Where to Grab a Beer in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Botanico Wine & Beer Garden serves Cerevisia craft beer
Botanico Wine & Beer Garden serves Cerevisia craft beer | © Anna Ichtchenko/ Botanico
Marissa

While Phnom Penh is awash with cheap beers, the craft brewing trend has made its way to the shores. Throw into the mix a surge in imported beers, and whatever your taste, there’s a refreshing cool beer waiting to be drunk at the bar.

Once a backpackers’ haven and overrun with beers for 50 cents, Cambodia is shaking off its shackles as a budget destination solely catering to this crowd. As it embraces a new, modern era, hip hangouts, sophisticated soirees and an eclectic mix of boutique bars are mushrooming across the city, meaning whatever your taste, there’s a place to kick back and grab a beer.

Angkor and Cambodia beers are the most popular brews across the country, with advertising for the iconic beers seemingly everywhere. In recent years, imported varieties have started to trickle into the country, followed by the recent burgeoning craft beer trend.

1. Sundance Inn & Saloon

Budget Hotel, Guesthouse

Sundance Inn & Saloon
Courtesy of Sundance Inn & Saloon

If you’re on a budget and seeking bargain-basement beers, then the backpacker hubs are the place to be. Streets 172, 278 and the riverside area – Sisowath Quay – are alive with guesthouses and bars serving $1 beers, which often dip to 50 cents during early evening happy hours. Sundance Inn & Saloon is a popular spot for cheap drinks, a chilled atmosphere, mini pool in the back and a pool table indoors.

3. Top Banana

Bar, Restaurant with Rooms, European, Asian

Top Banana is a popular guesthouse and rooftop bar
© Top Banana

Located on Street 278, near Wat Langka, Top Banana is a lively rooftop bar that is well worth a visit. With live entertainment regularly taking over the venue, this bar is often bustling well into the early hours.

4. Zeppelin Café

Bar, Asian

4. Zeppelin Café
© Melanie McMillan / Zeppelin Café

Street 278 is also home to Phnom Penh’s stalwart rock bar, Zeppelin Café, which relocated from its Street 51 venue last year. The popular bar tends to get busier in the later hours, so it’s a great spot where you can finish off the night.

5. Bassac Lane

Bar, European, Asian

The inside of Hangar 44, one of the bars that line Bassac Lane
© Rusty Compass

If you want to hang out with the cool crowd, then head to vibrant Bassac Lane where a cute collection of bars serve everything from local beer to imported and craft beverages. If you’re into bikes, then check out Hangar 44, which doubles up as Moto Cambodge’s showroom.

6. Red Bar

Bar, European

Red Bar, Tonle Bassac
© Freeman Shun / Red Bar

An upmarket dive bar, Red Bar sits around the corner from Bassac Lane on Street 308. Popular with the city’s media bodies, this relaxed hangout serves $1 beers, cheap cocktails, and wine. And if you’re hungry, they let you order from one of the many restaurants on Street 308 and eat indoors.

7. Botanico

Cafe, European, Asian

Botanico Wine & Beer Garden serves Cerevisia craft beer
© Anna Ichtchenko/ Botanico
Botanico is the go-to place for fans of bespoke beers. American brewsters, who serve their own blends under the label Cerevisia, as well as other craft beers, own this leafy beer garden. The tranquil haven also serves snacks and a range of other drinks.

8. Himawari Microbrewery

Bar, Hotel Restaurant, European, Asian

8. Himawari Microbrewery
Himawari Hotel spearheaded the craft beer trend by launching its own microbrewery. It offers four craft options that pair perfectly with the menu. Happy hour runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

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