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Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh

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Phnom Penh Nightlife

Nightlife in Phnom Penh is pretty vibrant and there are a large number of bars to choose from. There are only a few live music venues, although some of the international hotels have bands from the Philippines. Most nightlife in Phnom Penh can be found along Sisowath Quay, on Street 104 and also on Street 51 between Streets 174 and 154, known as The Strip.

Culture in Phnom Pench revolves around the traditional Cambodian apsara dancing, which is very slow and graceful. Skills have been retained despite the loss of many dancers during the Khmer Rouge years.

You can find information on performances in the Friday edition of the Cambodia Daily (www.cambodiadaily.com), The Phnom Penh Post (www.phnompenhpost.com), which comes out once a fortnight, and the irreverent monthly Bayon Pearnik (www.bayonpearnik.com).

Bars in Phnom Penh

Paddy Rice

This is a popular Irish sports bar on the waterfront with great pavement seating for a spot of people watching. Alternatively, tuck in to some hearty pub grub. So whether you miss Premier League football, international cricket, golf or rugby, find the live game of your choice here – 24 hours a day. Join in the fun on Friday nights when live bands perform.

213-217 Sisowath Quay
Tel: (023) 990 321.
Website: www.paddyrice.net

The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Cambodia

This is a popular hangout with journalists, diplomats, travellers and the occasional movie star. The bar is set within a boutique hotel with sweeping views of the Mekong River. Most people passing through Phnom Penh have heard about the FCC so make sure you stop for a drink, especially during the daily happy hour, and play a game of pool.

Sisowath Quay
Tel: (023) 724 014.
Website: www.fcccambodia.com/phnom_penh

Walkabout Bar

Located on The Strip, the city's entertainment district which hustles and bustles late into the night, this is one of the most popular bars in the city. Open 24 hours, seven days a week, there is always an ice-cold beer on tap and you can watch your favourite sporting events on the huge TV screen. Join in the Tuesday night pool competition and win free drinks.

Corner of Streets 174 and 51
Tel: (023) 211 715.
Website: www.walkabouthotel.com

Clubs in Phnom Penh

Darlin Darlin

Head to Phnom Penh's glitzy entertainment resort, a chic location where the city's young and trendy like to see and be seen and enjoy the huge range of cocktails and imported wines. DJs and a resident live band perform nightly and for a change of scene, try a bit of karaoke in Club 88 or try not to lose your shirt in the casino.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen Park
Tel: (023) 228 822.
Website: www.nagaworld.com

Martini

Dance late into the night at this western-style disco bar, which plays all the latest sounds including dance, hip hop and indie. This is a longstanding favourite in Phnom Penh, and one that all motodop drivers know where to find. If it gets too hot in the disco, cool off in the outdoor bar, play a game of pool or watch movies on the giant outdoor screen.

45 Street 95
Tel: (011) 874 416.
Website: www.martini-cambodia.com

Riverhouse Lounge

A fun venue for the young and trendy of Phnom Penh to dance the night away as the DJs play contemporary sounds. DJs perform every night and there are regular theme parties. When the dancing gets too much, head out to the balcony overlooking the river to cool down with an ice-cold cocktail.

Street 110 at corner of Sisowath Quay
Tel: (023) 220 180.
Website: www.riverhousecambodia.com

Live Music in Phnom Penh

Equinox

Listen to the live local bands, check out the changing exhibitions by local artists, or cool down on the rooftop terrace at this perennial favourite located on the city's Golden Mile, Street 278. This is one of the places to head for if you just want to relax with a cold beer and some good music.

3a Street 278
Tel: (092) 791 958.
Website: www.equinox-cambodia.com

Sharky's Bar

Large, buzzy bar that hosts live bands at the weekends with the emphasis on rock 'n roll and a showcase for many new bands, expat and Khmer, that are appearing on the Phnom Penh nightlife scene. It also hosts the annual Penhstock festival featuring a weekend of live music. This is a longstanding favourite with pool tables, large screen for sporting events, big beer selection and serving Tex-Mex, Thai and Western food.

126 Street 130
Tel: (023) 211 825.
Website: www.sharkybar.blogspot.com

Studio 182

Good live music is hard to find in Phnom Penh but this venue hosts an array of local and international performing jazz and soul music. It’s a sophisticated place to enjoy music or relax on the open-air terrace overlooking Norodom Boulevard with a good selection of spirits, cocktails, an excellent wine cellar and a Cuban cigar room.

182 Norodom Boulevard
Tel: (023) 221 622.
Website: www.topaz-restaurant.com

Music and Dance in Phnom Penh

Chatomuk Theatre

Chaktomuk Theatre
There are performances of traditional music and dance at the Chaktomuk Theatre on Sisowath Quay every Friday night. Dancers from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts Department of Performing Arts perform the classical apsara dance as well as folk dances from ethnic groups.

Sisowath Quay
Tel: (023) 725 119.

Souvanna Phum Theatre

Traditional Cambodian apsara dancing is very slow and graceful and the skills have been retained despite losing so many dancers during the Khmer Rouge years. There are performances of traditional dance, music and shadow puppetry most Friday and Saturday evenings at the Souvanna Phum Theatre. Most of the performers are graduates from the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh.

166 Street 99
Tel: (023) 987 564.
Website: www.shadow-puppets.org

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