Zeppelin Bar
Taiwanese expat Jun opened Zeppelin Bar in 2002 with his parents' help, his wife's savings, and 2,000 pristine vinyl records collected across a lifetime of obsession with classic rock. He sits quietly in a corner playing Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Hendrix, the Doors, and deep cuts from the 60s, 70s, and 80s through vintage speakers while guitars hang on the walls and Zeppelin posters cover every surface. No trance, no techno, no electronic music. Ever.
What to Expect
A narrow bar plastered with rock memorabilia, 2,000 vinyl records played through vintage speakers by the owner himself, cold beer, basic cocktails, and a crowd of rock fans who appreciate the genuine article.
Cult and intimate. The opposite of everything else on the surrounding streets.
Classic rock, blues, heavy metal, 60s-80s hard rock. Vinyl only.
Casual.
Rock music lovers who want the real thing in a city where it is rare.
Cash (USD).
Price Range
Beer $1.50-$3 USD; cocktails $3-$5 USD
Hours
Daily from around 6 PM to late.
Insider Tip
Talk to Jun about his vinyl collection; he knows every record. This is a proper listening bar in spirit even when it gets crowded. Do not request anything that would not appear on a 1973 FM rock station.
Full Review
Zeppelin Bar is a narrow room on Street 136 plastered floor-to-ceiling with rock memorabilia, vintage guitars on the walls, and Zeppelin posters covering every remaining surface. Taiwanese expat Jun opened it in 2002 with 2,000 pristine vinyl records and a simple rule: classic rock, blues, and heavy metal from the 60s through the 80s. No electronic music. Ever.
Jun sits in his corner and plays the records himself through vintage speakers. The sound is warm and analog in a way that digital systems don't replicate. The crowd is small and devoted: rock fans who know their Deep Purple from their Black Sabbath, expats who've been coming for years, and the occasional traveler who stumbles in and doesn't leave. Beer is cold and cheap. Cocktails are basic.
There is nothing else like Zeppelin Bar in Phnom Penh or, arguably, in Southeast Asia. It's not a bar that plays classic rock; it's a listening room run by a collector who happens to serve beer. The vinyl-only policy and Jun's personal curation create an atmosphere that a Spotify playlist and a sound system could never match.
Talk to Jun about his collection; he knows every record personally. Don't request anything that wouldn't have played on a 1973 FM rock station. The bar gets crowded on weekends but stays intimate regardless of numbers. Come on a weeknight for the purest experience.
The Neighborhood
Zeppelin Bar occupies a small storefront on Street 136, part of the riverside nightlife strip but spiritually worlds apart from the hostess bars and backpacker spots that surround it. It's a cult destination that draws visitors specifically for the vinyl experience.
Getting There
On Street 136 near the Riverside, a five-minute walk from Sisowath Quay. Tuk-tuk from most central locations costs $1-2.
Address
Street 136
Where to stay in Phnom Penh
Compare hotels near the nightlife districts. Free cancellation on most properties.
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