Siem Reap wakes up around 7 p.m. near Pub Street. Phnom Penh is brasher, more local, more authentic. Dollar beers, honest cocktails, and a few spots worth hunting down.
Pub Street for the vibe, side streets for the best addresses, night market for street food. Bars with Khmer live music, cocktails worth the detour, and spots to avoid.
See the guide →BKK1 for trendy bars, Sisowath Quay for Mekong atmosphere, Street 308 for locals. Rooftops, post-midnight clubs, and the Kanika sunset cruise before the night begins.
See the guide →Grab works in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap until late. Avoid hailed tuk-tuks on the street after midnight, especially if you've been drinking. Agree the price before getting in.
Snatch-theft from passing motorbikes: don't take out your phone or bag on the street side at night. Carry limited cash and documents.
Drug use is severely punished in Cambodia, including for foreigners. Police arrests happen. Never accept substances from strangers — fines and prison sentences are real.
The Kanika sunset cruise on the Mekong in Phnom Penh — the best aperitif before a night out.
