Phnom Penh Nightlife Riverside Bar Streets and What to Expect

I have a soft spot for Phnom Penh. It's less polished and less predictable than some other nightlife cities, and I like that.

A few familiar places, a good conversation, a balcony overlooking the street. Sometimes that's all I want from an evening here.

A quick look at the layout

The riverfront along Sisowath Quay, beside the Tonlé Sap River, is a useful starting point. The streets below sit around it, with bars mixed among hotels, restaurants and everyday businesses.

Street 104 is a little apart from the tighter cluster around Streets 110, 118, 130 and 136. Street 172 still appears in nightlife recommendations, so I'll explain why I give it less attention these days.

This is the Riverside part of Phnom Penh, rather than the whole city's nightlife scene.

VIP map My Phnom Penh map Pinned venues, my notes and updates for Riverside, Streets 104 to 172 Unlock the full map →

Street 104: When I want a quieter night

Street 104 sits a little away from the main cluster, which is part of why I like it.

Cold, cheap beers, a game of pool and music you can talk over. That's the appeal here. If you're after a chilled evening without loud music in your face, this is where I'd point you.

It doesn't need to be the busiest street to be a good place to spend the night.

Streets 110 and 118: There's more behind the doors

These two can look quiet from the pavement. The fronts aren't particularly flashy, but I wouldn't judge them only by what's happening around the doors.

Take Croco on Street 118. Inside, I'd put it somewhere between a lounge and a nightclub. You get a different impression once you're in the room.

If a place catches your eye, step inside and see how it feels. A quiet stretch outside doesn't necessarily mean a quiet evening inside.

Street 130: A few familiar faces

By Street 130, the bars start packing closer together. Small bars, KTVs and places that mix a bit of both.

A few bars keep me coming back here, including Pour-Hub. I like dropping in for a chat with Josh, the owner. He's from Alaska and knows plenty about Phnom Penh and what's going on around town.

Those conversations are part of the appeal for me. Once you know a few people, you have a reason to return beyond whatever caught your eye on the first visit.

Street 136: Neon and a couple of favourites

Street 136 makes the biggest impression from outside. More neon, more visible activity and a stronger sense that you've arrived in the middle of the nightlife.

A couple of places here have kept me coming back for years.

OSTEX Bar 136 has inexpensive beer, free pool and KTV rooms. For me, though, the balcony is the best part. It's my favourite spot around here to sit and watch the nightlife below.

Charlie Chan's is another place I enjoy. It's spacious and a bit more upscale by Phnom Penh standards, but still comfortable and laid back. I like having room to settle in without the place feeling stiff.

Street 172: One I usually skip now

Street 172 used to play a bigger part in the nightlife picture. These days, I usually leave it out.

There are still a few low-key bars and local restaurants. Fine if that's what you're looking for, but if you're only in Phnom Penh for a few days, I wouldn't make a special nightlife detour.

I'd spend that time in the other streets.

Step inside and see what suits you

Many venues around Riverside mix several things together. Pool, conversation, music and private karaoke rooms can all be part of the same place.

Step inside and get a feel for it. Maybe you fancy a chat. Maybe a game of pool, or KTV with friends. You don't have to decide the whole evening from the pavement.

That's something I like about Phnom Penh nightlife. There are a few ways to enjoy the same venue, depending on your mood.

If you go for a karaoke room or a package, just check what's included and what it costs.

There's a city around the bars, too

I also like how ordinary life carries on around all of this. Restaurants, cafés, hotels and bars share the same streets.

You can have dinner, wander by the river, find somewhere to sit and take your time. A rooftop gives you another view of the city when you feel like a change.

Staying nearby is convenient, although a hotel directly above a busy bar may come with its own soundtrack. Worth remembering when you book.

For more of the country, browse the Cambodia nightlife guides, or read my Siem Reap nightlife guide if Angkor is next on your trip.