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    El Malo

    3.5 (84 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    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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    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.

    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.

    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.

    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

    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!!

    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!

    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.

    Andrea C.

    My best friend brought me to this cute, modern trendy spot for my birthday! It's a restaurant then turns into a club-like thing at night. For the food we decided to try some tapas, drinks and desserts. We both had the dos mundos I believe, we choose whatever had tequila and for food we tried the aguachiles (not pictured), plantain chips, and then the guava pastelito for dessert. I'd definitely come back! The service was quick and I'd recommend making a reservation. I'd definitely come for a celebration, or a date!

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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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    Poach Social - Jerk Chicken Eggrolls

    Poach Social

    4.6(274 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    Title: Flavor Explosion, Soulful Hospitality & a Last-Minute Meal That Turned Magical…read more Let me just say this: what started as a "quick bite before closing" turned into one of the most memorable dining experiences I've had in a long time. We arrived at The Poach Social about 20 minutes before closing, unsure if we'd be rushed--but instead, we were welcomed with warmth and ease. Lived the ambiance. Hunter, our server, was incredibly sweet, attentive, and knowledgeable. She made us feel taken care of from the very start. Then came Victor, the owner and chef--and this is where things shifted from good to special. Without us even asking, he recommended a mocktail that felt like it was made just for me: a sorrel-based drink layered with ginger, spice, herbs, and fresh fruit. It was refreshing, balanced, and honestly one of the best non-alcoholic drinks I've had. We started with the jerk egg rolls... and I'm not exaggerating when I say we were clapping after the first bite. Crispy, juicy, flavorful, with a sweet-spicy sauce that just worked. We immediately knew we'd be taking more to go. For the main course, we ordered the Poach Social breakfast plate and the blackened salmon with polenta. The breakfast plate was comforting and well-executed, but the salmon dish? Absolutely unforgettable. Perfectly seasoned, melt-in-your-mouth texture, with creamy polenta and a rich sauce that brought everything together. It was a full-on flavor experience. The timing of everything--from drinks to apps to entrées--was seamless. Hunter checked in at the perfect moments, never too much, never too little. We ended up in a lovely conversation with Victor, who is not only talented but genuinely kind and passionate. He brought us complimentary slices of carrot cake, and even though we were already full... we ate every bite. No regrets. It was phenomenal. What I loved most is that this place doesn't just serve food--it creates an experience. There's intention, care, and heart behind everything. If you're in Atlanta, do yourself a favor and go. This place deserves to thrive. We will absolutely be back.

    My girlfriend and I wanted to have brunch so we ordered the French toast, shrimp and grits, the…read morejerk, chicken eggrolls, and the avocado toast with some mock tails and cocktails. The food was very good, but it did take a little time. I believe because it's a scratch kitchen. It was worth the wait. Our servers name was Langston and he took really good care of us. He made sure to check on us and explain the menu as well. Our drinks did take a lot more time to get to the table. It's a cute and trendy place, but the only thing I would change was the placing of tables because when people are passing by, it was very difficult. If someone was in a wheelchair, it could be a problem getting into the tight spaces. The last thing would also be drink order is coming out in a timely manner. Overall, service was great and food was very good.

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    Poach Social - Inside

    Inside

    Poach Social
    Poach Social - One Love Drink

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    Banshee - Charred broccoli caesar salad and XO olives

    Banshee

    4.3(184 reviews)
    0.9 miEast Atlanta Village
    $$

    BANSHEE | our foodie group's favorite spot for a group outing! It's the perfect place to go family…read morestyle - try one or two of everything and split the bill! Almost the entire menu is seasonal, aside from their classics, like the fry bread (which is a MUST), because that pepperoni butter is EVERYTHING. Some of my favorite dishes over the years include the black garlic mezzaluna, the boar luganega farfalle (super hearty pasta), tagliatelle al tartufo and basically any seasonal crudo on their menu. While you may not find these exact dishes on your next visit, you may find something fun and creative but still satisfying and delicious like these. Cocktails are a must - i tend toward gin cocktails but there is a cocktail for everyone on the menu. And of course you must order one of every dessert because how else can you do it?!? If you're there late over the weekend, it shifts from a packed restaurant to a packed bar with a DJ. I find the cocktails to be not quite as tasty as with dinner, but still a good time to be had.

    It took me about 45 minutes to get here. The venue has parking in the back but I was able to find…read morestreet parking. The street parking is terrible and turns the road into a one way street. Venue is pretty small on the inside. There is only about 10 tables and 15 seats at the bar. The entire place can hold about 50 customers. It looked like there may be another room in the back but I was not able to see. I ordered the Steak with grilled vegetables and lettuce wraps. This was the best steak I have eaten all year. The steak was cooked in olive oil and drizzled with this blend of peppers and tomatoes. The lettuce wraps had grilled onions, bell peppers, and jalapenos. I ordered the Banana Four Ways for dessert. Fried plantains as a base, banana bread on top, banana pudding, and a cool whip banana sauce on top. The meal was amazing.

    Photos
    Banshee - Inside the men's restroom. Toilet, urinal, sink. Clean. High ceilings.

    Inside the men's restroom. Toilet, urinal, sink. Clean. High ceilings.

    Banshee - Little Neck Clam Fettuccine @tiffhuangry

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    Banshee - Inside. Back dining room and bar.

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    Inside. Back dining room and bar.

    Stereo - Stage area

    Stereo

    4.1(31 reviews)
    0.6 miInman Park

    Stereo is a really cute vinyl cocktail bar located off of Dekalb Ave. There are some parking spots…read moreup front, but the majority of parking is next door by Lloyd's with an entrance on that side too. I came with a friend around 7pm on a Saturday and the place wasn't too crowded. We were seated immediately. They have both inside and outdoor patio tables. The vibe was chill with music playing at a decent volume, but over the next hour the place got very crowded and the music got louder. By 9pm, the place was quite packed and we were politely asked to close out to give our table to others waiting in line. I was very surprised by the cocktails - in a good way. I was pretty hesitant looking at the cocktail menu because most of the drinks had at least one ingredient that I don't like. However, the drinks were fantastic. I got the Hot in the Shade and my friend got the Fast Idol, which were both delicious. I don't even like gin and yet my drink, which has both gin and vodka, were outstanding. I will definitely be back! It's a great spot for a chill hangout cocktail bar but definitely get there before 7:30 if you want a table.

    Stereo is the new vinyl bar open on the early side of the day for people who need somewhere to take…read morea meeting, work, or just take a break. They also open back up later in the evening closer to the weekend for the night crowd. Service is always cool and helpful although you might feel like it's the epitome of a hipster neighborhood hangout. Excited to see how this place continues growing into itself. I would love to hear some more range of music selections and the volume can be a little bit loud on the early side of the day. All in all it's a great place to check out!

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    Stereo - Seating set up

    Seating set up

    Stereo
    Stereo

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    El Malo - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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