I will never return to Mala Vida after what I witnessed here. The security staff is the main problem…they are essentially corrupt, on power trips, and do the exact opposite of keeping guests safe. I have personally seen them accept cash to let underage people into the club and 21+ sections. This is not only illegal but shameful to watch happen so openly. I understand wanting to have fun, but it’s very clear what is going on here, and it is absolutely not right + extremely unsafe.
It makes this even more heartbreaking because I used to support this club wholeheartedly. I felt genuinely proud to support Gabriela, a Latina woman like me, building something special in Austin nightlife. Mala Vida was one of my favorite spots, and I was happy to see her succeed and grow her clubs. I don’t know if she is fully aware of what is happening inside this one, but the current situation is ridiculous, disheartening, and shameful. Who knows what else might be happening in her other clubs if this is allowed here?
It’s impossible to believe management is unaware. With the wristband system, it’s obvious when people under 21 are in restricted sections, yet this continues. The problem is systemic, centered on the security staff, and it’s being allowed to happen.
Additionally, the new security guards are aggressive and intimidating, particularly toward women. Instead of creating safety, they make guests feel uncomfortable and threatened.
Mala Vida once had a reputation for being fun, welcoming, and worth coming back to. Now it has become unsafe, reckless, and shamefully run. Until serious changes are made, I would strongly warn anyone against going here.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Grace Woolfolk
I'm over 21 and the bouncers working today told me I have to be born in 1999 or before to go in. I asked why because im over 21 and they said they dont accept anyone born 2000 or later. They let all of my friends in who were born in 1999 or earlier, but wouldn't let me in. Then when my friends stopped to see what was going on, the bouncers got super aggressive and said none of us could go in. Super unprofessional! Don't recommend.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Joshua Garcia
I should’ve paid attention to the other reviews before coming to this place. I flew in from Jersey and decided to go out with my siblings. My younger sister who is under 21 was allowed in (they mark your hands and give you a different wristband to differentiate you from the older crowd) anyways I got myself a drink and had my sister hold the cup(she doesn’t even drink) so I could retrieve something and security sweeps in and essentially manhandles my sister by taking away the drink and damn near digging his nails into her wrist. I asked what’s the problem and he said she can’t be drinking and to stop acting dumb. Mind you my sister is 5’3 120 lbs the security guard who’s a grown ass man and well over 6 foot had a power trip and was completely unprofessional. Do not recommend to anyone who’s visiting Austin. Never In my life have I had these encounters in NJ/NYC
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Francisco Arce
Fun night. Great crowd. No mean mugging. Everyone in the club just seemed happy to be out n about.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
kimmy caldera
Very nasty club/bar , every single staff member there is rude, security guards sprained my ankle and never been back since.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Juan Cid
PLEASE DO NOT GO HERE — Worst Bottle Service Experience in Austin
We’ve been doing bottle service at clubs in Austin and Houston for over 8 years, and Mala Vida was by far the worst experience we’ve ever had.
Our group of 14 flew in from out of state, as we do twice a year, and we had reserved two sections a week in advance. We were told buying two bottles would be enough to secure our sections, and we arrived early, before 11 PM, just like they asked. Then, about an hour into our night, management told us we had to either buy an additional upcharged bottle per section or give up one — something that was never mentioned at booking.
They claimed another group was coming in to buy four bottles, but we watched that group show up and buy just one. It was obvious we were bumped so they could try to squeeze more money out of someone else. When we asked for a discount on a third bottle just to keep the experience going, they said no.
From there, it only got worse. We were crammed into one section, and the service was terrible. Bottles took over 30 minutes, ice was never refilled even after multiple requests, and basic things like cups took forever. The manager was rude, dishonest, and clearly didn’t care how we were treated — no matter how much we spent or how far we traveled.
This place is disorganized, greedy, and unsanitary. It’s all hype and zero hospitality. They completely ruined what should have been a great night.
SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. We definitely will.
Edgar Acevedo
Our experience was extremely disappointing. Our group of 14, who travels to Austin twice yearly from out of state, reserved two sections, purchased multiple bottles, and arrived early as instructed. However, an hour into our visit, we were forced out of one section and squeezed into the other because we didn’t purchase an additional, undisclosed upcharged bottle per section, or they would sell the section to another group. When we requested a discount on a third bottle to offset the inconvenience, management refused. Even brought security I guess in a form of intimidation. They falsely claimed another group was buying four bottles, which wasn’t true, prioritizing profit over customer satisfaction by selling only one upcharged bottle to the other group. Service was terrible—cups took over 30 minutes to arrive. The venue’s overhyped, unsanitary conditions and poor treatment ruined our night. We won’t be returning and will take our business elsewhere. Total lack of respect.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Fabian Becerra
PLEASE DO NOT GO HERE:
We’ve been doing bottle service at clubs in Austin and Houston for over 5 years, and Mala Vida was by far the worst experience.
We had people fly in from out of state, reserved our table a week in advance, and arrived early, before 11 PM, just like we were told. We bought two bottles, which was confirmed as enough to hold the table. Then at midnight, the manager told us we had to buy more bottles or give up the table because another group was supposedly coming in to buy four bottles (which they never mentioned before-hand).
We stepped aside, only to see that group show up and buy just one bottle. It was obvious the manager just wanted to bump us for more money — a total lack of integrity.
On top of that, service was slow. Bottles took 30+ minutes, and ice was never refilled, even after asking multiple times. The manager was unhelpful and didn’t care about how we were treated, despite how much we spent or how early we showed up.
SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. This place is disorganized, money-hungry, and doesn’t respect its customers.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jennifer Cordova
The bottle service was so bad. They’ll give you ice once right before they bring the bottle out, then it’ll be another 30 minutes before you get the actual bottle, so by that point the ice has already mostly melted & you’ll be drinking hot tequila the rest of the night. And if you run out of chasers, you’ll be taking shots because nobody refills the carafes of juices. On top of this they will tell you there’s no minimum on the amount of bottles you buy and essentially force you to either buy another an hour into being there, or they threaten to kick you out. Which was so weird and left a bad taste in our mouth. Wont be returning to this club, Austin has way better, nicer clubs than this.
Luis Acevedo
Experience was very bad. We had a group of 14 people that travel to Austin twice a year from out of state. We reserved two sections to which we purchased a couple of bottles and arrived early like they told us to. Long story short, we were kicked out of one of the sections and crammed into the other since they wanted us to either buy an up charged bottle per section in order to keep the section which was never disclosed to us, or leave so they can sell the section to someone else. This was an hour into our time there. We asked for a discount for a third bottle in exchange for the inconvenience of the move to which they said no to. Management lied to us saying they had another group who was purchasing four bottles, which they didn’t. So they will rather have unsatisfied customers in order to make an extra buck since they sold the other group an up charged bottle. Service was horrible, asked for cups and it took over 30min to get them. Needless to say they ruined the rest of the night for us. This place is overhyped and very unsanitary. We will take our future business elsewhere.
Had such a fun night lol! Not sure if we just arrived late, but I do with we heard more tejano🔥 either way we had so much fun🔥 I love how it wasn't too crowded💜
Atmosphere: 4
Jesse Guz
lol have fun with the young peeps if you want & spend $30 for two drinks with full of ice , go for it.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Shakavia Wilson
So much fun very crowded around 1 we got there around 930 enjoyed ourselves
Gracie De Luna
Only thing is that people sneaking around smoking all types of things
Atmosphere: 5
Karla Chavez
Cool place, not really my scene, but it was a different experience! I would give it a chance!
I will never return to Mala Vida after what I witnessed here. The security staff is the main problem…they are essentially corrupt, on power trips, and do the exact opposite of keeping guests safe. I have personally seen them accept cash to let underage people into the club and 21+ sections. This is not only illegal but shameful to watch happen so openly. I understand wanting to have fun, but it’s very clear what is going on here, and it is absolutely not right + extremely unsafe.
It makes this even more heartbreaking because I used to support this club wholeheartedly. I felt genuinely proud to support Gabriela, a Latina woman like me, building something special in Austin nightlife. Mala Vida was one of my favorite spots, and I was happy to see her succeed and grow her clubs. I don’t know if she is fully aware of what is happening inside this one, but the current situation is ridiculous, disheartening, and shameful. Who knows what else might be happening in her other clubs if this is allowed here?
It’s impossible to believe management is unaware. With the wristband system, it’s obvious when people under 21 are in restricted sections, yet this continues. The problem is systemic, centered on the security staff, and it’s being allowed to happen.
Additionally, the new security guards are aggressive and intimidating, particularly toward women. Instead of creating safety, they make guests feel uncomfortable and threatened.
Mala Vida once had a reputation for being fun, welcoming, and worth coming back to. Now it has become unsafe, reckless, and shamefully run. Until serious changes are made, I would strongly warn anyone against going here.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
I'm over 21 and the bouncers working today told me I have to be born in 1999 or before to go in. I asked why because im over 21 and they said they dont accept anyone born 2000 or later. They let all of my friends in who were born in 1999 or earlier, but wouldn't let me in. Then when my friends stopped to see what was going on, the bouncers got super aggressive and said none of us could go in. Super unprofessional! Don't recommend.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I should’ve paid attention to the other reviews before coming to this place. I flew in from Jersey and decided to go out with my siblings. My younger sister who is under 21 was allowed in (they mark your hands and give you a different wristband to differentiate you from the older crowd) anyways I got myself a drink and had my sister hold the cup(she doesn’t even drink) so I could retrieve something and security sweeps in and essentially manhandles my sister by taking away the drink and damn near digging his nails into her wrist. I asked what’s the problem and he said she can’t be drinking and to stop acting dumb. Mind you my sister is 5’3 120 lbs the security guard who’s a grown ass man and well over 6 foot had a power trip and was completely unprofessional. Do not recommend to anyone who’s visiting Austin. Never In my life have I had these encounters in NJ/NYC
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Fun night. Great crowd. No mean mugging. Everyone in the club just seemed happy to be out n about.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Very nasty club/bar , every single staff member there is rude, security guards sprained my ankle and never been back since.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
PLEASE DO NOT GO HERE — Worst Bottle Service Experience in Austin
We’ve been doing bottle service at clubs in Austin and Houston for over 8 years, and Mala Vida was by far the worst experience we’ve ever had.
Our group of 14 flew in from out of state, as we do twice a year, and we had reserved two sections a week in advance. We were told buying two bottles would be enough to secure our sections, and we arrived early, before 11 PM, just like they asked. Then, about an hour into our night, management told us we had to either buy an additional upcharged bottle per section or give up one — something that was never mentioned at booking.
They claimed another group was coming in to buy four bottles, but we watched that group show up and buy just one. It was obvious we were bumped so they could try to squeeze more money out of someone else. When we asked for a discount on a third bottle just to keep the experience going, they said no.
From there, it only got worse. We were crammed into one section, and the service was terrible. Bottles took over 30 minutes, ice was never refilled even after multiple requests, and basic things like cups took forever. The manager was rude, dishonest, and clearly didn’t care how we were treated — no matter how much we spent or how far we traveled.
This place is disorganized, greedy, and unsanitary. It’s all hype and zero hospitality. They completely ruined what should have been a great night.
SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. We definitely will.
Our experience was extremely disappointing. Our group of 14, who travels to Austin twice yearly from out of state, reserved two sections, purchased multiple bottles, and arrived early as instructed. However, an hour into our visit, we were forced out of one section and squeezed into the other because we didn’t purchase an additional, undisclosed upcharged bottle per section, or they would sell the section to another group. When we requested a discount on a third bottle to offset the inconvenience, management refused. Even brought security I guess in a form of intimidation. They falsely claimed another group was buying four bottles, which wasn’t true, prioritizing profit over customer satisfaction by selling only one upcharged bottle to the other group. Service was terrible—cups took over 30 minutes to arrive. The venue’s overhyped, unsanitary conditions and poor treatment ruined our night. We won’t be returning and will take our business elsewhere. Total lack of respect.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
PLEASE DO NOT GO HERE:
We’ve been doing bottle service at clubs in Austin and Houston for over 5 years, and Mala Vida was by far the worst experience.
We had people fly in from out of state, reserved our table a week in advance, and arrived early, before 11 PM, just like we were told. We bought two bottles, which was confirmed as enough to hold the table. Then at midnight, the manager told us we had to buy more bottles or give up the table because another group was supposedly coming in to buy four bottles (which they never mentioned before-hand).
We stepped aside, only to see that group show up and buy just one bottle. It was obvious the manager just wanted to bump us for more money — a total lack of integrity.
On top of that, service was slow. Bottles took 30+ minutes, and ice was never refilled, even after asking multiple times. The manager was unhelpful and didn’t care about how we were treated, despite how much we spent or how early we showed up.
SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. This place is disorganized, money-hungry, and doesn’t respect its customers.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
The bottle service was so bad. They’ll give you ice once right before they bring the bottle out, then it’ll be another 30 minutes before you get the actual bottle, so by that point the ice has already mostly melted & you’ll be drinking hot tequila the rest of the night.
And if you run out of chasers, you’ll be taking shots because nobody refills the carafes of juices. On top of this they will tell you there’s no minimum on the amount of bottles you buy and essentially force you to either buy another an hour into being there,
or they threaten to kick you out. Which was so weird and left a bad taste in our mouth. Wont be returning to this club, Austin has way better, nicer clubs than this.
Experience was very bad. We had a group of 14 people that travel to Austin twice a year from out of state. We reserved two sections to which we purchased a couple of bottles and arrived early like they told us to. Long story short, we were kicked out of one of the sections and crammed into the other since they wanted us to either buy an up charged bottle per section in order to keep the section which was never disclosed to us, or leave so they can sell the section to someone else. This was an hour into our time there. We asked for a discount for a third bottle in exchange for the inconvenience of the move to which they said no to. Management lied to us saying they had another group who was purchasing four bottles, which they didn’t. So they will rather have unsatisfied customers in order to make an extra buck since they sold the other group an up charged bottle. Service was horrible, asked for cups and it took over 30min to get them. Needless to say they ruined the rest of the night for us. This place is overhyped and very unsanitary. We will take our future business elsewhere.
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Had such a fun night lol! Not sure if we just arrived late, but I do with we heard more tejano🔥 either way we had so much fun🔥
I love how it wasn't too crowded💜
Atmosphere: 4
lol have fun with the young peeps if you want & spend $30 for two drinks with full of ice , go for it.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
So much fun very crowded around 1 we got there around 930 enjoyed ourselves
Only thing is that people sneaking around smoking all types of things
Atmosphere: 5
Cool place, not really my scene, but it was a different experience! I would give it a chance!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
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