Nightlife · Phnom Penh · Cambodia
Phnom Penh nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Phnom Penh, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The city has a lively bar scene, from riverside terraces and rooftop bars to cocktail alleys in BKK1 and late-opening clubs, with prices well below regional capitals. The main areas are Bassac Lane, Riverside, BKK1 and Street 278 and Toul Tom Poung.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Riverside (Sisowath Quay)
- Local drink
- Sugarcane juice
Where to go out
Bassac Lane
A narrow alley off Street 308 in BKK1 packed with small cocktail and craft-beer bars.
Riverside
Bars and rooftop terraces along Sisowath Quay with views of the river.
BKK1 and Street 278
Bars, wine bars and restaurants popular with expats and young Cambodians.
Toul Tom Poung
Small craft-beer bars, cafés and live-music venues near the Russian Market.
Nightlife tips
- Use a ride-hailing app to get home at night rather than walking dark side streets.
- Keep phones and bags away from the street side when sitting at roadside bars.
- Some streets near the riverside have hostess bars; check a bar's atmosphere before settling in.
Evening sights
Waterfront · Riverside (Sisowath Quay)
Sisowath Quay riverside
Walk the stretch between the Royal Palace and Wat Ounalom around sunset, then stop for a drink overlooking the water.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
Experience · Riverside (Sisowath Quay)
Sunset river cruise
Bring your own snacks or choose a boat with drinks included, and sit on the upper deck for views of the palace.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
- After dark
Landmark · BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1)
Independence Monument
Visit in the evening, when the park fills with locals and the monument is lit.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- After dark
Architecture · Wat Phnom and Central Market
Raffles Hotel Le Royal
Visit in the early evening for a classic cocktail in the Elephant Bar, a good way to see the interiors.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Expensive
- History
- Couples
- Architecture
- After dark
What to drink
- Sugarcane juice — Freshly pressed sugarcane, often with a squeeze of kumquat or lime, poured over ice; very refreshing in the afternoon heat.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. March has the warmest evenings, with lows around 24°C (75°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:55 | 22°C (72°F) | 1 |
| April | About 18:12 | 25°C (77°F) | 6 |
| July | About 18:28 | 25°C (77°F) | 16 |
| October | About 17:42 | 24°C (75°F) | 17 |
Getting home late
- Ride-hailing — Choose the small auto-rickshaw option for short hops; it is cheaper than a traditional tuk-tuk.
- Tuk-tuk — Agree the price before setting off and confirm whether it covers waiting time.
- Bus — Air-conditioned city buses run on numbered routes along the main boulevards at very low fares, useful for longer straight journeys if you are not in a hurry.
- Walking — Walking works well along the riverside and between the Royal Palace, National Museum and Wat Ounalom; elsewhere pavements are often blocked by parked motorbikes.
Late-night bites
- Stir-fried short noodles — Mobile carts and market stalls in the afternoon and evening, including at the Russian and Central markets.
- Cambodian baguette sandwich — Bread carts on street corners from early morning, especially near markets.
- Fried insects — Street vendors near markets and along the riverside in the evening.
Staying safe at night
Snatching of bags and phones by passengers on motorbikes is the most common problem, so keep valuables on the side away from traffic, including in tuk-tuks. Traffic is chaotic; cross slowly and steadily. Heat and dehydration are the other main risks.
- Emergency number
- 117 police, 118 fire, 119 ambulance
Where to stay for nightlife
$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife and budget
Riverside (Sisowath Quay)
Sisowath Quay runs for about 3 km along the Tonle Sap from the Royal Palace north towards the Night Market, lined with hotels, cafés and bars facing the water. It is the most convenient base for first-timers, with the palace, National Museum and Wat Ounalom within walking distance and boats for sunset cruises leaving from the quay.
- Good
- Walk to the main sights; River views and evening promenade; Plenty of tuk-tuks and restaurants
- Watch out
- Touristy restaurants and touts; Traffic noise and some seedy bars on side streets
- Nearby
- Royal Palace, National Museum of Cambodia, Wat Ounalom, Sisowath Quay
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Phnom Penh?
Bassac Lane, Riverside and BKK1 and Street 278. A narrow alley off Street 308 in BKK1 packed with small cocktail and craft-beer bars.
+Which area of Phnom Penh is best for nightlife?
Riverside (Sisowath Quay): Guesthouses, bars and river views along the promenade facing the Tonle Sap.