Award-nominated Phoenix cocktail bar closes after 19 months. Why it 'didn't work out'

Popular downtown Phoenix bar Khla has closed after 19 months.

The bar opened in downtown Phoenix in March 2022 and garnered attention for creative cocktails inspired by Southeast Asian ingredients. The Saigon Sour, for instance, is a daiquiri riff made using a pineapple-based umami sauce (similar to a vegan fish sauce), white rum, tamarind, pineapple and a sudachi citrus blend.

In November 2022, the current team behind Khla and Liar's Club — John Sagasta and Colton Brock— parted ways with co-owner Tyka Chheng after allegations of sexual harassments.

In June, the bar was recognized nationally when it was nominated for for Best New Cocktail Bar in the West 2023 Spirited Awards.

On Sept. 16, a post on the Khla Instagram account announced the impending closure and asked other industry professionals to join them for "one last hurrah with the Khla team."

Why did Khla close?

"People loved Khla and will miss it," Brock said. "But there's a bit of a romance to the idea that nothing lasts and it's cool that if you were there to see it, it was for your eyes only."

Both partners cited financial reasons for the closure. "We love it," Sagasta said. "The staff loved it. The money just didn't seem to work out."

So, when presented with the opportunity to give up the space, they took it.

"We decided to pursue a new opportunity which presented itself," Brock said. "John and myself are spread thin between Baby Boy, Jobot and The Liar's Club. We are excited about this new chapter. It's not a sad thing at all."

Coming soon: New downtown Phoenix cocktail bar harkens to the 'Golden Age' of travel

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Downtown Phoenix cocktail bar closes after a wild 19 months