Gay Phnom Penh Travel Guide

That drag act who shook their booty in our faces? That happened in Blue Chilli -Cambodia’s oldest and most-loved gay bar. It’s the center of Phnom Penh’s gay universe, and for good reason. It’s probably the most diverse spot in the whole country, with people of all sizes, genders, races, and orientations coming together for a night of drinking, music, and merriment. There is a happy ‘hour' every day from 5pm to 8pm, where we treated ourselves to some delightful fruity cocktails.

Phnom Penh’s gay scene has a little bit of everything… and POC is their highbrow, stylish bar. Think premium cocktails served by handsome bar staff. And yet that boujie façade peels away as the night goes on. That’s when the near-nude exotic dancers emerge and the electro-pop beats come on. Things typically heat up after 10pm, especially on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. 

Have you ever been slurping a tasty drink in a gay bar and thought to yourself “You know what would make this night even better? …Puppies!” Well, Space Hair Salon has now filled in that market gap. Not only is it home to a couple of adorable resident canines, but it’s also a hair salon by day (yup, the name isn’t tongue-in-cheek). You can pop in that day to get your roots topped up, then stay put for a fabulous drink and boogie in the evening. The age of convenience has well and truly arrived ya’ll!

Ok, ok, so it’s not a gay bar per se. But we love a rooftop bar. With specialty cocktails and a dazzling city backdrop, there’s no better way to live up our rich woman fantasy. With everyone dressed up in their finest, the surrounding high-rise buildings, elegant bar staff, and soft piano music, we kept boasting to each other how sophisticated we were. Sure, it was before we headed off to a club and started grinding to some Beyoncé bops, but that’s beside the point…

We touched on it earlier in the gay bar section, but we feel Pride of Cambodia could count as a club as well. Neon lights, loud music, hot locals, there’s so much to marvel at in POC Club. The transformation from a laidback bar to a hotbox nightclub is like night and day. They even have themed events like Singles Night, which is great for a country like Cambodia where it can be hard for gay people to meet others. 

With a name like Heart of Darkness, you’d be forgiven for thinking some devilish stuff goes on in there. “What if it’s a Satanic cult?” Seby pined before we went in…“Like we’re getting into Heaven anyway”, I laugh. What we found was actually quite chill. The drinks were cheap, we didn’t need to pay an entrance fee. The music is a mix of house and electropop. There was a disco ball, which made the place feel very 1970s New York. Everyone we talked to was super friendly. 

We touched on these guys earlier, but we had to give a special mention to the spa/sauna facility. After all, lots of its visitors aren’t hotel guests. So we think it counts as a gay sauna all by itself. Saunter through a labyrinth of steam rooms, sauna, lounges, and showers, where you’re sure to run into some cute guys. Stop for a chat, or who knows… people here like to get very very friendly with one another – if you catch our drift!

This gorgeous gay owned restaurant/bar is a great spot for both fussy and adventurous eaters. It serves local Khmer cuisine, Asian delicacies, and lots of Western favorites (including one very famous British dish)…“I guess you’ll have the fish-n-chips?” our waiter giggled when he heard my British accent…“As if!” I jabbed back. If we’re going to fly all the way over to Cambodia, we want the quintessential experience. Instead of living up to the stereotype, we enjoyed a spicy Thai curry that left our eyes streaming!

Seby was in his element in this place. French cuisine. French music. It was like a homecoming for him! He even took advantage of my lack of language skills and conned me into eating snails. Though to be fair, they were quite tasty. Le Langka is a very romantic spot, so it's perfect for a date night dining on fine French-fusion cuisine. The prices are also quite reasonable, so you don't have to break the bank to impress your dining partner!

One of the top choices for veggies in the city, Daughters of Cambodia may seem small from the outside, but its menu is packed full of incredible dishes. The staff had a super positive attitude and were happy to answer any questions we had about the food. They even recommended to us the bruschetta and chicken Caesar salad wraps, which were as big as our heads. Prices were low and our stomachs were full… we consider that quite a success!

It’s a sobering experience, but an important one nonetheless. The Kιlling Fields consist of several sites where an estimated 1.7 million people were eliminated and buried under the Communist Party’s regime. Choeung Ek is arguably the most well-known site, where almost 9,000 people are believed to be buried. Whilst here, you will see a commemorative Buddhist stupa, that is filled with 5,000 human skulls. It’s not for the faint of heart, but we recommend joining a guided tour to pay your respects to all those who lost their lives under the inhumane atrocities that took place. 

To get an even greater sense of Cambodia’s tragic past, Tuol Sleng’s museum is an imperative place to see. A schoolhouse turned prison, it is believed over 20,000 people were imprisoned by the Khmer Rouge (Communist Party), and only 12 people who went in are confirmed to have survived! Visitors to the museum will discover the brutal conditions inmates had to endure, as well as testimonies from the few people who were liberated. If you have time you can join a tour that visits both S21 and the Kιlling Fields with a guide to help you better understand all the terrible things that happened.

Home to the Cambodian royal family, the Palace is a must-see for anyone interested in royalty, and a refreshing break after learning about Cambodia's dark past. We wandered around the stunning gardens, listening to the sounds of the wind through the trees and the birds singing their songs. Total serenity! The royal family actually live here, so we were hoping for a glimpse of the king, but unfortunately were disappointed. There is, however, a building where you can see a replica of the outfit King Norodom Sihamoni wore during his coronation. Wonder if they’d let us borrow it for our next Pride outfit? 

The National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh is a great place to start when you arrive to get a sense of the country’s history and culture. It’s a beautiful terracotta-colored building surrounded by a lovely courtyard, filled with gurgling fountains and flourishing trees. Inside, you’ll find the world’s biggest collection of Khmer artwork and sculptures. Items on display date as far back as prehistoric times and all the way up to the aftermath of the Khmer Empire. For more about the country's history, join this tour that visits the museum, Royal Palace and Wat Phnom.

Standing 150ft (46m) high, Wat Phnom is possibly the most well-known structure in Phnom Penh. The story of its origin is as marvelous as the building itself. It’s believed an old lady, named Doun Penh, came upon a Koki tree in the river that contained four Buddha statues, plus one of Vishnu. She insisted the village build a temple to put them in, which became Wat Phnom. It’s a beautiful architectural achievement that has come to stand as a symbol of good fortune.

If you’re popping in to visit the Royal Palace, make sure you swing by the Silver Pagoda. One word kept springing to mind as we gawked at the stunning temple: opulence! The steps to the entrance are made from fine Italian marble. Once inside, you can sneak a glance at some of the 5,000 silver tiles that cover the ground floor. And the Baccarat-crystal Buddhist sculpture sitting upon a golden stand is just an example of the lavishness you can expect to find within. 

We realize that some of the activities we’ve suggested have been on the dark and gritty side of things. And when we feel a bit overwhelmed by heavy-duty stuff, we like to cure it with some retail therapy. The Russian Market is a spot in Phnom Penh that is exploding with colors, scents, sounds, and visual delights. Stalls are packed with sweets, art, clothes, candles, and more, making it the ideal spot to pick up some gifts or souvenirs. Join a tour that visits the Russian Market, National Museum and Wat Phnom in one day if you're short on time.