Pub Street is the beating heart of Siem Reap’s nightlife, a short lane of bars, restaurants and music that comes alive after sunset, and the alleys around it hide more places than most visitors ever find. A pub crawl is a sociable way to see it. A guide leads the group on foot through the busiest stretch and into the smaller lanes, introducing bars with different moods: rooftop spots, cocktail rooms, open-air terraces with live music and simple local places where beer is cheap and the crowd is mixed. Between stops you learn how the Old Market area has changed from a quiet French-era town into a lively centre of cafes, galleries and guesthouses, and you pick up tips on where to eat late, where to find a quieter drink and which streets to avoid. The tour is built for meeting people, so it suits solo travellers who would like company as much as groups of friends who want someone else to choose the route. It is a light-hearted counterpart to the serious sights of the day.
How to visit
The crawl meets in the evening at a central point near Pub Street, usually after dinner or at dusk, and moves on foot between several venues over a few hours. A guide keeps the group together, explains each stop and handles the introductions, so you do not need to plan anything. Details such as the meeting point, which drinks are included and the number of venues are when you book. The tour is for adults, and you should be prepared to drink at your own pace.
What to expect
Pub Street itself is bright, loud and busy, with music from every doorway and street vendors selling snacks, so the walk between stops is part of the fun. Away from the main strip the alleys are quieter and more characterful, with small bars, courtyards and bamboo-covered terraces. Your guide helps you try local drinks such as Cambodian beer and the infused rice spirit known as sombai, and may suggest street snacks to go with them.
The mix of travellers means the group often splits into smaller circles, and the end of the night usually finds people swapping tips on temples, tuk-tuk drivers and onward routes through Cambodia.
Making the most of it
Do not schedule the crawl before a sunrise at Angkor Wat, which means a four o’clock alarm, and drink plenty of water between rounds. Keep your phone and wallet secure in a front pocket or small bag, agree a meeting point if the group splits and take a tuk-tuk home rather than walking alone late at night.
Dress casually in light clothing, with closed shoes for the uneven pavements. Travellers who prefer a quieter evening can pair a dinner on the street with a stroll through the night market, or see Phare, the Cambodian Circus, earlier in the night and join the crawl afterwards. Drink responsibly and respect the local customs, including the dress code when you visit temples the next day.
Plan your night around the weather as well: in the rainy months an evening shower can empty the street for twenty minutes before it fills again, so a light waterproof layer is more useful than an umbrella in the crowded lanes.
What to expect
The experience
A guided evening walk through Pub Street and the side alleys, stopping at several bars and meeting other travellers.
Best time
Any evening after dinner, though weekends and the cool dry season are liveliest.
How long
About three hours.
Tips
Pace your drinking, keep valuables secure, avoid booking it before a sunrise start and take a tuk-tuk home.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Solo travellers and groups of friends who want a social night out with a local guide.
- Families
- Not aimed at families; it is an adults-only evening.
- Couples
- A lively night out in good company if you enjoy bars and meeting other travellers.
- Pair with
- Phare, the Cambodian Circus, earlier in the evening, or the evening food tour before the crawl.
- Time needed
- Three hours, in the evening.
Good questions
Is the pub crawl for adults only?+
Yes. It is an adult evening activity centred on bars and drinking, so it is not suitable for children.
Where does the pub crawl meet?+
It meets near Pub Street in central Siem Reap. The exact meeting point and time are shown by the operator.
Is it safe to walk around Pub Street at night?+
The area is busy and well lit, but keep your phone and wallet secure, stay with your group and take a tuk-tuk back to your hotel rather than walking alone late at night.
What local drinks will I try?+
Expect Cambodian beer and possibly sombai, an infused rice spirit. Check the operator for what is included at each stop.
Should I do the crawl before an Angkor sunrise?+
It is better not to. Sunrise tours start in the small hours, so most travellers keep the crawl for a night before a lie-in or a rest day.
