitely a venue for special performances, as this would not be my recommendation for anything else.

Nadine A.

Finally checked this cocktail bar off my list!!! It's so pretty in there. Mel was our server and she was so nice. She had great recs for choosing our dishes and cocktails...the cocktails were amazing!. We had the aguachile, the shrimp roll and rope vieja! Delicious!!!! Def check this bar out. They have a DJ later in the night. Cool spot and easy parking.

Simone H.

This place is nice!!! I've added this to my Saturday night places to go. Beautiful inside. Great service. The crowd is cool, the back is away from the busy main area if you want a chill place to eat and drink on a date and talk. We went to the back first, ate, then went to dance in the main area. Music was good, it was packed. You should have a reservation and don't be late for it. They will give your table away. They also stop serving food at a certain time, maybe 10pm or 11pm I can't remember we got there late. I've been here a few times now. Always a great time. The parking was weird. We had to park in the deck then walk on memorial drive a good way to get to the door. The drinks were strong! He ordered a smoky coffee drink, I had a martini, definitely easy to get wasted here. 2 drinks is my cut off. Love this place.

Miley W.

It's kind of cool in here, but it was a $10 cover before 11pm and then a vodka sprite was $18. The vibes were fine, I guess. Nothing worth noting, I would try coming here again.

Ashley O.

I came here for a birthday recently. This is an interesting place to me for sure. It has gotten very popular in Atlanta so clearly a lot of people love it. I just have mixed feelings towards it, though I think the set up of it isn't completely ideal to me. I will start off by saying that it is very beautiful..the decor and all of that is really nice and upscale, but it just feels like the bar area is really small and there's not very much seating and so that is what kind of makes it an iffy experience for me. The music usually is really good though and you can definitely tell people are genuinely having a good time and that's very important of course. I just think the set up is just not for my personal preference. The service is also I would say just alright and nothing amazing about it. I feel like the waitresses and bartenders that I've interacted with were not rude but not exceedingly friendly either. However, I know a lot of people like it so I'm sure there are others out there that could enjoy it too.

bar
Julia C.

El Malo is sooo cool!! Take someone here you want to impress. This dark room has the coolest cocktails and atmosphere. The bartenders are great about sharing their favorites and making you something you will love. The bar is kind of hard to find. Look for other photos of the door on yelp. It is a hidden large door at the Dairies! Definitely add this to your night out.

Green room pic with the girls!
Ash T.

Jk came back and witnessed the most disrespectful front door security. He was a guy (about 5'4) wearing all black and big beads with locs (if that helps y'all find him). He was so rude, yelling in peoples faces, requesting extra money from people that clearly bought tables that night, and even asked someone if they had IEP in school (this has to be an ADA violation). I was so disgusted I just left bc that is not how you treat people. I'm just disappointed bc el malo is such a cute establishment and he is NOT a good representation of the inside/overall vibes. Maybe get someone else that is more level headed and easier to respect at the door. Also this style of crowd control was causing fights. I saw 2 fights in less than 20 minutes between women and men. I was actually afraid for my safety and that just doesn't make sense for such an "upscale" interior

Allyson G.

I always have a great time here! I like to go before it gets crowded so I can actually enjoy the drinks, but it's so pretty inside and the bones are great so I usually end up staying! The service is fast and the lighting definitely sets the mood. Give it a try!

This Bistec Encebollad was 10/10

I didn't even know that El Malo served food but this sandwich was so good!! And drinks were amazingggg!!

Jordan H.

This cocktail bar had a vibe that is one of a kind, with unique drinks that fit every palate. You won't find your ordinary everyday cocktails here, but you may discover flavors that you didn't know you liked. I had a mezcal based drink with Asian fusion. It had hints of soy and gave off a savory sweet taste. The cocktails coupled with the great DJ and service makes for a great time! The only issue I had was parking. Apparently they no longer validate in the deck, so that's another expense.

Leonardo D.

It is somewhat hard to find but you'll know once you see the door. Very fun speakeasy and intimate spot for date nights, with your friends, and for some fun dancing. Service was good but it is hard to reach the bar once it gets crowded. Definitely expect to be spending on the higher side $$$. I came here on a weekend night thinking mostly Latin music would be played and that was not the case, great music was played but name of this place is a little misleading. Overall a great experience and would recommend coming here for a fun night out.

Carter Girls Night Out
Keshia C.

We went on a Thursday night before the crowd so there were maybe five people in the entire restaurant. The vibe was still great. The drinks were okay as was the food. The thing that did it most for me was the atmosphere and the friendly staff. Our waitress was super sweet and made good recommendations, although I can't remember her name. I would like to go back when there are more people and the live Dj is playing.

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Photo of Alex B.
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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Ambiance, service, and drinks were great! Didn't get to try the food, but maybe next time.

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2 years ago

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Ask the Community - El Malo

What is the general age range of patrons? What is the vibe on a Friday night vs. a Saturday night?

The general age from what I can tell is about 25 up into the 50s to be honest, I saw a wide range… Read more

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - El Malo

We tried the plantain chips with the ceviche but another serving of plantain chips was a bit pricy.

Mentioned in 5 reviews

Read more highlights

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Redacted Basement Drink Parlor

Redacted Basement Drink Parlor

4.1
(9 reviews)
1.6 mi

Cozy little spot with Judy at the bar! Stopped by after dinner. Had their version of an espresso…read moremartini and so fresh so clean.

So I had a Great cocktail experience overall. I've only been here one time but it was actually…read morepretty good and I would definitely go back again. I like anything that's close to a speakeasy or hidden bar so this was really up my alley. So it's in Summerhill. You can pretty much park wherever you can find parking. There may be street or there may be a lot but there's still plenty of parking because there's a bunch of stuff on this block. And you don't have to worry about paying so that's a plus. You'll find the building that's painted and then take that door and go downstairs into the basement. Considering how light and bright the neighborhood is, the actual basement itself is pretty dark and kind of intimate. It's very dimly lit with candles but it gives it some character. I'd already eaten and drunk so I just stopped in for one more drink before I left the side of town. I only really had one drink but it was a pretty good drink. The bartender was the only reason I didn't give it a five-star rating. I thought that the vibe was good and the cocktail was good and the general aesthetic was very pleasing but she didn't actually act like she wanted to serve anybody at the bar. I'm a bartender so I know that service definitely matters. The patrons can pick up on when you're not energetic or at least trying to be energetic with them and I definitely pick that vibe up. We asked what the favorite drink of hers was and she said whatever the easiest drink was. Also asked what were the favorite drinks of the general population. She said all of them. She didn't give any thought to answering the question, didn't even try to lie about it. LOL. I have the M&M Manhattan and it was good. It's a smoky style drink so if you're not into mezcal smoke, you may not like it but I thought it was very savory and not too sweet whatsoever. Overall I would definitely go back. Outside of what I was picking up from the bartender, it's a really good vibe and you can probably walk from multiple places on this block and then end up here as a last cocktail before the night's over.

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Redacted Basement Drink Parlor
M&M Manhattan
M&M Manhattan
Redacted Basement Drink Parlor

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Vesper

Vesper

4.1
(80 reviews)
0.4 mi
$$

Beautiful cocktail bar in the heart of Atlanta, quite close to the Beltline…read more Location and Parking Located in Grant Park, there is paid parking behind the building. Venue and Atmosphere Settled nicely on a tree lined street, Vesper greets you with cafe tables outside and a stately double door. The interior is dim unless you settle into the corner window seat, which we happily did. The interior continues to feature a mix of a sophisticated living room and modern bar. Service Service was prompt, courteous, and efficient. Food and Beverages Vesper features a full bar, however their cocktail menu features some real gems. I ordered the BONITA, along with a charcuterie board. Both were expertly crafted and left me wanting more... so I ordered the BOND for round 2. Again, it did not disappoint. Verdict I'll be back!

Vesper has become my new go-to cocktail bar. The drinks are always incredible with amazing…read morebartenders. They are super attentive and make really good drinks, whether they are on the menu or not. They have a full bar so you can order anything you want, in addition to having some beers and wines too. I love their seasonal specials as well. I recommend the blackberry mule! It was a bit crowded this time around but there are typically spots available either at the bar or at the couches. This was my first time ordering food and it was decent. I wouldn't order food here regularly, but they have a pretty good menu if you're hungry.

Photos
View from a front corner seat.
View from a front corner seat.
Interesting art
Interesting art
Games and such

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Games and such
Tiger Sun

Tiger Sun

4.5
(26 reviews)
0.1 mi

Parking Parking is limited in front of Tiger Sun. We had an…read moreearly reservation so we got a space. Restaurant All I can say is simply amazing. The outside of the bus looks crappy but when you step inside it is romantic, peaceful and zen like with the lighting. Our menus were Tommy Devito and Henry Hill. Both menus were absolutely Devine. Reminder you get a cocktail with each plate. Needless to say if you drink each cocktail you will be right at the end of dinner lol. Service was a 10 out of 10. I believe the theme and menu change every 3-4 months. You just have to go to experience Tiger Sun.

Of course the concept is super interesting and they aim to make it an experience. The issue is…read moreyou're in a bus and it's a somewhat claustrophobic experience. The staff was pretty accommodating with dietary restrictions. To be frank, it's just not worth the money. You barely get enough food to be satiated and it's very mid quality. I'd honestly prefer Muchachos food than this pop up behind it. Everything's a small plate. I get that the focus is on the cocktails but why have dinner even offered then? The cocktails are a bit too experimental. I liked maybe 2/4. For what you're paying ($95 pp) I would expect most of the meal to be good. Dessert was pretty much something I could get anywhere. If you like the movie they're showcasing, sure maybe you want to experience. However, if you're expecting great food and drinks, I could recommend eons more restaurants that do this better for half the price

Photos
Drink with Pop rocks and candy
Drink with Pop rocks and candy
Chocolate crumble
Chocolate crumble
Cocktails

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Cocktails
Poach Social

Poach Social

4.6
(281 reviews)
1.7 mi
$$

We had a wonderful experience at Poach Social! I had to change plans last minute for a loved one's…read morebirthday celebration, and when I called two days before I needed a reservation, the staff was so kind and accommodating! We had to make a decision quickly when we were pivoting, and when we came across the great reviews and photos of the food. we didn't think twice about checking to see if we could make it happen. When we arrived, the staff was already preparing our table, so we only had to wait a few minutes before being seated. The space is pretty tight, and you're going to be close to the tables near you, but we were able to sit comfortably. Our server came over quickly to take our drink orders, and afterward she came back to answer any questions. Most of the food was ready at the same time. We appreciated that it came out as it was ready and wasn't left sitting. And everyone enjoyed the food! The only "complaint" one of my friends had was that she thought there was a little too much sauce in her shrimp and grits dish. She felt that the sauce, while it tasted great, overpowered the dish and she would've liked to taste more of the grits flavor. All in all, I'd say we'll likely be back to try something else on the menu.

Prints were fantastic. Service was super nice…read more Kitchen was slammed...my order came out With green peppers instead of only red. They remade it in record time, but unfortunately, without a balance of spinach and no onions. Egg portion of the omelette was light and fluffy. The grits were fantastic Cute place in a neighborhood but like any restaurant these days the high ceilings created a super loud atmosphere

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Restaurant indoor. I was the first customer for the day
Restaurant indoor. I was the first customer for the day
Poach Social
One Love Drink

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One Love Drink
Banshee

Banshee

4.3
(188 reviews)
0.9 mi
$$

We came in with a large group of 10, and every single person absolutely loved their drinks and…read moreentrées. The service was fantastic from start to finish, and the seasonal menu was perfectly curated. We started with the fry bread and the olives and focaccia. Both were amazing, but the pepperoni butter that came with the fry bread was everyone's favorite. For my main, I ordered the lamb pappardelle, which was delicious. The pasta was fresh and the ragu was so flavorful. I also got to try the scallop ravioli and the potato parfait that came with the strip steak--all of it was beautifully presented and incredibly tasty. As we were leaving, we noticed they were setting up a DJ booth for some live music. It looks like a really fun spot, and we can't wait to go back!

Definitely a special occasion location…read more Banshee has excellent service and an impeccable ambiance with the one caveat that a few more sound muffling features wouldn't go amiss. There's a large drinks menu that I can't comment on a teetotaler. I would've preferred a couple more non-alcoholic options, but I was able to get a flavored soda water so I didn't feel completely left out. The starters were the star of the menu to me. I had a great time ordering and sharing with my party, trying a bit of everything. Everything was delicious and beautiful. My single critique is that I wanted more of several items which is hardly a critique at all. Unfortunately I was somewhat let down by the vegan main which was a risotto with seasonal veg. The flavor was a little thin and it felt like a bit of an after thought compared to the other mains at my table. While I'm glad there's a vegan option, I'm not actually vegan! I just wanted the seasonal veg made to the chef's preference and was disappointed with the result. Everyone else at the table was thrilled with their meals though! Overall it was a tasty and enjoyable experience, though a few changes could've made it better.

Photos
Inside the men's restroom. Toilet, urinal, sink. Clean. High ceilings.
Inside the men's restroom. Toilet, urinal, sink. Clean. High ceilings.
Little Neck Clam Fettuccine @tiffhuangry
Little Neck Clam Fettuccine @tiffhuangry
Inside. Back dining room and bar.

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Inside. Back dining room and bar.

El Malo - cocktailbars - Updated June 2026

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