Phnom Penh nightlife guide

A selection of the best bars and nightlife in Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh nightlife guide

Introduction

| 13 May 2016
Last updated 13 May 2016

Phnom Penh's nightlife moves from classy highs of rooftops, colonial villas, cocktails and cool micro-bars to some of Asia's seediest dives. Rule one is don't spend all your time on the river. The best nightlife is back towards town - especially in the BKK1 area and around Bassac Lane.

There's a growing sophistication to Phnom Penh's nocturnal offerings for travellers - though any night out will likely involve the odd collision with the city's seedy side.

The later you party, the more pervasive the seediness becomes too.

Don't let that stop you though. There are plenty of atmospheric places to enjoy a drink and the party goes all night in many of the city's clubs. There's lots of fun to be had.

The riverfront is packed with small bars with outdoor seating - perfect for a casual drink. We've listed a handful but you can easily wander along the strip to see which place takes your fancy.

Mansion Heritage bar is a great place for a late afternoon early evening drink - as is the popular FCC which is around the corner.

If you want to experience the surprising depth of Phnom Penh's nightlife offerings though, you'll need to head away from the river. You might want to start at the micro-bars of Bassac Lane or Bouchon Wine Bar. Bar Sito is also popular and open later.

The very late, seedier haunts are still clustered around St 51.

Safety in Phnom Penh is much improved since the 90s. But like everywhere, the risks of trouble definitely increase late at night. Be careful. Phnom Penh’s geography is very straightforward so try and get a handle on it and know where you’re going.

Stay away from drugs. Bad drugs have claimed a number young party goers to Phnom Penh in recent years.

Read more introduction

Zeppelin Bar, Phnom Penh

Zeppelin is a quirky heavy metal bar that still believes 33rpm, vinyl and turntables are the way music should be played. Owned... Read more

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Zeppelin Bar, Phnom Penh
#13 Street 278, Phnom Penh
+855 012-881181

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Botanico Craft Beer Garden, Phnom Penh

The craft beer thing has touched down in Phnom Penh and Botanico beer garden is the best place to check out the range of local... Read more

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Botanico Craft Beer Garden, Phnom Penh
St 29, Phnom Penh
+855 77 943 135

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Le Boutier, Phnom Penh

Cool, classic little cocktail bar just outside Bassac Lane on St 308 serving the standards and some tasty originals too. Read more

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Le Boutier, Phnom Penh
#32 street 308, Phnom Penh - right by Bassac Lane
+855 97 675 3004

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Cafe Metro, Phnom Penh

Cafe Metro is perfect for a glass of wine or a cocktail right on the Phnom Penh riverfront. The feel inside is... Read more

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Cafe Metro, Phnom Penh
Corner Sisowath Quay & Street 148, Phnom Penh

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Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC), Phnom Penh

The iconic Foreign Correspondent's Club was never a club for foreign correspondents - though it has hosted a fair number of... Read more

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Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC), Phnom Penh
363 Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh

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Heart of Darkness, Phnom Penh

Heart Of Darkness bar, like Apocalypse Now in Saigon, can thank author Joseph Conrad for inspiration. And it shares Apo's... Read more

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Heart of Darkness, Phnom Penh
38 Street 51 St (Pasteur St), Phnom Penh

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Pontoon Nightclub, Phnom Penh

Pontoon has never looked back since it ceased to be a literal pontoon some years ago and moved to dry land. These days it's busy... Read more

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Pontoon Nightclub, Phnom Penh
Street 172, just off Street 51, Golden Sorya, Phnom Penh
+855 (0)16779966

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Riverhouse, Phnom Penh

The River House is a survivor of the Phnom Penh nightclub scene. The soundtrack is dance / pop, and the mainly young Khmer crowd... Read more

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Riverhouse, Phnom Penh
Corner of St. 110 and Sisowath Quay Phnom Penh
Tel:+855 (0) 12 299 161

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Sharky Bar, Phnom Penh

Sharky describes itself as the longest running rock n roll bar in Indochina. It dates back to the mid 90s when things in Phnom... Read more

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Sharky Bar, Phnom Penh
126 Street 130, Phnom Penh
+855122228045

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Van's rooftop, Phnom Penh

The rooftop of Van's restaurant sees few customers. And that makes it a great little spot to wrap up a Phnom Penh day. Van's, is... Read more

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Van's rooftop, Phnom Penh
No. 5, St. 102, Place de la Poste
, Phnom Penh
+855 23 722 067

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Elephant Bar, Raffles Le Royal Hotel,

The Raffles Le Royal Hotel is worth visiting both as a piece of stunning French colonial architecture, and also for its part in... Read more

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Elephant Bar, Raffles Le Royal Hotel,
92 Rukhak Vithei Daun Penh, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh
+855 23 981 888

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The Exchange, Phnom Penh

The Exchange is a grand French colonial villa located beyond Wat Phnom that's been stripped back and transformed into a... Read more

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The Exchange, Phnom Penh
28 Street 47 (France St), Phnom Penh
+855 23 992 865

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Hangar 44, Phnom Penh

Part bar, part custom-built motorcycle showroom, Hangar 44 is making a big impact on Phnom Penh’s Bassac Lane small bar scene. Read more

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Hangar 44, Phnom Penh
Bassac Lane, off 308 St, Phnom Penh

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Bars of Bassac Lane, Phnom Penh

The micro-bars of Phnom Penh’s Bassac Lane have given the city’s nightlife a big boost. Read more

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Bars of Bassac Lane, Phnom Penh
Bassac Lane off St 308, Phnom Penh

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Howie Bar, Phnom Penh

Howie is something of a Phnom Penh late night institution - due to its longevity rather than any standout virtues. The music’s... Read more

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Howie Bar, Phnom Penh
32 street 51 (aka Pasteur St) - next to Heart of Darkness

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Vito Club, Phnom Penh

The retro sounds of the 70s and 80s abound at Vito - a Phnom Penh club that dedicates itself to the tunes of an era that few of... Read more

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Vito Club, Phnom Penh
8 St 214 (Samdach Pan), Phnom Penh

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Duplex, Phnom Penh

Duplex is a popular open bar and lounge located in Phnom Penh’s expat area. It’s a nice break from the bars of the riverfront.... Read more

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Duplex, Phnom Penh
3, Street 278. Wat Langka. BKK 1. Phnom Penh. Cambodia
+855 (0) 84 84 85 55

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Club Love, Phnom Penh

Club Love is one of Phnom Penh’s busiest backpacker dance and party venues. It’s located in an expat part of the city, just past... Read more

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Club Love, Phnom Penh
3, Street 278. Wat Langka. BKK 1. Phnom Penh

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Meta House, Phnom Penh

Meta House offers an alternative night out in Phnom Penh with a mix of art-house films and documentaries, comedy, DJs, parties,... Read more

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Meta House, Phnom Penh
37 Sothearos Boulevard, Songkhat Tonle Bassak, Khan Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh
+855 - (0) 23 - 218 987

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