Hop Sing Laundromat, Philadelphia PA

I would give this place 0 stars if I could. Never made it inside because their covid protocol is beyond ridiculous. The doorman/bouncer was extremely rude, condescending, and would not stop making comments while we were jumping through hoops of fire on our phones trying to get a QR code for our vaccination status even though we had photos. Once one of us successfully downloaded the app, he would not let us get in if the other couldn’t. We waited 15 min to get this QR code since the site kept locking one of us out only to find out it’s cash only. Take your money elsewhere. There is no bar/drink on this planet that’s worth so much insult.

[TL;DR My new favorite bar. Incredible drinks, ambiance, and service. Please read other reviews for the bar's rules! ]

I'm running out of people to recommend Hop Sing Laundromat!

First, the owner operated the front door, showing how much he cared for his business. He was professional and courteous to set the bar's tone.

The bar served me my new favorite cocktail ("The Happy Buddha"). Their drink list was extensive, so our server was ready to answer our questions.

The ambiance was incredible. The bar was intimate, with low lighting and small tables.

I have no complaints about Hop Sing Laundromat. Other reviews mention the bar's rules, so I won't rehash them. Please read these other reviews to familiarize yourself with the bar's rules. It's worth it.

First and foremost, I don't believe in writing reviews. If I could email this establishment directly, I would do that instead. So Mr. Lê, if/when you respond to this review, I'll take it down immediately. I just wanted to leave some feedback as I left Hop Sing incredibly disheartened and deflated.

I first visited this cocktail bar two months ago. My initial visit was nothing short of incredible. I know a lot of people have varying views of the owner, but I personally found him to be endearing and passionate about his business. As a business owner myself, I have a lot of respect for Mr. Lê. He has every right to decline service to unvaccinated patrons and I appreciate him putting my safety and wellbeing above all else.

Since my first visit was so enjoyable, I decided to return for my birthday along with a few friends. We completed the screening process with ease and were seated shortly thereafter. From there, our experience began to sour. The staff did not know their own cocktails and questioned almost every drink. Now I know their menu is quite extensive, but nearly every staff member admitted that they were new. Worst of all, the drinks were painfully slow to arrive. I am not exaggerating here - it took literally 40-50 minutes for one drink to arrive. Looking around the bar, there were only 16 patrons in the establishment (including my party of 5). Not only did the delay kill the momentum, but it also hindered my celebratory plans for later that night. I decided to end my visit with a cocktail that began with the letter M (I forget the name TBH) and the server brought me out a Manhattan 45 minutes later (which was the wrong drink).

Once again, I have no issue with the entry process. Furthermore, I have no issue with the price of the cocktails. However, if you're going to make people jump through hoops and you're going to charge higher than normal, then the service MUST be impeccable. Mr. Lê expects the best from his patrons so I expect the best from his bar. Said employees were ill equipped, poorly trained, and painfully slow.

It pains me to write this as I have a ton of respect for this bar and its owner. However, I have little interest in returning (and I genuinely hate that I feel this way).

Needed vaccination card to get in last night, didn’t have it on us because it’s not February of 2021 anymore. I had 4 people with me so we brought our money to another location and spent our money there. I was a 4 year routine customer who brought well over 30 new customers here over the years, but I will return no more and tell my friends. Requiring the vaccination card doesn’t provide any protection against getting the virus, someone should tell the owner. Not a smart owner IMO. Will wait it out for the failure/bankruptcy and new ownership to fix it.

Absolutely loved my experience. I was not expecting to need proof my COVID vaccinations so I didn’t have vaccination card with me but the owner was very helpful and explained how I could access it through mychart. I had never been here pre-COVID but from what I understand, this establishment used to seat many more people but the owner is concerned with everyone’s health and safety before his bottom line. The drinks are pricier but if that’s something you’re concerned about, this isn’t the place for you. Photos and videos are not allowed once you enter so my partner and I silenced our phones and were able to connect in a way we aren’t usually able to in our busy day-to-day lives. It is dimly lit and the music isn’t so loud that you aren’t able to talk at normal volume. It is the perfect place for a romantic date. I can’t wait to go back!

It’s hard to believe HSL opened over a decade ago … At the time, I was living in Chinatown with my then fiancé. It quickly became our favorite place on this side of heaven - no other cocktail could compete with Lê’s fresh and genius concoctions. Fast forward a decade+ and even though HSL is no longer in our “backyard” and a date night requires a 30+ minute ride in 76 traffic & securing a babysitter … It remains our favorite cocktail bar on this side of heaven!

Today marks our 10 year wedding anniversary & of course when my husband asked what I wanted - it included a date night at HSL. Can’t wait to revisit some of our oldie but goodies (Eastside, Henry Box Brown & Mother’s Helper) and explore some of the new offerings!

It’s clear the doorman/owner couldn’t care less about what people think-his prerogative of course- but I do not have a desire to patronize an establishment that berates those who would like to give him money. I’m someone who is quite used to Covid requirements with zero issue but it’s December of 2022 and a photo of your Covid card with matching id should suffice (per US government guidelines). The treatment I received trying to comply with the requirements is disqualifying for me. Their drinks are not worth being treated in a condescending way. Take your money elsewhere!

Wouldn’t come back. Over the top with Covid protocol. 20% surcharge added to all tickets that isn't gratuity. Tried 2 cocktails and neither were very good. The service was great and the space was cool and dark.

The best cocktail bar in the city. Quiet with great character and a very relaxed vibe. It's nice to see a place still taking the extra step of proving you're vaxxed, too!

This place makes you jump through hoops to get in and is discriminating based on race and residency. Quite repulsive in todays day in age.

First time coming and it is an experience that I will never forget. Drinks were some of the best I’ve ever had, serivce was off the charts and the owner was very kind and helpful. 10/10 would recommend

One of the best bars in the world. No exaggeration. Those who broke the rules or complain about them are exactly the people you avoid at bars anyway. A friendly reminder that private establishments have the right to enforce their own rules. It's like going to someone's house, but with better drinks. Hop Sing doesn't have a sign out front because it's for the people who did their research and are willing to respect boundaries. This ensures an enjoyable and luxurious experience every single time. I've been there dozens of times, sent friends there, and never had any issues. You show respect, you receive respect. Period. Don't forget to tip if you want to come back.

Hard to recommend a better place than Hop Sing Laundromat for drinks, not just in the city. Everything from the service, drinks and atmosphere is unbeatable for a night out.

Such a fun experience! Have your physical COVID vaccination card with you when you go. Waiting outside is worth it. The drinks are INCREDIBLE!

Visiting Hop Sing is always a magical experience. Delectable cocktails, amazing service and an enchanting atmosphere like none other I've visited. Every time I enter into that space I feel immediately transported into a an altered reality suspended in time where I feel cozy and inspired.

-A 20% tip is automatically added to your bill
-You have to have a scannable QR code to enter
-Cash only (drinks in the $15-18 range)
- Great place to be anonymous/hide from antivaxxers [lol] because there's no photo or video allowed
-Very unique drinks
-Dark speakeasy atmosphere

Came for the first time two weeks ago. The experience provided by Le and the staff were outstanding. Our server helped us choose our drinks. The drinks we had were amazing, and our server was very knowledgeable about the menu. We had the Lavanada and the Redneck Sangria. The atmosphere was intimate and a great place for a date. Will be coming back.

It’s an experience.lol. Yea very much something you just have to live through. Drinks and owner, while somewhat eccentric, made the evening memorable. Wait staff was a little over their heads but forgivable.

Hop Sing Laundromat is a cocktail bar for the refined Philadelphian. You have to do your research before going so you know what identification the owner requires (proper proof of vaccination), you must dress appropriately, and be polite. No phone calls or pictures. With these rules he creates a very classy and sophisticated atmosphere. If this doesn't work for you, you were probably going to ruin the vibe anyway. The drinks are refined, fresh, and expertly crafted by his very knowledgeable and well trained staff. Our server Sam, had a very intimate understanding of the menu and helped guide us through our experience. I moved out of philly a few years ago, but I always make it a point to come here when I visit. Thank you for another wonderful night Le