PHNOM PENH -- area code (855-23)

Phnom Penh's gay and lesbian scene is easy to navigate using our Utopia Map:

• Blue Chilli Bar
  Street 178 (on the block behind the National Museum), Utopia Map, email. Gay and lesbian bar run by a Khmer/Thai couple. Popular, especially when they have their drag show on Fri and/or Sat night. Attracts a wide variety of locals and visitors because it's one of the best places to meet gay-identified local men who are looking for friends, not profit. Charming and flirty staff make you feel right at home. Easy listening music at a comfortable volume early in the evening. Dance with their DJ as the night runs on and into the early hours. Some lesbians, especially weekends. Drop by and tell them you are from Utopia. Utopia Member Discount

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Went to the Blue Chilli Bar both Fri and Sat nights. On both nights there was a naff cabaret for about 30-45 minutes, consisting of around four drag queens lip-syncing to 70s and 80s gay standards. Be aware that many of the local customers are MBs, even if they don't mention this at the outset. This came as some surprise to me on Sat morning! But I didn't make the same mistake on Sat night. If you are western you will recieve a warm welcome, I was literally dragged into the bar by staff and customers on both nights. Drink prices are on par with London." -- david1972a, Aug 23, 2010

  "Nice, clean place. Good music. Staff are friendly. So friendly that they even let you pay for the drinks of any of the working guys there that you have talked to. So nice of them. Many MBs. But, a good night can be had there. Drag show!" -- beyourhero, Aug 6, 2010

  "Still big crowd, still lots of guys." -- KenW, Jun 15, 2010

  "I live in BKK, but go to PP often - the main gay scene is at Blue Chilli Pub, behind the museum." -- jonathai, Oct 3, 2009

• Classic Entertainment
  Utopia Map. Bigger and gayer than ever, this second branch of Phnom Penh's popular cabaret show pub, Classic (see under Cabarets), is equal parts bar, disco, cabaret and live entertainment venue. The space is cavernous, with modern design, laser effects and dance floor surrounded by tables and couch seating. An army of overdressed staff are on hand to serve guests including celebrities, the rich and the powerful. The large stage showcases an equal mix of handsome male dancer/performers and transgender showgirls. A bonus show takes place every time the men's room door, just to the side of the stage, swings open. The main show starts after 10:30pm and includes Khmer traditional songs acted out in period costume; drag anthems; ugly drag comedy numbers; Angkor/Vegas spectacle pageants; sexy underwear shows by the guys; and smells-like-teen-spirit lipsync pop numbers by shirtless "Freshies" and their ladyboy backup dancers. Choreography is mostly aerobic exercise routines done in an earnest, if slightly mechanical, manner. The mix of MTV bling dazzle, anime helmet haircuts, and off-key Khmer pop hits is charming and high camp. Shout-outs from the audience cheer the stars on and flowers made from folded paper napkins, presumably containing tips (or phone numbers) are passed forward by the staff. The stars mingle with the VIPs afterwards and if you ask the staff to invite your favorite to sit and chat with you, expect to buck-up for the privilege by buying your superstar a round or two.
• Fly Lounge (mixed)
  #21AEo Street 148, Utopia Map. Gay-owned mixed bar with swimming pool inside! Attracts Khmer scenesters and hip visitors. Women-only night the last Sat of evach month - fabulous drink specials by world class bartenders, female DJs spinning hip-hop, R&B and dance music, sexy pool party and beautiful women.
• Mzone
  #200, St 19 (behind the Royal Palace), 097-9090-357, email. Gay bar started in 2010. They welcome gays, MsM and lesbians. Cool drinks at cheap prices. Ladyboy cabaret shows Thu and Sat after 10pm.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "I went to Mzone at about 7:30pm Thu evening to find it closed. Whether it was some strange one-off event that caused this or the place has shut down completely I do not know." -- KenW, Jun 15, 2010

  "There's a new gay bar called Mzone in the street behind the Palace, past the old "Classics". Nice atmosphere. New crowd. Has a drag show every Thu night." -- T-Bo, Feb 7, 2010

• Touk (mixed)
  1/F corner of 178 St and Sisowath Quay (opposite FCC), Utopia Map, 012-248-694. Lesbian-managed bar with gay night on Fri. Female staff and gay bartender. Full bar and good eats.

• Classic
  Behind the Royal Palace, Utopia Map. Original branch of Phnom Penh's popular transgender cabaret club.

• Daddy Bong's Upstairs @ The Blue Cat
  #34-36 St 110, Utopia Map, 09-921-2533, email. Gay and lesbian-friendly Sun night party with local and international gay DJs and wild live drag shows and entertainment. Utopia Member Discount
• The Gloryhole
  The Pontoon Boat, Diamond Island (take the bridge next to Naga World), Utopia Map, 099-212-533, 017-682-071, email. The Glory Hole gay dance club on Thu nights from 9pm until late. Expect a night of handsome men, rowdy lesbians, hysterical drag queens, live entertainment, great dance music and cheap drink deals.
• The Heart of Darkness (mixed)
  26 Street 51 Pasteur, Utopia Map. Gay-owned and fun place that is popular with both local and expat gays. Beware of hustlers (in the minority). Packed on weekends and always busy.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "The Heart of Darkness is mixed at best now, mainly straight." -- andsuch, Apr 10, 2010