The rise and fall of Cambodia’s Pub Street, the most notorious party strip in the country

[geovalin]

• Pub Street, in Cambodia’s north-western city of Siem Reap, is still almost empty of revellers despite the area having reopened in June following pandemic closures
• Unchecked development and a lack of long-term vision had led to overcrowding and degradation, although alleys of cosmopolitan cool have grown on the periphery

 

It’s midnight on a Friday in what should be the peak summer season on Cambodia’s most renowned nightlife strip, in the north-western city of Siem Reap. Garish red signs overhead proclaim “Pub Street” but elsewhere the road is in near-total darkness. The atmosphere is ghostly, with barely a soul visible save for a few shadowy figures making their way home. The lights of the occasional tuk-tuk pierce the gloom, the drivers emerging from the half-light to offer rides to uninterested passers-by.

 

Closed is a row of establishments that includes the recently burgled Angkor What? Bar – Pub Street’s first bar and Siem Reap’s most infamous backpacker haunt – and The Red Piano, a classier affair that was patronised by Angelina Jolie in 2001, during the filming of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

 

READ MORE https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3097384/rise-and-fall-cambodias-pub-street-most-notorious-party

[how241]

Just another sign of the times,  new normal !!!

[Burma Bill]

3 hours ago, how241 said:

Just another sign of the times,  new normal !!!

I live in Siem Reap and I hope it lasts - no massed Asian tour groups, ghetto blasting music and inebriated back packers! Lots of life and enjoyment in Khmer/Foreigner family run restaurants and bars in plenty of areas other than Walking Street.

[how241]

48 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

I live in Siem Reap and I hope it lasts - no massed Asian tour groups, ghetto blasting music and inebriated back packers! Lots of life and enjoyment in Khmer/Foreigner family run restaurants and bars in plenty of areas other than Walking Street.

That all sounds good,  very good !!!

[mr mr]

10 hours ago, geovalin said:

Pub Street, in Cambodia’s north-western city of Siem Reap, is still almost empty

tip top reporting there. 

[sanuk711]

12 minutes ago, how241 said:

That all sounds good,  very good !!!

Yer....its a pity that we only read about it......................until next year.......

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

22 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

I live in Siem Reap and I hope it lasts - no massed Asian tour groups, ghetto blasting music and inebriated back packers! Lots of life and enjoyment in Khmer/Foreigner family run restaurants and bars in plenty of areas other than Walking Street.

 

Is Temple (of Doom) Club still polluting the pub area?

 

Anyway, as you report, it seems like there are better options for a quiet evening at the bar. Now, if I can only get there in the next 3-6 months for a look-see. 

[Kerryd]

Not sure what is so "notorious" about it. I was there with some friends in January 2017 and it seemed pretty tame compared to say, Walking Street at the same time.

It was a little crowded with people and food vendors, but not so much that you couldn't stroll along at a leisurely pace. More snakes/spiders/scorpions on skewers than you normally seem from the bug vendors in Pattaya, but no "adult" venues and any freelancers there may have been were not obvious at all.

 

[thaibeachlovers]

On 8/17/2020 at 11:42 PM, Burma Bill said:

I live in Siem Reap and I hope it lasts - no massed Asian tour groups, ghetto blasting music and inebriated back packers! Lots of life and enjoyment in Khmer/Foreigner family run restaurants and bars in plenty of areas other than Walking Street.

I'm with you on that. People playing ghetto music audible to others at any volume should get life in jail with no parole for being anti social <deleted> IMO.