Having a Singapore Sling in Siem Reap and other Khett Siem Reab, Cambodia Nightlife Tips

The Sling tastes better in Siem

Reap

Nightlife Spot: Elephant Bar / Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor

Ok, so this is a chi-chi hotel but hell, I'm a Singaporean and I can't help but feel proud and even a tad bit patroitic when I strolled into the lush grounds of Grand Hotel d'Angkor. Yes, and to chalk even more points for being a patriotic Singaporean, I ordered the ubiquitous pink drink that the Raffles chain of hotel is famous for. What else but the Singapore Sling? Surprisingly, it tasted even better here than the lousy shot I had in the Long Bar (Raffles Hotel, Singapore). And what's more they threw in an intimate soir�e of apsara dancers as well. What more could I ask for at USD2 ( tax included ) ? It was the best Sling I ever had.

The handsome local bar manager confirmed my tastebuds. He mentioned, with a twinkle in his eye, that the Slings are freshly made here unlike the ones in Long Bar. There were way too many customers at the famous bar in Singapore, making it impossible to churn out one fresh drink after another.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: Chi-chi dressing. You know, anything that would look casually expensive.
Address: 1 Vithei Charles de Gaulle,Khum Svay Dang Kum
Directions: Every moto driver knows this place. Just say "Grand Hotel".
Website: http://www.raffles.com/raffles/mini_site/mini_site_general_information.asp?mini_site_id=6&content_group_type_id=5

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Angkor Beer, national beer of Cambodia: "Satisfy beer drinkers, anytime, anywhere!"

Tip Rating:

Updated by bpacker

on Jun 20, 2005

Before the headache, obviously

Nightlife Spot: Angkor Beer, national beer of Cambodia

Now, in contrast with the Siem Reap Singapore Sling experience, I had a bad experience with the national beer of Cambodia - ANGKOR BEER.

I had great expectations since the beer looked promising with a picture of the three corn-cob towers of the famous Wat and some amusing words on the poster ads - "This premium quality lager is to satisfy discerning beer drinkers the world over - anytime, anywhere!"

After I decided I was fairly discerning as a beer drinker and that I was appropriately displaced in Cambodia, I decided to take a sip. The first taste wasn't too bad, it had a fairly crisp, clean largery taste. Mildly bitter-sweet too. But just like a blind date gone wrong, the taste begun to degrade as it warmed up, taking on the taste of the cheap alcoholic swill that you can find in China. To top it off, I got a ****ing headache two hours after I had the drink and it didn't come cheap too. A large bottle of Angkor Beer cost around US$1.70 - $2, triple the price of bia hanoi. Arrgh, should have followed the Japanese tourists and order a round of Tiger.

Sad to say, I didn't have any drinking buddies to compare notes with me. I tested my friends' reactions by saying the beer wasn't too bad. Being complete teetotallers, they agreed heartily after an experimental sip. Sigh. I bought back one bottle of swill to test it out on hubby.

Afternote: Hubby confirmed my taste review. The thin taste of the beer and the grainy aroma did not go too well with his palate.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Buddha Lounge: Atmospheric Little Drinking Joint with Great Food

Tip Rating:

Updated by bpacker

on May 17, 2005

Buddha Lounge , Siem Reap

Nightlife Spot: Buddha Lounge

Now if you need a dark, little joint to chill out after checking out all the temples in the hot, hot day, BUDDHA LOUNGE is just the place. Service is impeccable, the waiters are polite and the ambience soothing. Everyone over here nurses the de rigeur bottle of beer while listening to the strains of Armstrong's jazz. I prefer this place to the Red Piano since it's darker and quieter..

Tip: Ask for the Tokolok drink - it's a delicious blended fruit and condensed milk drink, served icy cold.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eating and Drinking
Address: Bar Street - Siem Reap
Directions: Just Opp the Red Piano

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Dead Fish Tower: Cold Beer and Crocodiles

Tip Rating:

Updated by bpacker

on Mar 28, 2006

Look what I found downstairs..

Nightlife Spot: Dead Fish Tower

Now, way before I went to Siem Reap, Cambodia, I heard of a watering hole in town where it's possible to grab a cold beer and dally with crocodiles. Sounded like an adventure worthy of an alcoholic Lara Croft.So off I went to Dead Fish Tower, with Clubber Diva, hoping to chill out with crocs.Our expectations were fulfilled. Not only did the eclectic decor with open air platforms on multiple levels appealed to us, the crocs scared the bejesus out of us!

Just take a look at the number of crocs I photographed in the basement pit. More than enough to fill the giant moat at Angkor Wat for sure.

Somehow, the thought of flirting with those crocodiles waned with their smell and we left those crocs in their basement pit . We sat directly one floor above them and I enjoyed my cold beer as I watched a traditional apsara ( Cambodian ballet) dance.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Other
Dress Code: Better to wear pants in this place. All seats on the second floor were cushions at low tables.
Website: http://www.talesofasia.com/cambodia-deadfish.htm

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Red Piano: Lara Croft's Siem Reap Hangout

Tip Rating:

Updated by bpacker

on May 17, 2005

Sitting at the Balcony, Red Piano

Bar

Nightlife Spot: Red Piano

Now when the 3 divas heard that Angelina Jolie used to hang out at the Red Piano, they set off for the same place for dinner one night.
All 3 wanted to see what attracted the high goddess of adventure!
So, off they went and they chose the best seats on the house by the balcony . It overlooked the busy streets of Psar Chaa and gave the 3 divas a nice overview of the restaurants there.
Sad to say, this place didn't appeal to the divas. Though this was the biggest, most decent looking joint in the street, it was too bright, too westernised and septic to the likes of the divas. Plus, there were no crocodiles or memorable dishes that appealed to any of them. The divas left after their cocktails and swore to go to Buddha Lounge which looked dark and mysterious from where they were sitting.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Suitable for backpackers and families so anything casual will do. Go for the seats by the balcony , it's the best in the house.
Address: No 341, 50 m Northwest of the Old Market (PsarCha)
Website: http://www.redpianocambodia.com/

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Angkor What?: The Other Angkor Sunrise

Tip Rating:

Written by bpacker

on May 18, 2005

Angkor Sunrise@Angkor What?

Nightlife Spot: Angkor What?

Now, if you're way too lazy to get up at 4am to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat, you can drink one at the Angkor What? Yes, you heard me correctly. You can get high on a tasty, fruity cocktail at the bar instead of waking up at a Godforsaken hour to jostle with other bleary tourists. The drink cost about USD2 a pop and every 5cents that you spend out of a dollar in this place goes to the local hospital. Ah, I'd rather get high on this drink anytime.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Nightclub
Address: Angkor What? is not too far from the Red Piano
Website: http://www.talesofasia.com/cambodia-angkorwhat.htm

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Available in any drinking joint in Siem Reap: The Best Beer in Asia?

Tip Rating:

Written by bpacker

on May 18, 2005

Drinking BeerLao in Budhha Lounge