PHNOM PENH - RIVERSIDE

Phnom Penh has been the capital of Cambodia since the mid 19th century. Positioned at the juncture of the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Tonle Bassac rivers offered the City advantageous networks of trade in South East Asia. Colonized by the French until 1953 the architecture has a unique blend of Khmer and French influence..

The social scene in Phnom Penh is located in many pockets around the city. The concentration of Bars and Restaurants is located on the Riverside along Sisowath Quay. This is a welcoming area with the river views and cooling breezes. The bustling riverfront hosts nightly entertainment through exercising and local food stalls. It is a popular area to just sit and watch Phnom Penh life glide by.

Whilst many bars come and go, Riverside Bistro has been established since April 1996 and is consistently the place to be for a good night out. The clientele is a cosmopolitan mix of locals, expats and tourists who come to enjoy the excellent range of International Cuisine, broad range of cold and hot beverages as well as an extensive cocktail menu.

Arriving at the Riverside Bistro on Phnom Penh’s Sisowath Quay is as if entering a lost world. The historic colonial art deco building, one of the finest remaining examples on the riverfront, offers a glimpse of the exotic city that has allured adventurous travellers for decades.

The expansive outside terrace invites guests to stay and enjoy the unparalleled views of the majestic Tonle Sap. Choose from the wide selection of newspapers and magazines in many languages, while enjoying a cup of fresh Italian Lavazza coffee or treating yourself to one of the freshly homemade cakes from the famous in house bakery. Watch the sunset encompass the sky with a range of pastel pinks and indigo. Or arrive early for breakfast and see the sun rise illuminate the river.

Inside the real enchantment lies. A bar lost in the midst of reproduction murals showing reliefs of the Angkorian jungle. Antiques range from Burmese Buddhas over 1,000 years old to an original 1905 Gramophone! This is a bar unique not only in Phnom Penh but throughout the region. The Riverside’s team of charming waitresses will greet you with a traditional Cambodian welcome. Either sit at the large 1900’s style wooden bar or dine at one of the tables.

Alongside these artefacts more modern entertainment is available. Free Internet and WiFi allow you to keep in touch with family and friends or search for your next adventure. A 9-ball slate pool table – the best in town – allows you to enjoy a game with a friend old or new, free of charge. Alternatively challenge someone to a game of table football or,even chess.

Four HD widescreen TVs show live HD Sports through a state-of-the-art satellite and cable system. There’s a vast library of music concerts in BluRay and DVD, so any request can be fulfilled.

A Bistro is nothing without fine cuisine, and here the Riverside bares comparison with the finest restaurants in town. Boasting Western and Asian classics, the menu includes the finest Khmer cuisine for those wishing to try out something local. Fresh pasta is made on site with ingredients from the local market. The kitchen staff are professionally trained in hygiene, and the food is quality controlled to an international standard. Just ask your waitress to guide you through the menu.

The Music Lounge entices you to the rear of the bar with a stunning arched stage. Live Music played every Wednesday to Sunday by an excellent House Band that play an eclectic mix of Rock and Pop so you can dance away to the early hours of the morning. Sunday is Open Mic allowing the adventurous customer to serenade the fellow guests.

Enter the Riverside Bistro and Music Lounge at your peril. Once inside you might just decide never to return home!