Cielo Nightclub Shuts Down, Leaving Austin’s Dance Floor to the Rhythmically Doomed

In a tragic turn of events for Austin’s dwindling population of people who actually know how to dance, Cielo Nightclub—the last bastion of Latin rhythm in a city overrun by cowboy boot shufflers and indie folk swayers—is shutting its doors. After 16 years of providing a sanctuary for those who can move their hips without looking like they’re swatting away bees, the club will host its final "puro pinche party" this weekend.

Cielo’s Instagram post announcing the closure was, of course, dripping with gratitude and nostalgia, because nothing says "we’re devastated" like a perfectly curated carousel of throwback photos with a moody filter. "Thank you for being part of the Cielo family," they wrote, which roughly translates to, "Please don’t ask us why we’re abandoning you for something shinier."

Owner Elias Boukarim, who took over the club from his uncle in 2011, claims they’re closing due to a "decline in business," but let’s be real—this is Austin. The real reason is probably that the building’s lease is being tripled to make room for yet another overpriced juice bar where people can Instagram their $14 celery shots. Boukarim did hint at "something new" in the works, which, given Austin’s track record, will likely be a hybrid kombucha speakeasy with a "Latin-inspired" quinoa bowl pop-up.

Cielo’s legacy? Introducing downtown Austin to the radical concept that music in Spanish could, in fact, be fun. Before Cielo, the only Latin beats most Austinites knew were the ones coming from their neighbor’s lawnmower at 7 a.m. on a Saturday. The club’s laser lights, pulsing sound system, and disco balls will be sorely missed—though let’s be honest, half the people who went there just thought it was a really themed SoulCycle.

So farewell, Cielo. May your disco balls find a loving home in someone’s vintage Etsy shop, and may your replacement venue at least have the decency to serve margaritas that don’t cost $18. Austin’s nightlife just got a little more beige.