El Malo
Cocktail bar · Atlanta
777 Memorial Dr SE a 102b, Atlanta, GA 30316
Highlights
Rum & agave spirits, oysters, DJs, and a sexy, dimly lit vibe
Rum & agave spirits, oysters, DJs, and a sexy, dimly lit vibe
"When the sun goes down, temperatures heat up and high heels grow by the inch inside this clubby Reynoldstown bar. You don’t have to be dance floor royalty to have a good time here, but you will have to be adept at wading through El Malo’s packed house, dodging splashes from rum martinis as limbs flail along to Bad Bunny and Don Toliver anthems." - juli horsford, jacinta howard, nina reeder
"El Malo is a beautiful cocktail lounge in the Atlanta Dairies with a Latin-Caribbean food and drink menu that’ll keep the party going after you catch a show next door at The Eastern. Giant art deco light pillars make the bar seem primed for a Charleston dance-off, but clubby hits played by weekend DJs and colorful neon lights make us feel comfortable trying out moves from this century. There are a handful of solid (but small) signature cocktails featuring rums, mezcals, and other Latin-Caribbean spirits. Make a reservation ahead of time if you want a plush lounger or be prepared to stand and sip." - nina reeder, juli horsford, jacinta howard
"El Malo is a vibey cocktail lounge in the Atlanta Dairies in Reynoldstown. Giant art deco light pillars make the bar seem primed for a Charleston dance-off. But clubby hits played by weekend DJs and colorful neon lights bring us back to the present day. If the Bad Bunny mash-ups are too much, disappear into the Serpent Room in the back (padded from floor to ceiling in plush green fabric). There are a handful of solid (but small) signature cocktails featuring rums, mezcals, and other Latin-Caribbean spirits. And food items like plantain chips and ropa vieja keep the sexy bar's menu petite. This is a stand-and-sip spot, so save those uncomfortable shoes for another day unless you make a booth reservation ahead of time." - juli horsford
"If you roll up to this Reynoldstown bar after 10:30pm, you’ll be waiting in a line that snakes through the Atlanta Dairies courtyard. It’s slow moving because everyone at El Malo looks like they're getting carded. And we’re always impressed by the troopers in 4-inch heels since nothing but standing awaits inside (unless you make a booth reservation weeks ahead of time). That’s OK because the dance floor is where you want to be anyways, surrounded by giant art deco light pillars, bodycon dresses, and long, flashy chains that might take a rogue swing to your face during a Metro Boomin song. Mirror dancers who want a live audience Busta Rhymes, Kendrick Lamar, and an occasional Mykko Montana remix" - jacinta howard, juli horsford, nina reeder
"Located at Atlanta Dairies, another music-driven venue perfect for night owls looking for late-night enchantment." - Su-Jit Lin
