Night owls have their pick of the bunch, with the city packed full of bars, KTVs, beer gardens and clubs that range from dive bars through to rooftop decadence. Here are some of the best Phnom Penh bars.
Recent years have seen the rise of lane life, with plenty of boutique bars found tucked away on back alleys. Bassac Lane and Street 308 are traditionally popular with the expat and tourist crowd. However, when covid closed the country’s borders to tourists and drove hordes of expats home, a growing number of locals started to frequent the area, and continue to today.
Best Phnom Penh Bars
Back Street Bar is buzzing at weekends, Red Bar serves cheap beers and Welsh visitors can check-in at the Welsh Embassy, with the Welsh Consulate recently opening in Toul Tom Poung.
Langka Lane, off Street 51, is another hot spot and is home to a growing collection of cute bars and eateries – and undoubtedly some of the best Phnom Penh bars. My Way is a must, with speakeasy BattBong hidden behind a coke machine. At Palace Lane, bars, eateries, cafés and boutique stores are constantly being added to the mix. Check out one of the latest kids on the block, Craft, for top beers and evening entertainment.
Riverside Bars
The Riverside – Sisowath Quay – is home to a lively stretch of night spots that range from dive bars through to classy rooftop drinking. Juniper gin bar is a must, especially at sunset thanks to its vistas that take in the river and cityscape. Rukkha Sky Bar is popular with the capital’s elite crowd, while Le Moon is a stalwart on the riverside scene and a favourite with young Cambodian couples. On the ground level, head to Metro Hassakan with its great selection of cocktails and excellent Asian tapas.
Beyond the bars there are plenty more things to do in Phnom Penh to discover.