Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DRINKING AND NIGHTLIFE
When it comes to
drinking
, foreign visitors and expats in Phnom Penh have three types of option: the seedy, smoky girlie
bars that proliferate off Sisowath Quay and along Street 51; sophisticated, trendy cocktail bars, either with a river view or in
a prime location along trendy Street 240 and
BKK
(see p.80); and lower-key hangouts, often with live music, that may
double up as pick-up joints but have an easygoing attitude. Most bars and restaurants promote daily
happy hours
from late
afternoon to well after sunset (although many start much earlier) when you can sink 50c glasses of draft beer, $1.50 G&Ts or
$2 cocktails. Otherwise, Phnom Penh's nightlife is geared to Khmer men and revolves around girlie bars, karaoke, dance halls
and local discos. Under the strobe lights, you'll hear a deafening mix of Thai, Filipino and Western pop as well as traditional
Khmer music and songs. Ask locals for the most popular spots of the moment;
nightclubs
usually don't get going until
10pm and beer girls (see box, p.49) are usually on hand to pour the drinks. Keep your wits about you and don't get too drunk
or obnoxious; there is sometimes a thuggish element in places frequented by the rich, bored sons of the Cambodian nouveau
riche. Step on their feet while dancing or stare at their female companions and you may have a real incident on your hands.
Phnom Penh has an emerging
gay scene
, with a few great venues and more popping up every year.
1
★
Dodo Rhum House
42 Street 178
T
012 549373;
map p.66.
A brilliant bar that makes its own flavoured rum
(varieties include chocolate, passion fruit, ginger or peanut,
for $2.50 a shot) and traditional Ti punch along with French
food and snacks, open late for an easy-going crowd.
Daily 5pm-late.
BARS AND PUBS
THE RIVERFRONT AREA
FCC
277 Sisowath Quay
T
023 210142,
W
fcccambodia
.com; map p.66.
Possibly the most atmospheric bar-cum-
restaurant in the region (imagine a Southeast Asian version
of the bar in
Casablanca
). The balmy air, whirring ceiling
fans and spacious armchairs invite you to spend a hot
afternoon getting slowly smashed. Relatively pricey; the
drinks are worth it (happy hour 5-7pm) but the food,
however, is not.
Daily 6.30am-midnight.
Fish Bar
Cnr Sisowath Quay & Street 108
T
023 222685;
map p.66.
Cool cocktail bar popular with both wealthy
Khmers and expats, with a good international wine list and
fantastic fish and chips ($8.60). Happy hour 3-8pm and live
music Wed-Sat from 7pm.
Daily 7am-11pm.
Metro
Cnr Sisowath Quay & Street 148
T
023 222275;
map p.66.
A smart, Western, a/c cocktail bar (lychee
martini $5.20), with a no-smoking policy before 10pm.
Cool ambience, stylish bar staff and delicious, minimalist
food attract wealthy Khmers and expats.
Daily
9.30am-1am.
Le Moon
Amanjaya
Pancam Hotel, 1 St 154
T
023
219579; map p.66.
A swanky rooftop bar with comfy sofas
and enviable views of the river, Wat Ounalom and the
glinting spires of the palace. The excellent cocktail list (from
$5) is complemented by nibbles such as salmon blinis.
Daily 5pm-1am.
AROUND PSAR THMEI
CENTRAL MARKET
AND
TOWARDS THE RIVERFRONT
L'Absinthe
216 Street 51
T
097 285 3217; map p.66.
Some of the sixteen varieties of European-imported
absinthes on offer at this upscale bar are 85 percent proof.
Let owner Thibault show you the proper way to appreciate
this fiery brew.
Daily 4pm-1am.
Dusk Till Dawn
46-48 Street 172
T
017 839546; map
p.66.
An upbeat rooftop Kenyan-owned reggae bar doling
out plenty of rum and cokes and fruit punches high above
Street 51's throbbing nightclub district. A really go place to
start or end your night.
Daily 5pm-6am.
Rainbow Bar
134 Street 136
T
098 712332;
map p.66.
Friendly, with a mix of indoor and outdoor
space, this glitter-, tinsel- and sequin-adorned gay
bar hosts karaoke nights on Mon, $2 cocktail nights on
Tues and nightly drag shows at 10pm.
Daily
7pm-midnight.
AROUND WAT PHNOM
Elephant Bar
Ra
es Hotel Le Royal, Street 92
T
023
981888,
W
ra
es.com; map p.66.
Splash out on a
cocktail and soak up the 1930s elegance, with ambience
and service to match, plus live music from the resident
pianist. Two-for-one happy hour 4-9pm.
Mon-Fri 2pm-
midnight, Sat & Sun noon-midnight.
AROUND THE NATIONAL MUSEUM AND ROYAL
PALACE
Bar Sito
3 Street 240½ (opposite Public House)
T
077
555447; map p.66.
A small, seductive speakeasy located
up an easy-to-miss alleyway just off Street 240 that serves
amazing cocktails in low-lit a/c surroundings, including a
moreish lychee
caipiroska
($5).
Daily 5pm-midnight.
Blue Chilli
36 Street 178
T
012 566353; map p.66.
Expect extravagant decor and handsome barmen at this
all-welcoming gay bar near the National Museum. Artistic,
and very funny, drag shows on Fri and Sat nights (11pm).
Daily 6pm-late.
SOUTH OF PSAR THMEI
CENTRAL MARKET
AND
TOWARDS THE OLYMPIC STADIUM
Eclipse Sky Bar
Phnom Penh Tower, Monivong Blvd
T
023 964171; map p.66.
This upscale open-air rooftop
bar isn't cheap but is easily the best place for sunset
cocktails (from $5; 30 percent discount 5-7pm) and
