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Kampot’s nightlife runs on two things: riverside bars and rooftop pools. By day, travellers kayak the Kampot River or explore the pepper plantations. By night, they gather at places like **Mad Monkey Hostel**, where the rooftop bar fills up by 20:00 and the pool parties start after dark. The vibe is social but low-key: no megaclubs, just cold Angkor beer, cheap cocktails, and a mix of backpackers and expats.
Hostels here double as nightlife hubs. **Karma Traders** packs out its rooftop bar most nights, while **The Magic Sponge** on Street 724 draws a crowd with live music and pool tables. Most venues sit within a 10-minute walk along the river, so you can bar-hop without needing a tuk-tuk. Expect to pay $1–2 for a beer and $3–4 for a cocktail: prices that make staying out late easy.
How to get to Kampot from Phnom Penh, and Sihanoukville
How Kampot's nightlife zones break down
The heart of Kampot’s nightlife, stretching along the Kampot River. Most hostels, bars, and restaurants sit along this strip, making it the best place to stay if you want to be within walking distance of everything. The area is lively but not noisy, with a mix of backpackers and expats.
A short walk from the river, this street is packed with bars, cafés, and hostels. It’s where you’ll find **The Magic Sponge** and **Karma Traders**, so it’s the centre of the backpacker scene. The atmosphere is social but not overwhelming, with a few quieter spots if you need a break.
A small square near the river, home to **Old Market Bar** and a few local eateries. It’s a good place to start the night if you want something low-key before moving on to livelier spots. The market itself sells cheap street food during the day, like grilled corn and noodles.
Bars, clubs and live music in Kampot
The rooftop bar here is the default meeting spot for backpackers. Expect pool parties on weekends, cheap beer ($1.50), and a mix of travellers playing drinking games. The crowd is young and rowdy, but it’s easy to escape to the poolside if you need a break. Gets busy from 21:00.
This hostel’s rooftop bar is the place to start the night. Happy hour runs from 17:00 to 19:00 with $2 cocktails, and the crowd is a mix of solo travellers and groups. The vibe is social but not overwhelming: think board games, cheap shots, and river views. Live music some nights.
A backpacker institution with pool tables, live music, and a garden bar. The crowd is a mix of expats and travellers, and the two-for-one cocktail deal during happy hour (17:00–19:00) packs the place out. Gets loud after 22:00, especially on weekends when bands play.
A no-frills spot with $1 beers and a prime location next to the river. The crowd is mostly backpackers and a few locals. It’s a good place to start the night if you want something low-key before heading to livelier spots. Open until midnight, later on weekends.
A rooftop bar with a more relaxed vibe, popular with an older crowd. Cocktails cost $4–5, but the views over the river make it worth it. Open until 01:00 on weekends, so it’s a good late-night option if you want to avoid hostel parties. Happy hour runs from 17:00 to 19:00.
A social enterprise café that turns into a bar at night. The crowd is a mix of travellers and expats, and the atmosphere is chilled. They serve cheap beer ($1.50) and cocktails ($3–4). Live music some nights, usually acoustic sets. Open until 22:00.
What's on in Kampot
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