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Entertainment & Nightlife in Siem Reap

Good to know

Good to Know

  • Cambodia's economy is heavily dollarized — nearly all bar tabs in Siem Reap are priced and paid in US dollars, not Cambodian Riel, so bring or withdraw USD for a night out.
  • Pub Street itself is the loudest, most tourist-dense strip; many longer-term residents and nomads prefer the quieter, more grown-up scene in Wat Damnak, Wat Bo Road, Taphul Road, and Kandal Village, all a short walk or cheap tuk-tuk ride away.
  • Happy hours are widespread and generous, typically running 4–9pm with steep discounts on beer and cocktails.
  • At high-turnover Pub Street venues, it's worth double-checking your bill and change — this has been a recurring complaint about at least one major Pub Street club.
  • Rooftop sunset spots with river or skyline views fill up fast in high season — arrive before about 5:30pm if you want a good seat.
  • Siem Reap's festival scene skews toward free, community, or government-sponsored cultural events rather than large ticketed international music festivals — don't expect a Southeast Asian equivalent of Tomorrowland here.
  • Bambu Stage in Wat Damnak Village is the recurring hub for several of the city's grassroots live-music events (Harmony Festival, REvibe), so it's worth following local event pages (like Siem Reap Wonder's events calendar) for exact dates each year since they shift annually.
  • If you want music specifically layered into a bigger event, Angkor Sankranta (Khmer New Year, mid-April) offers nightly performances at Angkor Wat itself, but it's primarily a cultural/New Year festival rather than a dedicated music festival.

Dance Clubs

  • Temple Bar
    Neighborhood
    Main Pub Street
    Description
    Part of the Temple Group, this is the main party venue on Pub Street with booming music and a dance area, including a small stage. Visitors are advised to double-check drink prices and change, as billing practices here have drawn complaints.

Rooftop Bars

  • Altitude (Shinta Mani Angkor & Residence)
    Neighborhood
    Kandal Village
    Description
    Perched atop the Shinta Mani Angkor & Residence in Kandal Village, offering an unparalleled 360-degree view of the city. More upscale — smart-casual dress is appropriate.
  • The Deck (Jaya House River Park)
    Neighborhood
    Along the Siem Reap River, Wat Bo area
    Description
    A rooftop bar along the Siem Reap River offering views of the riverfront and lush greenery. It has an impressive cocktail, juice and wine list, with a focus on sustainability.
  • Soria Moria Rooftop Bar
    Neighborhood
    Wat Bo Road
    Description
    A more relaxed rooftop escape from crowded Pub Street, with unique cocktails, imported wines, a rooftop pool and a cold-water jacuzzi. Food and drink are often included in the 5–7pm sunset happy hour.
  • Temple Balcony (Temple Food N Beverage)
    Neighborhood
    Street 8, Pub Street
    Description
    An open-air rooftop overlooking Pub Street, popular for watching traditional Apsara dance shows and sports. Dance performances typically run 7:30–9:30pm, followed by DJs taking song requests until midnight.
  • The Christa
    Neighborhood
    Central Siem Reap
    Description
    Offers some of the best river views from its 4th-floor terrace — arrive before 5:30pm for a sunset spot.
  • Purple Mangosteen
    Neighborhood
    Alley West, central Old Market area
    Description
    A centrally located rooftop atop four flights of stairs, offering views over Siem Reap's rooftops. Serves authentic Khmer cuisine alongside signature cocktails.

Cocktail Bars

  • Miss Wong
    Neighborhood
    Near the river / Wat Bo Road area, just off the Old Market district
    Description
    A cocktail lounge tucked near the Siem Reap River that evokes the clandestine speakeasies of the 1920s, with an intimate, sophisticated interior. It's positioned as the step up from the raw racket of Pub Street.
    Note On Sourcing
    Address/hours vary slightly between sources (one lists Street 21/Mondulkiri Village, another Street 26 near Wat Bo) — go by current Google Maps listing.
  • Asana Old Wooden House
    Neighborhood
    Just off Pub Street, Old Market district
    Description
    Established in 2012 inside a family house built in the late 1960s, it is the last remaining traditional wooden house in the Old Market district. It's known for herbal, Khmer-accented cocktails. Cash-only per recent visitor reports.
  • BAR43
    Neighborhood
    Down a quiet alley off Alley West, central Old Market area
    Description
    Frequently rated one of the finest bars in the city, known for a mixologist crafting balanced, unique cocktails. The ambiance is sophisticated but friendly; open 6:00 PM–1:00 AM, closed Tuesdays.
  • Scribe Bar (FCC Angkor by Avani)
    Neighborhood
    Old French Quarter, near the Royal Residence
    Description
    A literary-inspired cocktail bar set amid lush tropical surroundings in the old French Quarter.
  • Menaka Lounge
    Neighborhood
    Mondol Village area, near Pub Street
    Description
    An upscale spot with locally-accented craft cocktails; a cafe by day that turns into a warmly lit lounge upstairs at night, with decor referencing Cambodia's classic art era. Open 4PM–3AM daily.
  • Spin Bar
    Neighborhood
    Wat Damnak, short walk from downtown
    Description
    A cozy, low-lit cocktail bar in Wat Damnak known for well-balanced classic and bespoke cocktails. Open daily from 5:00 PM, closing at 1:00 AM most nights (2:00 AM Fri/Sat).

Live Music Venues

  • Wild
    Neighborhood
    Aleah Road, Wat Damnak
    Description
    Considered the unchallenged expat favorite for live music, with creative cocktails drawing a loyal crowd.
  • Cheers Bar and Bistro
    Neighborhood
    Pub Street area
    Description
    Has live music upstairs and more of a club vibe downstairs, with outdoor booths and an indoor dance floor. Beer, spirits and mixers run roughly $1.50–$3.
  • Elephant Bar (Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor)
    Neighborhood
    Old French Quarter
    Description
    A good way to sample the hotel's 1930s colonial atmosphere even if you're not a guest. Classic cocktails, whiskey and cigars in a colonial-era setting.
  • Laundry Bar
    Neighborhood
    Off Pub Street, Old Market area
    Description
    A chic, laid-back bar with excellent music and dim lighting that regularly hosts local and traveling DJs — some nights are chill, others turn into dancing. Open 5PM–1AM Mon–Sat, closed Sundays.

After Hours Late Night

Note
Most bars along and near Pub Street open around 5pm and run until 2–3am, with a handful operating around the clock.
  • Temple Bar
    Description
    Stays busy and loud on Pub Street well past midnight; the main late-night dancing spot on the strip.
  • Laundry Bar
    Description
    Regularly hosts DJs, with some nights turning into dancing well into the late evening.
  • Barcode
    Description
    Live entertainment/performance venue that runs into the late evening; a good after-dinner stop before or after Pub Street.

Craft Beer And Wine Bars

  • IB Taphouse
    Neighborhood
    Wat Bo Road
    Description
    Has become the go-to craft beer taproom in the city, with 30+ rotating taps.
  • Siem Reap Brewpub
    Neighborhood
    Mondol 1 Village, central area
    Description
    A microbrewery for those after a quality, flavorful pint, with its own restaurant and bar.
  • The Street
    Neighborhood
    Taphul Road
    Description
    A newer spot on Taphul Road focused on natural wines and small plates.
  • Fellini
    Neighborhood
    Bamboo Street
    Description
    Offers Italian-style aperitivo in a garden setting.

Dive Bars And Casual Pubs

  • Angkor What?
    Neighborhood
    Main Pub Street
    Description
    One of the first bars established on Pub Street, on the main strip. Runs happy hours with cheap beer and cocktails. A long-running institution, though it has historically drawn a backpacker-heavy crowd.
  • Western Tribes Bar
    Neighborhood
    Street 08, Pub Street area
    Description
    Offers a vibrant atmosphere with pool tables and very cheap drinks, well reviewed for its friendly staff. Draft beers here start at $0.50 all day.
  • Up2Me Pub
    Neighborhood
    Little Pub Street
    Description
    A laid-back pub open daily from 5pm to 2am.
  • Picasso Bar
    Neighborhood
    Just off Pub Street
    Description
    A U-shaped central bar just off Pub Street that's insanely popular among expats, with a lively, friendly mood and affordable drinks. Happy hour runs 5–9 PM daily.
  • The Bell
    Neighborhood
    A couple of minutes from Pub Street, near the Old Market
    Description
    A quieter bar and restaurant a short walk from Pub Street, with plants and pink chairs, good for people-watching near the market. Happy hour cocktails run around $2.5, with signature frozen cocktails around $4.

Cabaret And Live Entertainment

  • Barcode
    Neighborhood
    Central Siem Reap, near Pub Street
    Description
    A live-entertainment venue with talented performers and good sound quality that encourages guests to sing along; prices are reasonable for the level of entertainment.

Adult Entertainment

  • Charms Cambodia
    Format
    Hostess bar (Southeast Asian 'beer bar' style venue with female staff who socialize with customers over drinks)
    Neighborhood
    Steung Thmei, near central Siem Reap / a short ride from Pub Street
    Notes
    Operates as a licensed drinking establishment; describes itself as the city's main hostess bar, with staff there to socialize with (mostly male, foreign) patrons over pool tables and drinks. Any transactional sexual arrangement beyond paid socializing/drinks is not something the venue advertises and exists in a separate, unregulated legal gray zone in Cambodia — commercial sex work itself is not directly criminalized, but related activities like brothel-keeping and pimping are illegal, so patrons should not expect anything beyond a normal bar experience to be sanctioned or safe to assume.
  • Mickey's Night Bar
    Format
    Hostess bar (beer-bar style venue with female staff)
    Neighborhood
    Sok San Road, a short walk/ride from Pub Street
    Notes
    One of only a small handful of dedicated hostess-style bars in Siem Reap (a much smaller scene than Phnom Penh's), reportedly operating for over a decade. As with similar venues, the legitimate, licensed business is the bar itself; anything beyond drinks and socializing sits outside what the venue can lawfully offer, since related activities (solicitation, brothel-keeping) are illegal under Cambodian law.

Music Festival Scene

Overview
Siem Reap's live-music festival scene is small-scale, community-driven, and largely clustered around one recurring outdoor venue (Bambu Stage in Wat Damnak Village) plus occasional government-backed cultural showcases, rather than large ticketed international festivals. Most events are free or donation-based rather than commercial gate-priced shows.

Named Events

  • Harmony Festival
    Cost
    Free/donation-based — no fixed ticket price found
    Date
    20 December 2025 (second annual edition); typically held in December
    Venue Area
    Bambu Stage, Wat Damnak Village, Siem Reap
    Genre Focus
    Mixed — traditional Khmer music, jazz, rock, pop, indie
    Attendance Scale
    Community-scale (not a large ticketed festival); exact attendance figures not published
    Description
    A one-day, family-friendly outdoor festival combining live music, food, crafts, and a charity raffle. It runs from late morning into the night.

    Sourced Details

    • Harmony Festival is described as returning for a bigger second year with performances from local favorites and international talent.
    • The festival, now in its second annual edition, takes place at Bambu Stage in Wat Damnak Village with activities running from 11:00 AM to midnight.
    • The live lineup blends traditional Cambodian music, contemporary pop, and indie rock.
  • REvibe Music Festival
    Cost
    Free/donation-based
    Date
    Held in 2025; recurrence pattern unclear from available sources
    Venue Area
    Bambu Stage, Wat Damnak Village, Siem Reap
    Genre Focus
    Live music, community/charity showcase
    Attendance Scale
    Small, community-scale event
    Description
    A charity-oriented live music event benefiting a member of Siem Reap's expat musician community.
  • Angkor Festival
    Cost
    Cost/ticketing details not clearly published in available sources
    Date
    Annual, typically held around December
    Venue Area
    Siem Reap city, with the Angkor temple complex as a backdrop for some programming
    Genre Focus
    Folk, rock, and electronic, alongside traditional Khmer performances
    Attendance Scale
    Described as laid-back and family-friendly rather than a large commercialized festival, drawing a mix of locals, backpackers, and tourists
    Description
    A multi-day cultural-and-music event mixing traditional Khmer performances with contemporary genres.
  • Songwriters Festival
    Cost
    Details not published in available sources
    Date
    Annual (2025 edition held); exact dates vary year to year
    Venue Area
    Siem Reap (with a companion edition in Phnom Penh)
    Genre Focus
    Original songwriting / singer-songwriter
    Attendance Scale
    Small/niche, community-scale
    Description
    A newer annual festival spotlighting Cambodia's local songwriting scene.
  • Cambodia-China International Tourism Music Festival & Culture and Music Showcase
    Cost
    Public event; no ticket price found in available sources
    Date
    6 December 2025
    Venue Area
    Siem Reap province
    Genre Focus
    Mixed Cambodian and Chinese musical performances
    Attendance Scale
    Large-scale, state-backed tourism-promotion event; specific attendance figures not published
    Description
    A government-organized (Ministry of Tourism, with the Chinese Embassy) cultural diplomacy event featuring performances by Cambodian and Chinese artists.
    Sourced Note
    This is a one-off/annual government tourism-promotion event rather than a purely grassroots music festival.
  • Angkor Sankranta (Khmer New Year Festival)
    Date
    14–16 April (dates confirmed for 2026)
    Venue Area
    Six locations across Siem Reap including Angkor Wat, Royal Gardens, Siem Reap River, King's Road, Pub Street, and Angkor-Gyeongju
    Genre Focus
    Not a dedicated music festival, but includes nightly cultural/music performances as part of a broader Khmer New Year celebration
    Description
    The city's largest annual cultural festival; music/performance element includes a daily evening Apsara dance and performance program at the Angkor Wat Main Stage.
    Note On Scope
    Included here because it has a genuine nightly live-performance/music component, though its primary identity is a cultural/New Year festival, not a music festival.

Area Overview

Siem Reap's bar scene centers on Pub Street (Street 08) and the adjacent Old Market alleys, with a distinct, more grown-up secondary scene in Wat Damnak, Wat Bo Road, Kandal Village, and Taphul Road — all within a short walk or sub-10-minute tuk-tuk ride of the center.

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

This section has no cited sources.

More About Siem Reap

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.