![]() After the quick crash course, he led us into a dimly lit room with red–painted walls covered in mirrors. You can be “texting or Googling,” he clarifies. After a quick scan of our IDs, he led us into a small anteroom where he outlined the rules of the establishment, of which there were two: no talking on the phone, no photos. On his personal Facebook, he posts photos of people who have been banned from the establishment and taunts his patrons, calling them “imperialist Americans.” He’s been the subject of much mystery and speculation in his own right. This is the owner, Lê, a self–described “North Korean ex–pat,” who is the official gatekeeper of the establishment. Upon reaching the front of the line, guests wait until a short, middle–aged man opens an inner door to meet you at the gate across the street from Dim Sum Garden. There are rumors of an unofficial dress code: no shorts, no sneakers, no jeans. Gaining entrance to Hop Sing has become its own sort of legend, like an easier–to–get–into, buttoned up Berghain. This is not an establishment without public antics, and the local press has covered them with furiosity. ![]() Hop Sing just celebrated its sixth birthday in June, and announced with this momentous occasion that they would be reducing their hours to weekends only. And as evidenced by the line up the block many nights, they’re still living with these consequences. Condé Nast named it one of the best bars in the world just three years ago, and it’s been on a meteoric rise ever since. Despite these concerted efforts, hype prevailed. ![]() In fact, they “did not even intend to advertise themselves.” Indeed, they have no signage. “After all, this is just a simple bar and not some sort of Prohibition, speakeasy, or retirement resort–themed bar, as we lack the intelligence to execute such a scheme,” the website candidly proclaims. Its website is a cryptic single page, quoting David Foster Wallace and explaining how-despite unexpected, pervasive media coverage-their establishment will never live up to your expectations. Helmed by an eccentric owner and shrouded in mystery, Hop Sing Laundromat has become something of a Philadelphia lore in the past several years. Crammed between two nondescript Chinatown buildings, behind an intricately wrought iron gate, through an empty waiting room, there’s a dimly lit room brimming with strong, old–fashioned cocktails. ![]()
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