Viviendo sobrio... desde el bar

Mau Nieto sets up his first stand-up hour with a contradiction, talking about his struggle to stay sober while performing in front of a drinking crowd in a cramped Mexico City bar. He is not here to deliver a heartwarming story of recovery. Instead, he uses his history of bad habits to transition into embarrassing, highly specific stories about modern dating and the anxieties of early adulthood. The material works best when it focuses on the unglamorous physical realities of romance, particularly a sequence detailing his father’s deeply flawed advice on how to quietly pass gas while on a date.

Released on Netflix in January 2018, the 57-minute special was directed by Raúl Campos and Jan Suter. The release marked Nieto’s transition from the local club scene and early viral fame on Vine into the mainstream streaming landscape. Throughout the set, Nieto leans into his identity as a Chilango, mocking his upbringing between Iztapalapa and Coapa before taking quick shots at the neighboring city of Toluca. The production opts for an intimate club atmosphere over a polished theater stage, keeping the focus entirely on his fast, slang-heavy delivery.