El Malo

While employed at Square Feet Studio, Holden and Emily led the design team for El Malo, a high-end rum bar in the historic Atlanta Dairies building in the Reynoldstown neighborhood of Atlanta. The dark and moody bar is a theater of suspense and procession. Entering off the lively Atlanta Dairies courtyard, visitors proceed into a dark, textured portal to be led down a long corridor illuminated with minimal red lighting. After turning the end of the corridor, guests emerge into the main bar area, accented with towering, illuminated columns. A variety of lush seating flanks the edges of the bar, and a tiled and gold-leaf-clad DJ both anchors the open dance floor. A private VIP space and “green room” lounge provide more intimate gathering spaces. The entire bar is illuminated with color-changing lighting to reflect the mood of the music, guests, and menu.