Pub Street, Siem Reap's lively heart of nightlife
Pub Street, Siem Reap's lively heart of nightlife
In the heart of Siem Reap's Old Market, Pub Street brings together bars, restaurants and terraces along 1 km of pedestrian street, the nightly meeting point for Angkor visitors.
Pub Street is the backbone of Siem Reap's nightlife. Located in the Old Market quarter, on a pedestrian section of Street 8, it concentrates some hundred establishments along roughly 1 km: bars, restaurants, shops, massage parlors and clubs. As evening falls, neon lighting, music and crowds of travelers visiting the Angkor temples give the street its distinctive atmosphere.
Why visit Pub Street
Pub Street is where travelers passing through Siem Reap converge. It's the simplest spot to dine after a day at the Angkor site, grab a drink, swap tips with fellow travelers, or keep the evening going late into the night. The street makes no pretense of cultural significance: it clearly plays the tourism card, and that's precisely what makes it a practical landmark for navigating the center. If you're staying in the Old Market, you'll likely return each evening, if only to walk through.
What to see and do
Historic bars
Two addresses are part of the street's history. "Angkor What" is the oldest bar on Pub Street, opened in the 1990s and still going strong. Just across the way, "The Temple" is the street's largest pub, with an upstairs terrace. Every evening from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, a free Apsara dance performance takes place—a great way to experience this Khmer tradition without attending a dedicated dinner show.
Drinking and dining
All bars serve Angkor beer, brewed locally with a label featuring Angkor Vat temple. Expect to pay a few dollars per glass depending on the establishment and time of day. On the dining front, the selection is deliberately international to cater to passing clientele: pizzas, sushi, burgers, along with Khmer specialties like amok (fish curry), lok lak (stir-fried beef), or stir-fried noodles. Terraces spill onto the pedestrian street once night falls.
Small services and curiosities
Along the street, several shops offer fish therapy: you soak your feet in an aquarium where tiny fish nibble away dead skin. The sensation is surprising and the experience remains affordable. Foot massages, manicures and craft stands (souvenirs, t-shirts, silk items) stay open late in the evening, making it easy to combine shopping and dining on the same street.
When to visit
Activity kicks off around 5 pm, the start of Happy Hour, typically running from 5 pm to 7 pm in most bars: discounted prices or "buy one drink, get one free" deals. Bars stay open until midnight on weekdays, some until 4 am depending on crowds. The street is lively year-round, but the atmosphere is particularly electric on New Year's Eve, with decorations and music turned up loud.
Pub Street operates every day, including during the rainy season (May to October) when late afternoon downpours rarely disrupt evenings.
How to get there
Pub Street sits right in central Siem Reap. From the Angkor Night Market, it's about a 10-minute walk. From most centrally located hotels, the journey takes less than 15 minutes on foot. Otherwise, a tuk-tuk is the easiest option: every driver knows the street. From Siem Reap International Airport, allow about 30 to 45 minutes by taxi or tuk-tuk depending on traffic.
Practical information
- Location: pedestrian section of Street 8, Old Market quarter, Siem Reap
- Access: free, pedestrian street in the evening
- Activity hours: from 5 pm onward, late into the night
- Budget: moderate, US dollars or Khmer riel accepted everywhere
- Visit duration: an evening, best combined with dinner
- Nearby: Angkor Night Market, Old Market (Psar Chas)
What to see around Siem Reap
Pub Street is an evening visit, leaving your days free to explore the region. The Angkor archaeological site, just a few kilometers north, is the obvious choice: the Bayon temple and its stone faces, or the Elephant Terrace at the heart of Angkor Thom, rank among the must-sees. To extend your journey through Cambodge, the coffee plantations of Mondulkiri to the east or the crab market of Kep on the south coast offer striking contrasts with Siem Reap's energy.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
In the early evening (5 pm–9 pm), yes: restaurant terraces welcome families, and the Apsara dance performance at The Temple is free and family-friendly. Later at night, the bar atmosphere takes over and the street becomes less suitable for young children.
The budget remains moderate by Western standards. An Angkor beer costs a few dollars, a Khmer meal in a street restaurant runs about ten dollars, more if you choose international cuisine. Take advantage of Happy Hour from 5 pm to 7 pm to keep costs down.
Not necessary for most establishments. During high season (December to February) and on New Year's Eve, it's wise to reserve at the best-known restaurants if you want a specific terrace spot.
Yes, activity happens every evening of the year. Crowds vary: very dense during the dry high season, quieter during the rainy season, but never empty.
Tuk-tuks are permanently stationed around Pub Street, even very late. Agree on the price before getting in. Rideshare apps also operate in Siem Reap.
Plan your trip
Pub Street fits naturally into a stay mixing Angkor temples, Khmer traditions and relaxing evenings. To build a complete itinerary including Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and the south coast, check out our tailor-made Cambodge journeys.
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