Cambodia Nightlife Siem Reap: Top 6 Things to Do in Siem Reap after Dark

Siem Reap is better known as the gateway to Angkor Wat than for its nightlife, but there are plenty of opportunities for late-night entertainment. After a day out exploring the ancient temple complex, you might not want to call it a day. In Siem Reap, after dark, you can find music, dancing, markets, massage, and lively pubs to keep you going well into the night.

Is It Safe to Enjoy Nightlife Activities in Siem Reap, Cambodia? 

Nightlife in Cambodia can be exciting but doesn't get as wild as in places like Pattaya or parts of Bangkok. With average precautions, you can feel relaxed and enjoy the entertainment the city has to offer. Violent crime against tourists is virtually unheard of, and it is only against pickpockets and bag snatchers that you need to be vigilant. Avoid poorly lit and isolated areas late at night, and be moderate with alcohol consumption.

The biggest risk is traffic safety. Traffic rules are not always followed diligently. Exercise caution when crossing the road, and be aware that traffic may approach from any direction. When taking taxis or tuk-tuks, choose vehicles that are in good condition. It's best to negotiate the price in advance with the driver or use a ride-hailing app like Grab.

4 Days to Explore Cambodia’s Cultural Heart: Siem Reap

Siem Reap

Top 1 Nightlife Experience: Enjoy your Night at the Pub Street, Siem Reap 

Pub Street in Siem Reap is the center of the action when it comes to nightlife. Officially called "Street 8", it's a 100-meter stretch of road filled with clubs, bars, restaurants, and vendors. Every night, it's closed off to traffic, making it a perfect place to stroll through while finding somewhere to relax or let loose.

There are unique dining experiences like "Fire Mountain Barbecue," a style of Cambodian barbecue where the food is cooked in a volcano-shaped apparatus. Brave eaters can try unusual specialties like fried scorpion. For everyone else, there are ice cream makers who service fried ice cream rolls.

Famous bars like Angkor What? and the Red Piano Restaurant are open until the early hours of the morning. There's also karaoke and places to dance, like the Temple Night Club. If you just want to relax, you can try a fish massage or walk the street watching the street performers.

Enjoy your night at the pub street

Top 2 Nightlife Experience: Walk around the Night Markets of Siem Reap 

Visiting night market is one of the best things to do in Siem Reap. Siem Reap has several to choose from that can be a great late-night outing. Angkor Night Market, known as the Original Night Market, is one of the most well-known. It was the first night market in Cambodia. Vendors sell everything from clothing and household items to exotic spices and local handicrafts. It's open from 4 pm until midnight every day.

The Siem Reap Art Center Night Market focuses on traditional crafts and souvenirs. It's open from 4 pm to 11 pm, Monday through Saturday. You can find silk goods, crocodile leather, artwork, clothing, local toys, bags, and purses. The sellers usually speak English, and the market also has restaurants and massage shops.

In the heart of Siem Reap, the Phalla Angkor Night Market is an outdoor market with enough to keep you entertained all night. Open daily from 4:30 pm to midnight, it offers lots of great souvenirs. There are also local and Western restaurants for any budget and plenty of bars and massage shops.

Walk around the night markets of Siem Reap 

Top 3 Nightlife Experience: Watch the Live Dance Shows

Dance and music are important parts of traditional Cambodian culture. Evening performances of the Apsara Dance in Siem Reap are an excellent way to experience this captivating art form, which dates back to the 18th century. The dance tells stories about daily life and historical events in Cambodia. Performances showcase graceful movement and intricate hand gestures accompanied by traditional Khmer music and elaborate costumes.

Dance performances are usually combined with a set menu dinner or buffet. The Apsara Theatre, Temple Balcony, and Smile of Angkor have daily performances you can attend. Regular shows are also held at the Park Hyatt and Raffles Grand Hotel. Ticket packages often include roundtrip transfers with hotel pickup. 

Watch the live dance shows

Top 4 Nightlife Experience: Enjoy a Relaxing Evening of Massage or Spa Treatments 

Khmer massage is a traditional massage practiced for centuries to promote relaxation and healing. It's offered at spas and massage parlous all over Siem Reap, and it's a perfect way to unwind after a day outdoors exploring Angkor Wat. There is a range of massage treatments to choose from, including deep tissue massage, acupressure, and massages with oils and herbal balms.

Try a complete Cambodian spa treatment for a deeply luxurious and rejuvenating experience. In 60 or 90 minutes, you can have a wide range of traditional wellness treatments at places like Devatara Spa, Real Spa Cambodia, or Sokkhak Spa in the Riverside area. The spas focus on high-quality therapies using locally sourced ingredients and essential oils that will leave you refreshed to keep exploring.

Enjoy a relaxing evening of massage

Top 5 Nightlife Experience: Have a Cup at an Evening Cafe with Friends

Siem Reap has a vibrant food scene, including many relaxing boutique cafes. A casual evening with friends over a cup of coffee or tea is a nice way to unwind after the excitement of touring historic sites. You can find dozens of local cafes scattered along the riverside and throughout the downtown area. Cafes serve a wide range of coffees, teas, and beverages, along with local food and snacks.

Places like The River Coffee, Crane, and Biolab Café are open well into the evening. You'll find a quiet and friendly atmosphere for a leisurely evening. Most cafes are also kid-friendly, with plenty of non-caffeinated drinks and exquisite desserts.

Have a cup at an evening cafe with friends

Top 6 Nightlife Experience: Glamping in Siem Reap Becomes Increasingly Popular

Even in the heart of the city, you are never very far from nature in Cambodia. Glamping is a way to enjoy being close to nature, combined with the comfort of a hotel. Large tents and bungalows out in nature are available with just enough features for a comfortable and safe experience of the outdoors.

There are many glamping sites to choose from. Khmer House combines traditional Khmer architecture with modern comforts in open-air bungalows with private gardens. The Beige is a luxury tent resort in a jungle setting where you can enjoy the evening in outdoors. Jungloo at Temptation combines a focus on respect for the natural surroundings with high-end amenities.

Glamping in Siem Reap becomes increasingly popular

Travel with Indochinatour.com, We Show the Best of Nightlife in Cambodia 

With comprehensive tours for all kinds of experiences in Cambodia and expert local travel guides, Indochina Tour is able to show you the best nightlife in Cambodia. It takes an intimate knowledge of the local scene to stay up to date with what's on offer. Our guides know all the hidden gems to make your experience even more memorable.

Choose from short tours, like four days exploring Siem Reap, or six days seeing the best of Cambodia, or have a more immersive experience like a 10-day overland tour of the country. By day, you'll see temples and archaeological wonders and then enjoy relaxing or exciting evenings with the varied nightlife options. 

10 Days Cambodian Panoramic Overland Tour

Siem Reap - Battambang - Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville - Koh Rong Island

Conclusion

Siem Reap has the full package of what Cambodia has to offer. Nature, history, culture, and exciting nightlife. From Pub Street's bars and restaurants to dance performances or relaxing spas and massages, your time in Siem Reap will be packed with adventure and fun. Choose from our wide range of Cambodian tours, or contact us to plan a personalized trip to the hidden gem of Southeast Asia.