Phnom Penh Gay Guide

Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s capital, commercial, economic and political hub.  It is situated at the confluence of three great rivers, Mekong, Tonle Sap, Bassac rivers. Getting to Phnom Penh is relatively easy, as they have a nice International Airport that services most major international carriers.  Plan on at least 3 nights there to get around and explore.  There are several gay owned hotels and guest houses to choose from. There is a lot to see and do in Phnom Penh.  Many of the restaurants serve some great gourmet experiences, for a very good value. The Royal Palace and National Museum are next to each other and will take almost a day to see both. If you have not visited yet, a day trip to the Toul Sleng Genocide (S21) and Cheoung Ek (Killing Fields) is a very moving experience. Most places are walking distance from the river and hotel areas, a pleasant afternoon is a trip to Wat Phnom, to feed the monkeys and watch the local Khmer relax and socialize. The night life is fantastic with a wide variety of clubs, disco’s pubs, saunas, and spas.  Many are open late and some 24/7.  The gay scene is very open and many of the pubs and clubs have cabaret shows.  A night stroll along the Sisowath Quay, can possibly lead to a meeting of some of the local Khmer community. For a romantic evening try a Dinner River Cruise at sunset. There are several NGO’s that work with the MSM (men sex men), providing medical assistance, counseling, and social networking.WHERE TO STAYBougainvillier 2776 Sisowath Quay     Gay owned and managed, located on the river, walking distance to the Royal Palace, National Museum, Night Market, and the gay venues. Right on the Quay Sisowath walking street, all suites have a beautiful sight of the Mekong River.  An excellent French restaurant is located on premise along with a cute Art Shop.  023 220 528Dream Colors Guesthouse #69, Street 70    Gay owned and managed, with only 4 rooms, priced at $14-20, located on a quiet street. Free wi-fi and tv’s in everyroom. They are a friendly homestyle botique that offers you peace and quiet, yet only minutes from the night life.  They have their own tuk-tuk service.  Dream Colors Guesthouse is proud to offer you free airport service with 3 nights stay, just mention you have been redirected from Cambodiaout and you will receive this special service provided only by CambodiaOut.Manor House #21, Street 262    Gay owned and managed. Great central location with swimming pool. Situated in a quiet neighborhood, very near The Independence Monument. Only a short distance to the pubs, Royal Palace, National Museum, and river front. The staff are very friendly and Greg and his Khmer partner Kim can help you with anything you may need.  Manor House is proud to offer you a 10% discount for 2 or more nights, for all bookings made from CambodiaOut, just mention that you have been redirected from CambodiaOut and you will receive the special price provided only by CambodiaOut. 023 992 566Mysteres & Mekong #70. Street 244      Gay owned and managed, located near the Royal Palace and walking distance to the gay nightlife.  All 18 rooms have private terraces Nice swimming pool to relax before a night out.  Khmer style decorating, make for a wonderful experience. When you are in Siem Reap be sure to stay at their other guesthouse (Mysteres d’Angkor). 023 210 274WHERE TO PARTYBlue Chilli # 36, Street 178    Probably the most popular gay owned pub in Phnom Penh. Cute and friendly staff. Live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night. Popular with the expats and Khmer young men.  Friendly and polite freelancers. Be sure to have a nice chat with Oak the Thai owner and get the lowdown on where to go, and what is happening.  Thursday is Pride Night with drink specials.  012 566 353Classic Entertainment Monivong & Street 114   A great mixed entertainment center, same owners as Classic Pub.  A combination of bar, disco, cabaret and live entertainment.  Very large and nicely decorated in a very modern atmosphere. Many of Cambodia’s elite and celebrities go there.Classic Pub #42, Street 19   A very popular mixed pub, where many of the local Khmers go to party.  Nightly drag shows.  An alternative to the gay pubs.Fly Lounge #21, Street 48  Gay owned with a cool mixed crowd, but very fun.  A fun indoor swimming pool, during Gay Pride was full of local gays and expats. An alternative to the wild Heart Of Darkness.Heart of Darkness #26 Street 51    Gay owned, mixed crowd, favorite hangout for the gay crowd after hours. Packed on weekends, and very popular with the freelancers. This is the place everyone goes to after Blue Chilli.  A word of caution, hold onto your valuables.Pontoon #80, Street 172    Hoochie Mamma’s Gay Night Club gay owned and managed every Thursday at Pontoon. Live DJ’s and outrageous drag shows every week, with occasional male erotic dancers.  Great drink prices.The Local #39C, Street 454    Lesbian owned, Bar/restuarant/guesthouse a block from the Russian Market. Serving excellent Western and Khmer food. Funky tunes, live sports screens, cocktails,pool table, lounge areas and a rooftop bar with sweeping views over the Phnom Penh city. The Local has 2 hotel rooms and a 2 bedroom apartment for rent. Cable TV, mini fridge, aircon, hot water, room service. The Local is pleased to offer a 10% Discount on all Food, Drinks & Accomodations, please mention CambodiaOut when booking rooms, and show your member card when ordering.The Local 2 #8, Street 144 Riverside,  Lesbian owned,  Bar/restaurant/guesthouse a stones throw from the main tourist area Riverside. Live music, restaurant, pool tables, Thursday pub quiz, cocktails, lounge area. A relaxed friendly space serving Western and Khmer food and playing eclectic tunes.Tastefully decorated and well appointed brand new boutique style accommodation available and a penthouse studio with private rooftop terrace. Flatscreen tv’s with DVD players, cable, mini fridge, hot water, bathtubs, aircon. The Local 2 is pleased to offer a 10% Discount on all Food, Drinks & Accomodations, please mention CambodiaOut when booking rooms, and show your member card when ordering. 0688 916 77Rainbow Bar #73, Street 172   Gay owned and managed.  With great drink prices and weekend entertainment. A fun place, please ask for Peter, if you want to know WHERE TO GO IN PHNOM PENH.   Rainbow Bar is pleased to offer a Buy One Get One Free on all spirits, wines and cocktails to all CambodiaOut members, please mention CambodiaOut when ordering your drinks.The Empire Bar #34, Street 130    Gay owned and managed.  We serve Khmer food geared to Western tastes with quality wine and great cocktails, especially our signature Empire Cocktail made from 100% fresh sugarcane juice, vodka, Bacardi, Triple Sec, a lime and sugarcane stir!   The Empire would like to offer a 10% discount on the first visit for CambodiaOut members. Please mention CambodiaOut when ordering.WHERE TO EATK’nyay Suramarit Blvd  just off of Suramarit Road between St 19 and Sothearos Blvd.  Gay owned and managed. A great little place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of P.P.  There is a beautiful paved courtyard, lined with ginger (K’NYAY) plants, whilst the restaurant is a stylish eatery with a touch of funk.La Croisette 241 Sisowath Quay     Gay managed, very good European food. Dishes are really fine and nicely presented. Starters are delicious. The place is right in front of the river.  Very good European food. Dishes are really fine and nicely presented. Starters are delicious. It’s kinda pricey, but it’s worth a try. The place is right in front of the river.

Taza Cafe #8, Street 105    A cool new LGBT Cafe, with great food and excellent coffee.  The new meeting place for the community.  It is on the corner of Street 105 and Street 436.  Check it out, make new friends.

The Vegetarian Restaurant #11, Street 200    Gay owned and managed,  vegetarian restaurant using all fresh local produce.  Try it and save an animal.

Touk Restaurant Sisowath Quay & Street 178   Lesbian managed, with a gay bartender the new in place for the Khmer crowd.  Wednesday is Lesbian Night, and Friday they have a nice drag show. First floor riverside restaurant with a brilliant view of the river and riverfront area. Balcony seating as well as bar and indoor dining seating. Offering a very full menu of western and Cambodian dishes.012 248 694

SPAS & MASSAGE

Bodia Spa Sothearos Blvd & Street 178      Gay owned and managed, and although it is a spa for mixed group, the handsome masseurs will take excellent care of you. Wonderful settings and a great pleasant atmosphere. Upstairs above U-Care Pharmacy. They also have 2 great locations in Siem Reap.

Hatha Khmer #32, Street 368   Gay owned and managed, massage for men by men.  A nice home that has been converted into a great place to relax and enjoy a good massage. There is a cool garden coffee bar in the front of the house where you can go to meet other gays discreetly. Many handsome masseurs available, out services are available.  Hatha Khmer Massage is proud to offer you a great promotion, Buy One Cocktail, Receive One Free. This special offer is provided only by CambodiaOut, show your member card when registering. 855 80 994 449

O’Spa #4B, Street 75    Gay owned and managed, featuring a beautiful garden setting, very handsome masseurs. Very clean and professional.  Many massage and spa packages for you to choose from.       023 992 405

Om Spa #E31, Street 278   A great massage (mixed) located in a cozy neighborhood with very cute, friendly and accommodating staff.  Traditional Khmer style massages and treatments, you can pick your own masseur. Open early afternoons, for a great way to start your day.   Walking distance from The Manor House.   023 217 136

SAUNAS

Amam Cafe & Spa #20A, Street 390  Gay owned and managed, very popular sauna within the gay Khmer community. Jacuzzi. steam room, private rooms.  Cute and friendly staff, small cafe, video room, go there for a great afternoon. Nice reception area with a snack bar, to mingle with the locals.  Four floors to explore, cruise or workout.  Amam Spa is proud to offer you a great special to relax with during your fantastic sauna experience: Receive One Free soft drink or beer, this special offer is provided only by CambodiaOut, show your member card when registering. 012 950 916

Galaxy Sauna #18, Street 246    Gay owned and managed, sauna featuring dry and wet sauna.  Massage for men by men.  A great place to relax and enjoy a good massage. Cruise around; there are plenty of cute Khmer guys. Great massage.    016 686 789

Romantic Sauna #59, Street 350,   Gay managed, the largest gay sauna in Cambodia.  Massage, gym, Jacuzzi, steam room, video rooms, and private rooms, Very popular with the locals.  Ladyboy dance show every 15th & 30th of the Month.  Every Saturday there is a “special program”.  Three floor to cruise, relax, enjoy a massage, or eat in their nice restaurant.  Can sit on the upstairs balcony and enjoy a view of the area. Sister sauna in Siem Reap.   011 377 666

GALLERIES & BOUTIQUES

Chath pierSath Gallery A community social psychologist who started painting less than two years ago, art is a way to reflect the inner turmoil of Cambodians, he said. In his portraits, faces are devoid of expression, as if numb with the pain accumulated over decades of fear and poverty.  Out of thick layers of colors, they emerge in stillness, showing neither anger nor despair.

Chinese House Sisowath Quay & Street 84       Gallery and cinema, featuring exhibits and film showings.

Friendship Shop #150, Street 63           Gay owned and managed clothing boutique.

La Galerie X-Em Design #13, Street 178   Em Reim is becoming one of Cambodia’s most famous artists.  A great contemporary painter, artist and designer.  His works are a must see.

Meta House #6, Street 264   A gallery / cinema.  Featuring many artists, nicely remodeled home with 3 floors.  A small room for showing Khmer and International films, many with a GLBT theme.   012 607 465
The Best Street 238           Gay owned and managed clothing boutique.

The Flicks #39B, Street 95   Small cinema house that shows up to date western films.  097-8967827

The Doll House #46, Street 322  Gay owned and managed hair salon.  “Sistas, you can’t deny how much you like dress up, trying on new styles and considering new cuts. The Dollhouse was made with this in mind — combining the absolute sophistication of modern cuts and styles for both men and women with the colourful attitudes and quirkiness of Ryan and his certified cutting, colouring crew (an experience in itself). Pick your poison, dearies: whether you need an evening with “grand-slam Diva-Glam”, or a “casual date without the wait”, we’ll see you at The Dollhouse, Dolls.   The Doll House is pleased to offer the following to CambodiaOut readers, 10% on all hair and beauty services and offering a free peppermint scalp treatment for first time visit.

The French Element 313 Sisowath Quay, inside the Himawari Hotel, Great new Hair Salon.  Check out their specials, and treatment packages.  The French Element is proud to offer a 10% discount on all hair styling and beauty treatments.  Please show your BONUS member card when asking for services. 077 283 332

Two Fish Gallery #2D, Street 302     Gay owned and managed, art exhibits, art and cooking classes. Coffee and juices, lunch and dinner parties.

Victoria Shop #73, Street 63           Gay owned and managed clothing boutique.

TRAVEL SERVICES

Heritic Asia Travel #6D, Street 169    Gay owned and managed, providing gay and lesbian friendly guides throughout Cambodia.  Customized tours or packed tours are available.  023 881 861

Khmer Rainbow Tours Gay owned and managed, Your “One Stop” tour service.  Professionally designed and customized private excursions to The Kingdom of Cambodia.  Air and ground transportation, licensed guides and fully insured drivers, hotels, restaurants, clubs, pubs, spas and saunas.  A great selection of historical and cultural tours.  Contact: khmerrainbowtours@gmail.com

HEALTH SERVICES

Marie Stopes International #9, Street 476  MSI is dedicated to helping the LGBT Cambodia community, HIV testing, STD testing and treatment, and counseling.

Men’s Health Cambodia (MHC) #477,  St: Preah Sisovat       Men’s Health Cambodia (MHC) is a Cambodian non-profit and non-partisan NGO established and accredited by Ministry of Interior in 2002. Its goal is to contribute to the reduction of the incidence of HIV and AIDS among MSM and Entertainment Workers in Cambodia. It has a 3-member Board of Directors and one adviser and operates in four locations. KHANA supports work in 5 Operational Districts ( Kampong Cham, Angkor Chum, Kralanh, Siem Reap and Sotr Nikum) in Kg. Cham and Siem Reap province.

SOCIAL NETWORKING

Gay Khmer Blog A great gay Khmer community blog site.  Meet new friends, social networking, events, forums and blogs.  Submit your own articles, photos or experiences. Great photo gallery and a video section to download. This is a must for the Khmer and barang in Cambodia

M.Style Khmer Cambodia’s peer-led, discrete and non-judgmental social and support network for Cambodia’s young men who love men. If you are already reading this web page then someone has already told you about MStyle and you are already seeing the benefits for yourself! Please tell all your friends so they can benefit too. This is your opportunity to shape MStyle the way that you want it so let us know your ideas, join the nearest MStyle clubs, take part in events and share the fun! We look forward to seeing you at one of our events very soon!  Great networking organization, and counseling for HIV and STD’s.