Bensley's Bar

Set in Wat Bo, Siem Reap, Bensley's Bar has become one of the neighbourhood's dependable drinks stops. It is the kind of place you end up returning to rather than seeking out once, and it tends to stay busy without feeling rushed.

On the menu

Drinks lead the way, with a short food menu to keep you going. Prices are reasonable for the area. It gets going in the evening and holds a crowd late, with the food menu there to keep you going rather than to be the main event.

The verdict so far

With over 230 reviews and a 5.0 score, the feedback is steady and mostly about the food and the welcome. The reviews that stand out tend to mention the same two or three dishes and the service, which is a better signal than the number alone.

Around here

Wat Bo has its own character within Siem Reap, and Bensley's Bar is part of what keeps people coming back to the area. Siem Reap runs on the temples by day, so most kitchens fill up in the evening once people are back from Angkor.

Getting there

Getting here is straightforward by tuk-tuk or a ride-hailing app; give the driver the name and the area rather than a street number, which is how most people navigate in Cambodia. Fares for a ride like this are low by most standards, and agreeing the price or using the app rate up front avoids the usual haggle at tourist-heavy spots.

Before you go

It is open every day. Lunchtime and early evening are the safe windows; later in the night some places wind the kitchen down before the listed closing time. It is an easy stop if you are already around Wat Bo.