BATTBONG Speakeasy Bar . Bistro — Restaurant in Khan Boeng Keng Kang

This is the second time we visited Batbong but tonight, I was so terribly disappointed by the treatment we received. Firstly, we were asked to move from a table I had reserved. A waiter came to ask us to move first and I very politely told him that we were comfortable there as we were 5 adults, what I booked for. Then the manager came and said a little bit rudely, that they were expecting a 10 patron visit and they needed that table so we very graciously moved. The party arrived, with only 5, yes the same number of people that we had, 5 people.

Then we ordered drinks and a pizza because we just wanted to come out for drinks and the wonderful music, but thought we'd just have a small snack too. Throughout the time we were there one waiter after the next came to ask what else we want. A few of us still had drinks so we said we were fine, then the manager walked to me and asked if we were going to order anything else, which they did not do to any other patron, particularly 5 different sets of people who were literally just having water. He then went on to say that he will bring me the bill which I did not ask for!!

We were made to feel very uncomfortable and what makes it worse for me is that my family are visiting us and we thought it would be a wonderful treat to take them to a place where we knew the music was amazing and the atmosphere was welcoming. How very wrong we were and because of this horrible act towards us, we most definitely will not be visiting this establishment any longer and will reserve our time and money for a more deserving...

Hidden at the end of a narrow alley behind a vintage Coca-Cola vending machine door, BattBong is one of Phnom Penh’s most atmospheric speakeasy bars. The entrance alone sets the tone — mysterious, playful, and slightly cinematic.

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🍸 Ambience & Music

Inside, the mood is intimate and dimly lit, with exposed brick walls, crafted cocktails, and live bands performing both English and Khmer songs. The singers are energetic and bring life to the space — though some guests find the volume a touch high for conversation. The vibe is ideal for a Friday night drink or a casual dinner with a bit of entertainment.

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🍴 Food & Drinks

The bar food exceeds expectations for a speakeasy: seafood pasta, garlic shrimp, and the seafood pizza are among the highlights. Dishes are flavorful, portions are fair, and presentation is thoughtful. Cocktails are well-crafted and balanced, showing attention to detail — the bartenders take pride in both flavor and aesthetics. Prices are slightly higher than the Phnom Penh average, but still reasonable for the quality and ambiance.

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💬 Service

Service can be uneven — friendly overall, but sometimes slow when the bar gets crowded. Still, staff usually remain attentive once you’re seated, and the overall experience feels polished...

Cute atmosphere and ok menu, but terrible service. We were not welcomed at all when we arrived with a reservation. They gave us dirty looks and questioned every detail of our reservation as if our reservation was not legitimate even though we callled to confirm the reservation the day before. They gave us one menu for a group of seven and took it away when we haven’t even finished ordering, claiming they didn’t have enough menus for the entire restaurant to let us finish ordering. They didn’t bring our food together or in a timely manner. Some people in our group got our food right away, while others waited about 2+ hours. They took our plates away without confirming if we were done. “A” for effort for their cocktails. They tried to make inventive cocktails, but it barely had any alcohol. I had to order an extra shot in order to make up for it. The music was VERY loud. I couldn’t hear the person next to me talking. When I asked them to turn it down I basically got an eye roll.

EDIT: added a star because management sincerely apologized and I certainly believe in a good redemption story! The place is actually very cool, and perhaps just needs some...