Rooftop bars and sunset spots in Phnom Penh: a 2026 guide

Phnom Penh does rooftops well. The city is low-rise enough that a tenth-floor terrace gives you a real view, most of the good ones face the river, and prices are gentle compared with Bangkok or Singapore. Here's how to do it.

How to choose

• View: the best rooftops look over the Mekong / Tonle Sap confluence or across the low city toward the Royal Palace. Riverfront and Daun Penh hotels have the edge.
• Vibe: some are polished hotel bars with a dress code and cocktails; others are casual with beer and bar snacks. Both exist within a few blocks.
• Timing: arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset to get a rail-side table. Sunset is roughly 5:45–6:15pm year-round.

What it costs

Cocktails at a hotel rooftop run US$6–10; a local draught in happy hour can be under US$2. Many rooftops run a genuine happy hour that overlaps with sunset, which is the best-value window of the day. There's rarely a cover charge.

Where to look

The rooftop & views list collects the city's terraces with photos, ratings and maps. For a first-night drink, anything on or just off Riverside puts you near dinner afterwards. For a quieter, more design-led scene, look at rooftops in BKK1 and Tonle Bassac.

Practical notes

• Rain is possible May–October, usually a short heavy burst in the late afternoon; rooftops have covered sections but a downpour can end the view. Check the sky before you commit.
• Smart-casual is fine almost everywhere; a few hotel bars ask for no shorts or sandals in the evening.
• Mosquitoes appear at dusk. Bar staff usually have repellent, but bring your own if you react badly.
• Book ahead on weekends and public holidays for the well-known spots.

Beyond drinks

Several rooftops are also good for dinner, so you can stay put after sunset. Others are best as a first stop before moving down to a restaurant. The cocktail bars list covers ground-level options if the weather rules the roof out.