Phnom Penh

[Paolo99]

It's been 6 years since I was last in Cambodia and I'm thinking about heading back next month. Last time I had a tuk-tuk driver who showed me around but I'm keen to hire a motorbike / scooter this time and do a bit of exploring. I wouldn't mind checking out a few of the places on the outskirts, including K11. Not for any nefarious reason but just out of interest to see such an infamous place. I know the traffic in PP can be a bit crazy but I'm sure it's doable. Any opinions? Obviously I want to get girls from the usual bars but would also like to see a bit more of the 'down & dirty'.

I also wanted to rent a bike when I was in PP a few days ago but it seems that they all want to keep our original passport before renting the bike. Just leaving a copy of the passport was not allowed. Please let us know if you find a place that does not need your original passport.

[Titanio]

I dunno who owns what now or in the past but as a visitor to PP I've always got reliable and unbiased info here from Aussie Guy and others (e.g. Wendella). They have certainly helped me to discover new bars and negotiate the changing scene in Phnom Penh. As I have said here before bars with on-site western owners which seem to cover a few in Street 130 tend to be better run and more lively than a lot of the those run by a local manager.

Cheers to all.

Bubba.

The latter for sure. And that also counts for Street 104 bars. Streets 110 and 118 also have some talent and western bar owners.

[Bubba999]

I dunno who owns what now or in the past but as a visitor to PP I've always got reliable and unbiased info here from Aussie Guy and others (e.g. Wendella). They have certainly helped me to discover new bars and negotiate the changing scene in Phnom Penh. As I have said here before bars with on-site western owners which seem to cover a few in Street 130 tend to be better run and more lively than a lot of the those run by a local manager.

Cheers to all.

Bubba.

[Traveler1234]

I know the other half owner (now full owner) of the Loco Bar and never got a freebie from him. But I did pull a nice girl out for a few hours in my room and would certainly return. No rip-offs, nice ambiance and best of all, a nice stable of girls. YMMV.

[AskeAske]

Try Loco Bar on street 130, next to 136 Bar.

It's a fairly new bar with about 20 girls and some real cuties amongst them. All the girls are very friendly and don't hassle you for ladydrinks. The music isn't deafeningly loud and as a bonus, the place has the best toilets of any bar I've been in. There are a few virgin girls but plenty who will go out.

Also Golden Vine on street 108 is worth a visit. Usually a fun atmosphere there, and plenty of girls, almost all of whom go out. Some real lookers too.

Oasis on street 136 can be enjoyable. Lots of girls and often a real buzzy atmosphere.

Airforce on street 104 is a must visit, just to experience 40-50 girls in one bar. But check your bill carefully if you buy a lot of drinks, there seem to be frequent 'mistakes' in adding your bill up.

I agree, BronzeMan. It is a little fishy. But only a little. This report wrote AG100 when he was still owner of Loco Bar. It is fishy. There was several other reports very positive review of Loco Bar. I was suspicious. Did the owner give drinks to customers, who wrote positive about Loco Bar on ISG? I don't know, but I know that when I am in Phnom Penh I very offen stay in Sarys Guesthouse very close to Loco Bar and that Loco Bar is very nice. I always enjoy to come there. I also enjoy Angry Bird. I have not tried Honey Pot yet.

If you read other reports from AG100 you can se that he is very helpful.

[BronzeMan]

I don't know who owns what, nor do I care to know, but I've seen the same people managing at Loco Bar, Angry Birds Bar, and now Honey Pot Bar. All on Street 130 and all recommended by you more than once here. The two other bars on the same part of the street are criticized. Is this just a coincidence? Smells fishy to me.

[FreeWillyBruh]

Busted. Sort of. I used to own a half share in Loco bar in street 130 two years ago but sold out after a year. I got exhausted with the long hours. The reality of running a bar does not match the dream.

If you look back through my posts you'll see that I've tried to be honest in my opinions and 'recommendations'. I've usually offered opinions on multiple bars or other attractions with the general aim of trying to help newcomers to Phnom Penh have a good time and not get ripped off.

Thanks Aussie Guy and Bronze as us newcomers to PP appreciate these updates as to areas to focus on for a relaxing drink amongst the eye candy, biased or not. Now wondering if I should change my hotel closer to 130 and also avoid 136 bars altogether. Still seeking input for PP daytime action, whether MP'S or Bars. Thanks, NY.

[AussieGuy100]

AussieGuy don't you own bars in Phnom Penh? You should disclose that before you make "recommendations."

Busted. Sort of. I used to own a half share in Loco bar in street 130 two years ago but sold out after a year. I got exhausted with the long hours. The reality of running a bar does not match the dream.

If you look back through my posts you'll see that I've tried to be honest in my opinions and 'recommendations'. I've usually offered opinions on multiple bars or other attractions with the general aim of trying to help newcomers to Phnom Penh have a good time and not get ripped off.

[BronzeMan]

I'd agree with this too. Many bars have "mosquito" girls that hang around you and pester for drinks even when you've bought your favoured girl a drink. Very annoying. Another bar nearby to definitely avoid is Pasha Bar in street 118. The girls are either mosquito girls or totally disinterested even when offered a ladydrink. Strange. Plus it has a heavy-handed and occasionally aggressive German manager.

The nice thing about Angry Birds and Honeypot in 130 is that the girls are very friendly but aren't allowed to actually ask for ladydrinks or be mosquitos so it makes for a much pleasanter experience, especially as there are some real hotties in both bars.

Street 130 is turning into a good area for nice bars, a change from the "in your face" type of bars that also tend to pad your bills in nearby street 136.

Other current recommendations include the noisy but fun Double D bar in 110 (but check your bills carefully) and the smart "@ the Office bar" in 118.

AussieGuy don't you own bars in Phnom Penh? You should disclose that before you make "recommendations."

[AussieGuy100]

I hope my last visit prompted a distasteful review of Caramel Bar on Street 130. Let me reiterate: their aggressive lady-drink policies; the lady-swarm that leaves you unable to connect with your chosen partner; and the actual lack of talented women (they're so accustomed to sitting around sucking down lady drinks that they have no idea what to do in bed.) On the other hand, the well-reviewed Honey Pot Bar is just a few doors down, and Angry Birds are the other way on 130 with lots of lookers as well. Avoid Caramel Bar in light of much better choices.

I'd agree with this too. Many bars have "mosquito" girls that hang around you and pester for drinks even when you've bought your favoured girl a drink. Very annoying. Another bar nearby to definitely avoid is Pasha Bar in street 118. The girls are either mosquito girls or totally disinterested even when offered a ladydrink. Strange. Plus it has a heavy-handed and occasionally aggressive German manager.

The nice thing about Angry Birds and Honeypot in 130 is that the girls are very friendly but aren't allowed to actually ask for ladydrinks or be mosquitos so it makes for a much pleasanter experience, especially as there are some real hotties in both bars.

Street 130 is turning into a good area for nice bars, a change from the "in your face" type of bars that also tend to pad your bills in nearby street 136.

Other current recommendations include the noisy but fun Double D bar in 110 (but check your bills carefully) and the smart "@ the Office bar" in 118.

[PPMassage]

I guess you can describe them that way if you're not happy with the way I described the area. But "the white building" doesn't appear on any map by that name while Sothearos Street certainly does. Anyway, yes that entire row of massage parlors on the left when traveling south offers HJ. Most of the 10,000 Riel places on the right side further south do too but they are absolutely disgusting inside. As do the massage places north of what Phnom on France street and probably 50 other places in PP.

Riverside is more hit or miss and has been for the last few years. Tourist influxes, NGOs with spy cameras and wanting to clean up the image of the most popular part of the city is the cause.

What is "Souk's Place"? Do you mean Sokun's Place? It was on the riverside for years. HJ was normal but usually not skilled and with a high asking price. Then it moved next to Kiwi Mart on Street 110. It's not there anymore. Did it move again or close?

Yes, Souk's Place is what I meant, thank you. It was located on the river when I was last there, so glad you mentioned it moved before I head back.

Thank you for your help.

[NspectHerGadgt]

I hope my last visit prompted a distasteful review of Caramel Bar on Street 130. Let me reiterate: their aggressive lady-drink policies; the lady-swarm that leaves you unable to connect with your chosen partner; and the actual lack of talented women (they're so accustomed to sitting around sucking down lady drinks that they have no idea what to do in bed.) On the other hand, the well-reviewed Honey Pot Bar is just a few doors down, and Angry Birds are the other way on 130 with lots of lookers as well. Avoid Caramel Bar in light of much better choices.

[Aussie Fella]

It's been 6 years since I was last in Cambodia and I'm thinking about heading back next month. Last time I had a tuk-tuk driver who showed me around but I'm keen to hire a motorbike / scooter this time and do a bit of exploring. I wouldn't mind checking out a few of the places on the outskirts, including K11. Not for any nefarious reason but just out of interest to see such an infamous place. I know the traffic in PP can be a bit crazy but I'm sure it's doable. Any opinions? Obviously I want to get girls from the usual bars but would also like to see a bit more of the 'down & dirty'.

[Rocco Sha]

Hi friends,

I will be traveling to Phnom Penh next week and staying at Cardmom hotel. As this in my first trip to Phnom Penh, please suggest if this this hotel is girl friendly and the best pick up places and massage parlours near this hotel.

Thanks

Hi Tercar,

You shouldn't have a problem to bring back a girl to the hotel, just ask at reception before check in.

This hotel is located near the best discos; just walk down Poonton to pick up some attractive freelancer. The best time is to go after 11 pm. For daytime fun, pay a visit to the Walk About hotel two block away from your hotel, they have got a good selection of girls.

Not so far from you, there is a massage parlor called Massa located near the independent monument, street 252. The massage is 10 $, for extras start from 30 $ to 50 $.

Have a great holiday.

Rocco

[Titanio]

Thank you for your reply. Are you talking about the places near the 'white building'? They just seemed to obvious for me. I like places such as souk's place. Looks legit, but offers HJ with some cute girls. Any other such places?

I only found souk's place by riverside offering HJ. I couldn't believe how hard it was to find HJ riverside.

Barbershop with massage room straight opposite La Cyrcee 100%. Massage shops on the circle of what Phnom, N. O. Site, Up market massage place corner of Street 252 and the one west of street 51, cannot remember street number. That ate just a few doable places. Shops on Riversite north of what Phnom, no go with exception of site street where the Vietnamese cafe is on the corner. There is a Viets barberskop with OK massage room in the back.