La Pearl Lounge and Outer Space Club

It's Where We Drink

by Will Dean

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Published: Oct 2, 2007

54th and Pearl streets, 215-747-9487

The La Pearl Lounge and Outer Space Club is probably pretty similar to your favorite neighborhood bar — that is, if your local haunt features a large, protruding dome with a sprawling galactic star map on it. Affixed onto the east wall on the outside of the building, the dome juts out amid a bunch of old shingles, making the bar look like a crash site for Jules Verne's moon ship.

(CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

Despite the exterior décor, the ground floor bar, dubbed La Pearl, is comforting in its Philly corner taproom traditions. A long bar dominates the main room, with Eagles posters on the wall and pool tables in back. Fresh-cooked soul food, like fried chicken and collard greens, is regularly available to add to the cozy atmosphere. But head upstairs to the Outer Space Club, and it's like you're in another world. Yes, there's a second bar along with some booth seating — but there's also a stage for exotic dancers.

The bar's history also touches on a mix of the familiar and unusual. Operating for 38 years, La Pearl is the last property owned by the Harmon brothers, a family that has run a slew of businesses in West Philly. "There was the Sirloin House on Ruby and Market, Harry's Bar at 12 N. 60th and Roseland Bar at Conestoga and Arch," says Jimmy Harmon, the last remaining brother.

But the ghosts of venues past didn't seem to be weighing anyone down on a recent Sunday afternoon, when La Pearl was bustling with friendly people looking to relax somewhere space-ious — without having to skip town/Earth. That's how you should feel like when you come here," says a regular who goes by Jay-Jay. "Like you're in a different place."

 

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