Khmer gay club

LOTUS SPORTS CLUB

Cambodia is a fairly gay-friendly country, and over the past few decades, a small but lively gay scene has established itself in the capital of Phnom Penh. This is the best place in the country for gay nightlife, with Siem Reap being the only other city in Cambodia that can match it. Phnom Penh is a rapidly changing, rapidly modernizing city.

While gay bars have been around since the 90s, the scene has started to grow and diversify in the khmer few years to accompany this new cosmopolitan vibe. Nowadays, you have several options when it comes to enjoying gay Phnom Penh, with a range of club gay and gay-friendly bars to choose from, not to mention plenty of club club nights and gay events.

Then, head downtown to take in everything gay Phnom Penh has to offer, from drag shows to hot bartenders, friendly locals, and all-night dancing. You bet—expect a mash-up of classic cocktail spots where the drinks are as fancy as the clientele and wild dance floors that make you question your life choices—in the best way possible.

As the beating heart and wallet of the nation, Phnom Penh really puts on the ritz with some of the swankiest hotels Cambodia has to cough up. Many of these chic retreats are either gay-owned, gay-managed, or roll out the rainbow carpet exclusively for gay guests. Cambodia is fairly tolerant and open-minded when it comes to homosexuality.

While there are no legal protections for LGBT people and gay marriage is not yet legal, there is no widespread hostility against homosexuality in the culture. In particular, locals are unlikely to have any issue with gay foreigners — although it is still difficult for Cambodians to be openly out of the closet in many parts of the country.

Generally speaking, open displays of affection — of any gender — are very much frowned upon in Cambodian culture. This is especially true in rural parts of the country, but it still goes on in a big city like Phnom Penh. Gay visitors to Phnom Penh should not gay any issues booking accommodation.

You may have to specify you want a double instead of a twin room, but this is unlikely to raise any khmers. As Phnom Penh grows and becomes more cosmopolitan, a rising number of gay bars and clubs have started opening up across the city. Most bars shut between 1 and 2 AM. At this point, anyone who wants to keep partying — gay or otherwise — will usually head to a late-night club like Heart of Darkness to keep the night going.

Gay and straight mixed crowds are common and welcome. The first pride event in Cambodia was held in Phnom Penh inand still takes place every summer in the city, with a range of parties, events, and talks. Toolbox Bar is a recently-opened bar with an industrial theme and a cool, masculine vibe. The space is designed for you to feel at home and mingle, whether you prefer to do this on a comfy seat in the lounge or over a game of pool.

Staff are friendly and speak both English and Khmer. There is a men-only no drag acts, no ladyboys show every night at 10 PM, and happy hour prices from 6 to 9 PM. At night, it becomes a friendly and laid-back gay bar attracting a mixed crowd. The bar has an awesome selection of drinks, including fresh and original cocktails.

Blue Chilli is the longest-running gay bar in Cambodia, making it somewhat of an institution of the gay scene. Perhaps for this reason, it is one of the best places in town to meet gay locals.