Birdcage Bar
The Birdcage is a gay-friendly boutique hotel and bar run by a gay couple on Street 262 in the Daun Penh district. The bar side operates as a relaxed social space with a pool, comfortable lounge seating, and a welcoming policy toward the LGBTQ+ community and allied straight visitors. It is the most overtly queer-friendly accommodation-bar in Phnom Penh and runs periodic events that attract a mixed but inclusive crowd.
What to Expect
A boutique hotel bar with a pool, lounge areas, a welcoming atmosphere, and an LGBTQ+-forward ethos. Quieter than the full nightclubs but more intimate and comfortable.
Warm and inclusive. More relaxed than the nightclub scene but socially engaged.
Background lounge music; DJ nights on event evenings.
Casual and inclusive.
LGBTQ+ travelers wanting a safe, welcoming base in Phnom Penh.
Cash and cards (USD).
Price Range
Drinks $3-$7 USD
Hours
Bar open daily from late morning. Evening events vary; check birdcagecambodia.com.
Insider Tip
Worth booking a room here if you want a queer-friendly base. The bar is open to non-guests. Check the event calendar on the website before visiting.
Full Review
The Birdcage is a boutique hotel and bar on Street 262 run by a gay couple, operating as Phnom Penh's most overtly LGBTQ+-friendly accommodation and social space. The bar area includes a pool, comfortable lounge seating, and a design sensibility that's a clear step above the backpacker hostels. The atmosphere is relaxed rather than clubby, prioritizing comfort and conversation over dance floors.
The crowd is mixed but leans LGBTQ+, with allied straight visitors and general travelers also welcome. Periodic events draw a broader audience, but the default evening is quiet drinks by the pool with a small, friendly group of guests and locals. Service is personal and warm, reflecting the boutique hotel ethos rather than a commercial bar operation.
The Birdcage fills a specific gap in Phnom Penh's social landscape. Heart of Darkness covers the LGBTQ+ nightclub space, but there's been no equivalent for travelers who want a quieter, more intimate queer-friendly environment. The hotel-bar combination means you can make it your base rather than just a stop on an evening out.
Check the event calendar on birdcagecambodia.com before visiting, since the programming varies. The bar is open to non-guests. Booking a room gives you the complete experience: a queer-friendly base with a social bar attached. The pool is the natural gathering point for evening drinks.
The Neighborhood
The Birdcage sits on Street 262 in Daun Penh, away from the main nightlife strips but accessible by tuk-tuk. It provides a dedicated LGBTQ+-friendly space in a city where queer venues are limited and scattered.
Getting There
On Street 262, a short tuk-tuk ride from the Riverside or Street 104 area, costing $1-2. Not within easy walking distance of the main nightlife cluster.
Where to stay in Phnom Penh
Compare hotels near the nightlife districts. Free cancellation on most properties.
Other Venues in Street 136
Zeppelin Bar
Rock-themed backpacker bar covered in classic rock memorabilia and band posters. Cheap draught beer and a reliably rowdy crowd after 10 PM.
Mad Monkey Bar
Hostel bar that doubles as the social hub of the backpacker strip. Beer pong, drink specials, and organized pub crawls make it the default starting point for budget travelers.
Eighty8 Backpackers
Open-front bar serving dollar beers and cheap cocktails to a rotating cast of backpackers. Music is whatever the bartender feels like playing.
Shanghai Bar
No-frills corner bar that's been part of the Street 136 scene for years. Pool table, bucket drinks, and a crowd that skews young and international.