Events, Festivals and Exhibitions

For an evening of bubbles and Champagne sabrage rituals, head to Raffles in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

If you enjoy a glass of bubbles, then Raffles hotels in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh is gearing up to host an exclusive Champagne sabrage event by Confrérie du Sabre d’Or.

Confrérie du Sabre d’Or is internationally renowned among Champagne aficionados for the ritual. For those who don’t know, Champagne sabrage involves severing the top of the bottle with a sword. It dates back to the era of French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who is said to have cherished a drink of Champagne from bottles newly opened with a military saber after every winning battle.

Champagne Sabrage

The ritual was established more than 200 years ago by stylish young French military officers. The ritual involves a master, who holds the bottle of Champagne by the heels. The master then slides his or her sword up and down the neck of the bottle to warm it.

Next, in a smooth single movement, the master accelerates his or her arm forward to slide the saber firmly along the neck of the bottle to decapitate the ring, or top neck of the bottle. This sends an impressive gush of Champagne across the floor.

At Raffles, the traditional sabrage ceremony will be conducted by the Grand Master of La Confrérie du Sabre d’Or.

What does the event involve?

On Friday, March 17, Raffles Hotel Le Royal’s Restaurant Le Royal will serve a special four-course French menu with Champagne pairing priced at $145. Each guest is invited to hone their skills and saber a bottle of Champagne to officially join the Confrérie du Sabre d’Or.

This will mark the second time the ceremony has been held at the hotel; the first occurred in 2019.

On Sunday, March 19, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor will host the ceremony for the first time, with a luxurious brunch at Café d’Angkor that includes live music. The cost of the event is $55 or $95 with free-flow Champagne.

The event is priced from $55++ per person or $95++ with free flow Champagne.