KHLA

KHLA was an innovative Asian-inspired cocktail bar in downtown Phoenix that featured Southeast Asian ingredients and spirits, located at 218 E Portland St near Thai restaurant Lom Wong. The bar was tucked down an alleyway behind a heavy door, promising an immersive escape to Southeast Asia with a curated menu of creative cocktails. Signature drinks included the Manila Vice—a striking purple cocktail made with Filipino rum, dark Jamaican rum, ube, coconut, calamansi citrus, and fruit notes. Co-owner Tyka Chheng named the bar KHLA, meaning Tiger in Khmer, reflecting his cultural heritage. However, KHLA closed after 18 months in 2023 and is no longer in operation.