This swanky cocktail joint is hard to find, situated on the second level of a gritty open-air shopping complex in South Philly. (It’s located in the same parking lot as Hung Vuong Supermarket and just across the way from Vietnamese restaurant Nam Phuong.) Once inside, you’ll feel transformed from that concrete jungle to a Miami-style lounge with a neon-hued bar, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and booths and tables lining the periphery. Besides the bar, which cranks out generous pours in your everyday cocktail selections, there’s a menu of decent Japanese fare—mostly sushi and starters like edamame, seaweed salad and tuna tartare. The main draw, though, just may be the karaoke, which begins every day when the doors open and is available till close. The sounds system is pretty great, and you’ll find a lengthy song selection on the kiosk that guests are allowed to man themselves when the crowd is sparse. La Fusion also hosts special events throughout the month, such as a quirky drag and burlesque night called NEON.
