Imagine having a meal and then knocking back drinks in one of the city’s most-storied heritage sites and you’ll get the gist of Chinese House. This glamorous building with its vaulted ceilings, courtyards and wooden beams traces back to 1903-1905, and takes up a prime spot in the French colonial district. Today, guests visit for the Pan-Asian Pacific cuisine of South African chef Amy Baard (who won Iron Chef Thailand in 2014). Though the wine cellar is fully stocked with over 100 labels (starting at a low US$4.75/B166 per glass), the cocktails are an equally strong point. Twenty-eight-year-old Khmer native Mr. Peke’s menu moves from the fruity and refreshing Tutti Frutti—vodka, triple sec, lime, grenadine, San Pellegrino Orange, passion Fruit, soda, bitters and lime ($6.50/B228)—to the richer China White, which sees gin and kaffir lime cordial mixed with coconut milk and soda ($5.50/B193). Or if you’re still undecided about their signature cocktails, just ask the bartender to make something to your taste for $6.50 (B228). Of the 20 beer labels, we like Belgium’s Moa St Joseph ($9.25/B324). Try hitting it up on a Sunday afternoon, when they host brunch with live music. 

The down-to-earth industrial feel of metal and raw exposed bricks will feel all too familiar at this spot where they both perfect the classics and dish out their own creations. Elbow Room goes as far as to claim they have the best cocktails in PP city—try the Yuz Ya Head, which sees Jasmine tea infused rum combined with house-made sesame orgeat syrup, pressed lime, coconut and yuzu foam (US$5/B175). If you’re not a tea fan, try the coffee-based 1st of The Month—bourbon, dry curacao, Cynar, cold-brew coffee and Angostura bitters (US$6/B210). Local flavors also get their own cocktail interpretations in the Riel OG, which blends Cambodian herbs with Sipsmith Summer Cup gin, house-made made strawberry cordial and citrus. It’s also a live venue, professionally equipped to showcase some of Phnom Penh’s local hip-hop music scene with occasional visits from international artists.

 

This huge space is more like one of our typical suburban Bangkok pub: beer garden, grill restaurant, private rooms, terraces and a stage for live bands. Best of all though is the tournament-quality pool table and electronic darts. They also brew their own craft beer from natural ingredients imported from Germany. Gold Angel (acl. 4.8%, US$3.90/B137 for 1/2 pint) is a lager fused between Asian and European tastes—easy to drink and smooth. For something stronger yet still refreshing, try the German wheat Amber Witch (acl. 5.1%, US$5.90/B207 for 1/2 pint)—perfect for warm weather. Red Fury (acl. 7.8% , US$6.20/B217 for 1/2 pint) is a stout and has been specifically created for experienced beer-drinkers, brewed with a German recipe based on an English stout. Lastly, their IPA (alc. 6.8%, US$6.20/B217 for 1/2 pint) is the most bitter and has a high alcohol level.