Nightlife in the Kingdom of Cambodia is lively with many diverse options, which go beyond famous temples and daytime attractions. Nighttime socialising is plentiful and robust, ranging from lively street pub districts to beach parties, numerous rooftop lounges, and more.
If you want to dance until the break of dawn or enjoy the scenery of the river or the ocean while lounging with a drink in hand, the entire Cambodian nightlife experience will enhance your overall travel experience.
Cambodia Nightlife Overview
Southeast Asia offers many destinations that have amazing nightlife, but Cambodia’s nightlife is very different. Compared to other popular destinations like Bangkok, Thailand, and Bali, Indonesia, Cambodia has a more relaxed nighttime atmosphere; however, it is still extremely entertaining and engaging. Nightlife in Cambodia is appealing because it is generally not very crowded, and it also tends to be more affordable than Bangkok or Bali, which means that a traveler will have an easier time having fun at his or her own pace.
Currently, Phnom Penh is leading the way in creating some really stylish and modern rooftop bars as well as some incredibly fun clubs and nightclubs. It’s also worth mentioning that Siem Reap remains one of the most famous locations for partying AT night because of its Pub Street. Finally, the island of Koh Rong has reclaimed its spot among backpackers and young travelers due to its laid-back beach party vibe, which offers plenty of opportunities to go out and have fun hanging out.
One of the other things that makes nightlife in Cambodia more appealing is how affordable it is. Most travelers will find that they can comfortably bar hop, club, or sit and relax with cocktails at an average price of about USD 10-30 per night. If you are traveling as a backpacker and want to find a place with a great social atmosphere, or are a couple looking for a place to chill out, or love to party all night long, then you need to explore nightlife in Cambodia in 2026!
Best Cities to Experience Cambodia Nightlife
Cambodia has not yet become a travel hotspot like Thailand, but its nightlife is gaining popularity quickly due to the variety of experiences available, from fun party areas to relaxing riverside bars, and in between. Because of this, there’s an opportunity to match your style with what is offered in different areas of Cambodia.
Phnom Penh: The Most Diverse Cambodia Nightlife Scene
As the capital of Cambodia, the variety of nightlife offered in Phnom Penh is unmatched by any other city in the country. From relaxing bars to classy cocktail lounges, as well as rooftop bars with breathtaking views of the Mekong River, there is something for everyone.
The Riverside area has become a very popular area for nightlife. There are many bars and pubs in this part of town that are open until late at night and cater to both local residents and visitors from around the world. Bassac Lane is also popular amongst expats and professionals. It offers boutique-style, small, intimate bar settings that have creative cocktail menus.
Phnom Penh has a wide selection of rooftop bars. Visitors can take in the spectacular views of the city while sipping on cocktails. In addition, it also offers a unique option for travelers who would like a wide range of options and would like a less wild and slightly more cosmopolitan/socialized experience in the evening than going out all night long.
You can visit one of these sky bars to enjoy the Cambodia nightlife in Phnom Penh:
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Sora Skybar: This is the highest Rooftop Bar in the area; it offers spectacular city views and refined cocktails. Great for sunset drinks and an upscale night out.
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Eclipse Sky Bar: Eclipse Sky Bar is a casual setting overlooking the Mekong River with budget-friendly drinks rather than luxury elements.
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Le Moon Rooftop: Le Moon Rooftop has a stylish atmosphere and a calm vibe; excellent for couples or travelers looking for a relaxing night.
Siem Reap: The Party Capital for Tourists
For tourists coming to Cambodia for its nightlife, Siem Reap is usually considered the number one in the country. Siem Reap has a very active nightlife after dark for your enjoyment.
Pub Street is where most of the bars, clubs, and pubs with music are located. Everyone loves to go bar hopping here, and the drink prices are affordable, which also results in an enjoyable atmosphere with international guests. After exploring Angkor Wat all day long, many travelers go directly to Pub Street to kick back and meet new people after a long day of exploring the area.
Other than Pub Street, Siem Reap also features more relaxed, quieter cocktail bars and lounges for those who enjoy a more low-key environment. All types of travelers are welcome in this city, including backpackers, groups of friends, and anyone else who enjoys an upbeat social nightlife environment.
Here are some famous bars in Siem Reap recommended by many tourists:
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Angkor What? Bar: Known to be one of the most popular party bars in town, famous for its loud music, cheap alcohol, and vibrant international crowds.
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Temple Club: A popular nightlife destination with DJs, dance floors, and themed nights.
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Asana Old Wooden House: A wooden house converted into a cocktail bar, providing a relatively quiet alternative to the merriment in Pub Street.
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X-Bar: This bar is near Angkor What? Bar and is a rooftop-style party bar that opens quite late at night. It is reviewed to be suitable for young travelers and backpackers
Sihanoukville: Where Beach Parties Meet Casino Nightlife
Sihanoukville is the best place in Cambodia for tourists looking to experience a combination of the beach and the nightlife, as both have a strong influence over this unique Cambodian city, with the most noticeable combination being with a beach bar, nightclub (bars), and casino (gambling) at night.
There are a few places on Otres Beach known for their casual beach bars and beach parties, in addition to the affordable beach drinks available at sunset. Gambling (Casinos, Live Entertainment, etc.) is also a growing industry throughout Cambodia, and Sihanoukville has been the frontrunner as it continues to pull in those who enjoy game nights, with many visitors being on vacation and/or working while visiting the Southern Coast of Cambodia.
You can refer to our list of famous beach bars in Sihanoukville to have more detailed preparation for your journey:
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Otres Corner Beach Bar: This is a relaxed beach bar with sunset cocktails, dining, and is suitable for sitting with fellow travelers
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Dany’s Beach Club: Chill atmosphere, hammocks, and beachfront seating are what make this club special, especially at night
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Prince Club Sihanoukville: If you’re looking for a more lively space with DJs, electronic music, and a high-energy atmosphere, this address is perfect.
Kampot and Kep: Cambodia Nightlife for Slow Travelers
However, if big clubs, massive party streets, and dancing through the night are not your cup of tea, the towns of Kampot and Kep offer a calm nightlife experience.
Kampot has riverside bars, which offer a serene atmosphere accompanied by soft music, acoustic music performances, and a warm environment. Kep is even more serene, with a few beachside bars where people can have refreshments while listening to the crashing waves.
Kampot and Kep nightlife is great for couples, slow travelers, and anyone in general who wants to unwind in a peaceful atmosphere at night.
Unmissable Experiences to Enjoy the Cambodia Nightlife
Nightlife in Cambodia has much more than just pubs and clubs to offer. There are many ways for every type of traveler to enjoy Cambodia at night, including a variety of social atmospheres, night markets, cultural performances, and casual walks along the riverside.
Going Out to Bars and Club Crawling
Going out to bars is a very popular thing to do at night in Cambodia, particularly in cities that attract large amounts of tourism, like Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. For instance, in Pub Street and Riverside, there are so many bars located within proximity of each other that it’s easy for patrons to hop from one bar to another.
For solo travelers and backpackers, a bar crawl may be a fun way to meet new friends while also experiencing the local nightlife of a city. A bar crawl can include free shots, drink discounts, plus an opportunity to meet new people and tour the area with the help of someone who knows the area well.
Visit A Night Market Or Eat Street Food
Cambodia’s night markets are great places to spend the evening in a relaxed atmosphere. The Angkor Night Market (Siem Reap) and the Phnom Penh Night Market (Phnom Penh) are popular night markets that sell not only local street food but also souvenirs and have open-air restaurants to eat at.
Eating at a night market enables you to taste Cambodian foods, drink at affordable prices, and see how Cambodians live after the sun goes down. Night markets are excellent options for families, couples, or people looking to escape the loud, crowded nightlife venues.
Experience A Foot and Body Massage after A Long Day
One often overlooked but highly enjoyable nighttime experience in Cambodia is a foot and body massage. After long days of walking and temple-hopping at sites like Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm, many travelers find evening massages to be one of the most relaxing and practical ways to spend their nights.
In cities such as Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Kampot, massage shops and spas are easy to find and usually stay open until late in the evening. Services commonly include:
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Foot massage
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Full body massage
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Traditional Khmer massage
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Aroma oil massage
Massage in Cambodia is very affordable, typically ranging from USD 5 to 15 per hour, making it accessible for all types of travelers.
Take a Night Cruise or Riverside Walk
How about experiencing Phnom Penh and Kampot at night with a boat ride through the rivers or a walk along the river to enjoy the Cambodian nightlife? The rivers that flow through these two cities will take you through a beautifully lit city, and the experience of being on the water is very romantic and special, particularly if you’re a couple
A great way to unwind and enjoy the atmosphere of the riverside at night is to take a stroll along the riverside while enjoying a cold drink from one of the many bars or restaurants that serve themselves outdoors or just hanging out with friends all night long.
Beach Bar and Sunset-to-Night Experience
In beach locations (like Sihanoukville), the nightlife generally begins with “sunset drinking” in beach bars. As people relax at these locations listening to chill music and enjoying the ocean views, they build a social atmosphere that is different from beaches in landlocked cities.
Beach bars are well-suited for those visitors who want to relax and have an evening of fun with friends over casual conversation and cocktails. The transition from day to night will be much slower at beach bars compared to the other types of venues.
Visit a Casino or Enjoy Late-Night Entertainment
For some people, especially if you are visiting Sihanoukville and/or Phnom Penh, casinos provide their own unique nightlife experiences. Many casinos have an associated bar, and some provide live shows and eateries that stay open late into the night, even if you do not wish to gamble.
Some travellers enjoy exploring activities that are not located in the conventional club/bar atmosphere.
Best Time to Experience Nightlife in Cambodia
The best time to enjoy the nightlife in Cambodia is based on the season, day of the week, and holidays/events.
Cambodia experiences its highest level of nightlife during the high season (November-March) when weather conditions are more conducive to partying (cool) and the influx of many international tourists results in a higher concentration of nightlife options.
Although the low season (May-October), and therefore more affordable, will see fewer people out on Friday/Saturday nights than in the High Season, many extremely popular events like the Khmer New Year, the Water Festival, and Christmas/New Year, see much larger numbers of locals and international visitors partying in the same locations.
Safe Tips for Enjoying Cambodia Nightlife
Cambodia’s tourist areas are very safe, overall and at night, but like anywhere you travel, basic caution is the best way to have a successful and enjoyable night out! Here are some things you should remember when experiencing Cambodia nightlife.
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Be Aware of Pick-Picking and Over-Drinking
There is always a risk of pickpocketing at nightlife hotspots, such as Pub Street in Siem Reap and Riverside in Phnom Penh. Protect your phone, wallet, and valuables by keeping them on your body at all times, and do not carry large sums of money.
Practice drinking responsibly by: Only accepting drinks from reputable venues, drinking slowly while trying local spirits and cocktails during happy hour.
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Check to make sure you have safe transportation at night.
Tuk-tuks and ride-hailing applications are typically affordable and readily available late at night. Always confirm the fare prior to entering a tuk-tuk, or opt for using a ride-hailing application to establish an original price and provide additional security.
Whenever possible, attempt to avoid walking great lengths alone at night (particularly after departing from a bar or club).
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Use caution in specified areas late at night.
Whenever possible, remain along busy and well-lit stretches of nightlife; do not venture into quiet areas after midnight. Some lesser-developed portions of cities or remote beach locations may appear unsettling to a first-time visitor at night.
If you are feeling uncomfortable in a location, follow your instincts and remove yourself from the environment.
4-Day Cambodia Itinerary with Nightlife
This 4-day sample itinerary combines cultural landmarks, local experiences, and some of the best-known nightspots in Cambodia and is perfect for someone visiting Cambodia for the first time.
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Day 1
Day 1 is spent in Siem Reap exploring many sites from the Angkor Complex, including Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom as well as Ta Prohm, Cambodia’s best-known temple sites. In the evening, you will visit the Angkor Night Market. After visiting the market, you can enjoy the nightlife in Siem Reap’s Pub Street area.
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Day 2
Day 2 will be another relaxing day in Siem Reap, so you can either continue to spend time in the Old Market area or visit some cafés located within the town. In the evening, if you want a calmer nightlife experience, you can visit a cocktail bar such as Asana Old Wooden House or enjoy cocktails from the rooftop lounge bars located in the Pub Street area.
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Day 3
On Day 3, you will travel to Phnom Penh to explore the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and National Museum during the day and then have supper at one of the riverside restaurants on Sisowath Quay before going out for a cocktail at either Sora Skybar or at one of the many bars located in Bassac Lane after dinner.
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Day 4
On Day 4, we will spend the day enjoying the shopping and local cuisine at either Central Market or Russian Market, and then, on the final night of your visit, either go bar-hopping in Bassac Lane or enjoy the backpacker nightlife of Riverside in Phnom Penh.
The suggested itinerary provides examples for experiencing Cambodia’s cultural and nightlife entertainment. To create your own Cambodian experience that fits your needs as a traveler, you can utilize Vietnamtour.in to develop a personalized itinerary or take advantage of their local knowledge-based services, such as guiding tours to suit your preferences, and even create a nighttime tour experience that includes picking you up at your hotel at the beginning of the evening!
Conclusion
There are many exciting ways to enjoy the nightlife in Cambodia. You can find a variety of lively partying locations, relaxed bars and lounges, beautiful rooftops, and beach areas. Whether you want to party at many different bars in Siem Reap, have cocktails in Phnom Penh, or spend your evenings lying on the beach, Cambodia has something for everyone.
If you are looking to maximize the total experience of your trip with an itinerary that includes tips and suggestions from a local perspective, consult with Vietnamtour.in to make the most efficient and enjoyable Cambodia and Vietnam travel experience.
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