Siem Reap Nightlife

Most visitors to Siem Reap are more interested in daytime visits to the nearby temples than the town's nightlife but there's quite a lively night scene and for a good evening out there are several good spots worth checking out.

For starters, most of the popular bars are close to the Old Market and the river, down the appropriately named 'Pub Street' and the two best and noisiest nightlife places on this street are The Angkor What? (the area's nightlife pioneer) and The Temple Club, a full-on dance affair – the Temple Club is complemented by the Temple Bar a few doors down.

There were only three bars here some ten years ago – now there are around 40 establishments within a 200 metre stroll from the market so take your pick… The Angkor What? is usually (and logically) the place that temple visitors frequent and is therefore quite busy and a good place to compare notes with other travelers.

Easy Speaking Café and Pub, just next to the Angkor What?, handles the busy bar's spillover. A similar crowd stays late. Buddha Lounge, in the same area, also is quite busy, stays open late and has a free pool table. Ivy Bar is a popular expat haunt. Works of local photographers line the wall, and this is home away from office for lots of travel writers and correspondents. It's just on the northwest corner of the market.

As in Phnom Penh, there is a FCC Angkor with largely the same atmosphere but in fairly opulent setting, being the former French Governor's mansion. Just off Sivatha Road you will find the Sok San – a very lively and fun disco that attracts a largely Asian crowd, but does cater for foreigners.

For an alternative to the 'normal' night scene try Laundry, on a side street to the north of the Old Market. This is the funky side of Siem Reap and where things happen when people really want to get down and dirty and where special and well-advertised events happen.

Local expats handle the live music at Molly Malone's with cover versions of the Beatles and other popular acts. As you'd expect, Molly's has a good range of imported and local beer and the obligatory Irish whisky.

The heart of the city has a number of nightclubs and bars and these places come alive after visitors return from their day tours. Native people along with the tourists swarm to the bars, pubs, night clubs and discos from the early evening and oftentimes the party runs till the morning. There are plenty of Western-owned bars in key areas, as well as quite a few discos, massage parlours and karaoke bars and yes, there is naughty nightlife, but bar girls remain (almost) respectably clothed and you'll never see anything remotely close to Patpong, Patong or Pattaya in Thailand.

The once notorious K11 still exists, albeit in a more toned-down incarnation. The X Bar is now by far the late, late venue of choice, rocking on through dawn virtually every night. There is good food served up with regular 'movie nights'.