Street 104

Overview and Location

Street 104 is a single block of bars crammed into a narrow lane in Phnom Penh's riverside district, running between Street 13 (the riverfront road) and Street 15. It sits one block inland from Sisowath Quay and parallel to the better-known Street 136. The entire bar strip is barely 50 meters long, but a dozen or more venues pack both sides of the lane, creating a concentrated pocket of nightlife that punches well above its size.

The atmosphere on Street 104 is rougher and more unpolished than Street 136. The bars are smaller, the lighting is dimmer, and the clientele leans toward longer-term expats and regulars rather than first-time tourists. This isn't a criticism; it's a description. Street 104 has its own appeal for visitors who find the more touristy spots sanitized. Live music spills out of Oscar's corner location, pool tables clack at Air Force Bar, and the whole block has an energy that feels less staged than the riverside venues.

Legal Status

Cambodia's 2008 Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation makes prostitution illegal. In practice, Phnom Penh's hostess bar industry operates openly, and Street 104's venues are no exception. Bars are licensed as entertainment and food-and-beverage establishments. The hostess model, where workers sit with customers, encourage drink purchases, and can leave the venue for a bar fine, functions with limited interference from authorities.

Enforcement on Street 104 is minimal for standard operations. Police occasionally walk through the area but rarely disrupt business. The government's anti-trafficking efforts focus on street-level sex work, underage exploitation, and unlicensed operations rather than established hostess bars. That said, Cambodia cooperates aggressively with international law enforcement on cases involving minors, and penalties are severe.

Operating hours on Street 104 are loose by Phnom Penh standards. Some bars open in the late afternoon, but most don't get busy until 9 or 10 PM. Closing times are flexible; venues often stay open until 2-3 AM, with some pushing later on weekends. The regulatory environment in Phnom Penh is less structured than in Thailand, and closing times reflect that.

Costs and Pricing

Street 104 is one of the cheapest nightlife strips in Southeast Asia. Even by Phnom Penh's low standards, the prices here are accessible.

Beer: Draft beer runs $1-2.50 depending on the venue. Cambodia Beer cans cost about $2 at most bars. Angkor and Tiger are similarly priced. The Factory, the strip's largest venue, charges $3 for draft, which is the high end for the street. Smaller bars like Small Girls Bar and Marine Bar start drafts at $1.

Spirits and cocktails: Gin and tonics, vodka mixers, and similar drinks cost $3.50-4.50 at most bars. Wine runs $4-5 per glass. Don't expect craft cocktails here; the drinks are straightforward and strong.

Lady drinks: These range from $4 to $5 across Street 104. Oscar's and Small Girls Bar charge $4, while The Factory and Air Force Bar charge $5. A lady drink purchase signals that you'd like a worker to sit with you. Workers will suggest them after a few minutes of conversation, which is standard practice.

Bar fines: The bar fine is the fee paid to the establishment for a worker to leave with a customer. On Street 104, fines range from $10 to $20. Oscar's and Marine Bar are at the low end ($10). Air Force Bar and Nana Bar charge $15. The Factory, as the premium venue on the strip, charges $20. Some bars offer reduced bar fines of $10 after midnight on quiet nights.

Food: Street 104 itself doesn't have much food, but the surrounding streets are full of options. Street food stalls near the riverfront sell noodle dishes and rice plates for $1-2. Casual restaurants in the area charge $3-6 for a meal. The BKK1 neighborhood, a short Grab ride south, has more variety.

Transport: A Grab or PassApp ride from Street 104 to BKK1 costs $1.50-2.50. A tuk-tuk to the same area runs $3-4 negotiated. Short tuk-tuk hops within the riverside district cost $1-2.

Street-Level Detail

Walking onto Street 104 from the riverfront side (Street 13), Oscar's On The Corner sits at the entrance. It's the most visible venue on the strip, with a terrace for smoking, two bar counters, and live music that starts around 10 PM and runs past midnight. Oscar's functions as the street's anchor, pulling in foot traffic that feeds the rest of the block.

Moving down the lane, Air Force Bar occupies a recently renovated space on the right. It's one of the larger venues, with a separate pool table room and a sizable staff. The renovation expanded the bar significantly, and it now feels more spacious than most Street 104 spots. Eagle Bar (formerly One Zero Four) has friendly new management, VIP rooms, and a party atmosphere on busy nights.

The Factory is the strip's standout venue, occupying a space that previously housed two separate bars (Babylone and Orange). Under new ownership, it has been rebuilt into the largest hostess bar in Phnom Penh. The ground floor has two bar counters and a pool table. Upper levels include five VIP areas, a jacuzzi, and a balcony overlooking the street. It's a step up from everything else on the block and charges prices to match.

Nana Bar, All-In Bar, Miss Angel, Small Girls Bar, Marine Bar, and Blue Eyes Bar fill the remaining spots along both sides of the lane. Each has its own regulars and character, but the format is consistent: open-front bars with stools, pool tables, TVs, and hostesses. The Marine Bar has a KTV (karaoke) room for private singing sessions.

Safety

Street 104 is reasonably safe inside the bars, but the streets around it carry Phnom Penh's standard risks. Motorbike bag snatching is the most serious threat. Thieves on motorbikes target pedestrians carrying bags, phones, or cameras, and the grabs can cause serious injuries when victims are dragged. When walking to and from Street 104, carry bags cross-body in front of you and keep your phone out of sight.

Inside the venues, the main risks are drink spiking and petty theft. Don't leave your drink unattended. Don't leave your phone on the bar counter. Keep your wallet in a front pocket. The bars themselves are small enough that staff notice trouble quickly, which is a security advantage of the compact layout.

Police corruption is a reality in Phnom Penh. Foreign visitors are occasionally stopped by police on nearby streets and asked for documents or fined for minor or fabricated infractions. Carrying a photocopy of your passport (leave the original in your hotel safe) and staying calm usually resolves these encounters. A "fine" of $5-10 may be suggested. Don't argue; pay it and move on if the situation feels confrontational.

Use Grab or PassApp for all transport to and from Street 104, especially late at night. Walking along the riverfront after midnight is generally fine if you stay in well-lit areas, but side streets can be dark and empty.

Cultural Context

Street 104's bar scene exists within a complicated social context. Cambodia is one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries, and the entertainment industry is shaped by that reality. Many workers on the strip come from rural provinces and support extended families. The pay differentials between bar work in Phnom Penh and agricultural work in the countryside are enormous, which drives the labor supply.

Khmer culture values softness and indirect communication. Raising your voice or showing visible anger is considered deeply disrespectful, regardless of the situation. Even if you're overcharged or feel misled, handle it quietly and with a smile. The sampeah greeting (a slight bow with palms pressed together) is polite to return when offered. Basic Khmer phrases ("arkun" for thank you, "suor sdei" for hello) earn goodwill.

Tipping is appreciated on Street 104. $1-2 for bar staff and $2-5 for workers who spend time with you is typical. Cambodia's dual-currency system means US dollars are the default for transactions above a few thousand riel. You'll receive small change in riel (4,000 riel = $1). Don't refuse riel coins; they're legal tender and useful for street food and tuk-tuks.

Scam Warnings

The card game invitation: Locals or other foreigners may invite you to a "friendly" poker or card game at a private location. This is a well-established scam in Phnom Penh, not limited to Street 104. The games are rigged and victims lose significant amounts. Decline all invitations to gamble with strangers.

Police shakedowns: Officers may approach foreign visitors near the bar strip and demand to see identification or claim a minor infraction. Carrying a passport copy and remaining polite usually ends the interaction. If a "fine" is demanded, $5-10 typically resolves it. Don't hand over your actual passport.

Motorbike snatch theft: The most dangerous scam isn't really a scam; it's robbery. Thieves on motorbikes target anyone carrying a visible bag, phone, or camera. The grab is fast and violent. Don't walk along the road with bags on your traffic-side shoulder.

Nearby Areas

Street 136, Phnom Penh's more established bar strip, runs parallel to Street 104, one block closer to the river. It's slightly more polished and draws more first-time visitors. Walking between the two takes under two minutes, and bar-hopping between the streets on a single evening is common.

The Riverside (Sisowath Quay) is a one-minute walk east. It has tourist restaurants, cocktail bars, and a more open, less intense atmosphere. Bassac Lane in BKK1, about a 10-minute Grab ride south, is Phnom Penh's trendiest drinking street, with cocktail bars and restaurants that attract young professionals and creative types.

Meeting People Nearby

The riverside area offers better opportunities for organic socializing than the bar streets. Restaurants and rooftop bars along Sisowath Quay attract a mixed crowd of tourists, expats, and Cambodian professionals. Eclipse Sky Bar at Phnom Penh Tower and Sora Sky Bar at the Rosewood Hotel are upscale options for meeting people outside the hostess bar circuit. Coworking spaces like SmallWorld and Factory Phnom Penh have daytime social scenes driven by freelancers and NGO workers. See the main Phnom Penh city guide for information on expat communities, dating apps, and social events.

Best Times

• 10 PM to 1 AM is peak time on Street 104; before 9 PM, most bars are empty
• Friday and Saturday draw the biggest crowds, with bars staying open past 2 AM
• Weeknights are quieter but can feel more personal, with workers less rushed
• The dry season (November to April) is more comfortable for going out; the rainy season brings heavy evening downpours
• Water Festival (November) is Phnom Penh's biggest celebration and the liveliest time on the bar streets
• Khmer New Year (mid-April) empties the city as many workers return to their home provinces; some bars close temporarily

What Not to Do

• Do not carry a bag on your road-side shoulder; motorbike snatch theft is aggressive and common in this area
• Do not use your phone while walking along the street, especially near traffic
• Do not accept invitations to play cards or gamble with strangers
• Do not leave your drink unattended at any venue
• Do not carry or use drugs; police stings targeting foreigners happen in Phnom Penh
• Do not engage with anyone who appears underage; Cambodia cooperates with international law enforcement and penalties are severe
• Do not raise your voice or show visible anger, even if you feel cheated
• Do not hand your actual passport to police; carry a photocopy and keep the original in your hotel safe