Rooftop bars in Phnom Penh: where to watch the sunset

Phnom Penh is loud and busy at street level. Go up a few floors and it calms down. The river catches the light, the sky goes orange, and the motorbikes turn into a stream of headlights.

That is the rooftop bar deal. You pay a bit more for a drink, and you get the best seat in the city. Here is how to pick one. Every place below is in our Rooftop bars in Phnom Penh guide.

Rooftop bars in Phnom PenhThe guide · 8 places

Get the timing right

Sunset is the whole point, so arrive early. Most rooftops here open at 5pm, so aim to be there around 5:30 to grab a seat before the golden hour. Order a drink, then watch the show.

Many bars run early-evening deals, but times and offers change. We have not confirmed any, so check the venue's page or ask when you arrive.

In rainy season, evening showers are common. Look at whether a bar has cover, and keep a plan B.

Riverside classics

The riverside strip is the obvious start. It is flat, easy to reach by tuk-tuk, and full of people having a good time.

Le Moon Rooftop is on Street 154 near the river, open 5pm to midnight. One guide says it opened in 2010, which makes it one of the city's original rooftops. A beer or cocktail should run around $10 to $20.

Rukkha Sky Bar & Tapas is on Sisowath Quay. It serves tapas, so you can eat there instead of moving on. It closes at midnight, or 1am on Friday and Saturday. A cocktail and a few tapas is around $15 to $25.

Up high

If you want the big view, go higher.

Celeste Revolving Skybar sits on top of The Penthouse Residence, and it rotates. The skyline slowly turns around you while you sip. Save it for a special night or for guests you want to impress. Expect around $15 to $30 for a cocktail and the view.

Eclipse Sky Bar is on the 23rd floor of Phnom Penh Tower, on Preah Monivong Boulevard. It is open 5pm to 2am, which is late for a rooftop. Come for sunset, then stay. Around $12 to $25 a drink.

Across the river

Scenery SkyBar & Restaurant is on the Chroy Changvar side of the Tonle Sap, so you look back at the skyline instead of standing in it. It serves food, so dinner works. Go before sunset. A drink and a light meal is around $12 to $25.

Panorama Sky Bar is at The Peninsula hotel, on the 24th floor, with a view over the river to the city. The listed hours look like the hotel's, not the bar's, so check when the bar opens. Expect around $15 to $30 for a cocktail.

Hotel and group-friendly

Altitude Sky Bar is at Shangri-La. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm to 10pm (11pm on Friday and Saturday), and closed on Monday. That is earlier than most, so make it your first stop of the evening. Expect hotel prices, around $20 to $35.

Khmer Funk Sky Bar is on the top floor of the TRIBE hotel near Post Office Square. It serves Mekong-region food, local craft beer and cocktails, with live music or DJs on some nights. It is open 5pm to midnight and good for groups, since you can eat and drink in one place. Around $12 to $22.

Tips for a good night

Check hours first. They change, and some bars close earlier than you expect.
Dress a little smart. Hotel bars tend to like it, and it is a good rule of thumb for the rest. If you are unsure, check the venue's page or ask.
Book if it matters. For a big group or a window seat, a message ahead can help.
Bring a layer. Wind and air-conditioning can surprise you up there.
Plan the ride home. Tuk-tuks are easy to find, but late at night you may wait.

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