Picasso Bar, established in 2009, is one of Siem Reap’s most respected evening hangouts for both tourists and locals alike and is staffed by both Local Khmer and Western Expats. Recently celebrating it’s 15 year anniversary, Picasso Bar is one of Siem Reap’s longest serving bars, standing the test of time in a town with a high turnover rate for businesses!
Designed with the aim of being a quiet oasis amongst the chaos of Pub Street, this unique horseshoe shaped bar encourages conversation and you’re sure to find yourself engaged whilst sipping on delicious cocktails or eating one of their tapas offerings. The interior brickwork and arched ceiling immediately gives of vibes of a traditional wine cellar, or the railway arches you can find in places such as Camden Market.
After a long, sweaty day of exploring the Angkor Wat temple complex or other Siem Reap tourist attractions, you’re sure to be in need of a relaxing drink so don’t miss Picasso Bar, one of our favourite spots to hang out in the evening.
To find Picasso Bar, you’ll want to head to Alley West. This vibrant alleyway, a stone’s throw away from Pub Street Siem Reap is home to several other bars, restaurants and shops.
Serving bottled local and imported beers, cocktails, soft drinks, wine and light food dishes, prices at this intimate venue begin at $2 with cocktails ranging from $4 to $4.50. They run a daily happy hour from 5.30-9pm (or all night on Wednesdays) which will see you getting buy one get one free on selected cocktails, an incredible bargain for some really great drinks. Happy Hour cocktails include the timeless classic espresso martini and the holiday favourite, sex on the beach. House spirits with a mixer are $3, and premium/top shelf spirits are also available including single malt scotch whisky. They also run nightly specials so keep an eye out!
Before the covid-19 shutdowns, Picasso bar was home to a full Spanish tapas menu which unfortunately had to be reduced due to less people frequenting the town. However, they are still running a hot snack menu which is available at all times during opening hours. This includes some awesome chicken wings, and several vegetarian options including vegetable gyozas and chunky fries with a tasty seasoning. In the near future, the full tapas menu should be making a comeback, so make sure to keep an eye out for that!
Picasso Bar is open from 5pm daily and stays open late, never closing before 1am but often staying open well into the early hours, providing people are having fun! The bar is closed every Monday, to give people a chance to recover from the weekend.
We recommend trying their ‘Fiery Moscow Mule’, a delicious cocktail made using the bar’s own homemade ginger infusion, which adds a gingery kick with a touch of spice. If you fancy something a bit sweeter, the ‘Jamaican Me Crazy’ is a fan favourite. This cocktail, accompanied by a large slice of fresh pineapple is like a twisted version of the classic Pina Colada. If you’re an Espresso Martini drinker, check out their own special versions of the classic drink, including a Bailey’s and a Salted Caramel option. They also have their own special Sangria recipe which is fantastic, and only $3 on Sundays!
Don’t forget to check out their specials boards as they often have off-menu drinks up there. On our last visit that included Guinness Draught Cans and a Pink Gin Splash, a refreshing gin based cocktail made with locally produced gin. Guinness Draught cans, complete with the nitrogen widget, are a rare sight in Siem Reap, with most places opting instead for the cheaper ‘Guinness Export’ bottles, which as any Guinness drinker knows, are nowhere near as delicious!
Picasso Bar is a great place to relax in full air conditioning after a busy day out in the heat, and an even better place to pick up some great tips from people who live in Siem Reap. You’ll always find friendly expats who are happy to share their knowledge of this fantastic town, so if you’re looking for recommendations on what to do in Siem Reap, or are thinking of moving here, make sure to head down for a chat! Towards the later parts of the evening, this bar gets lively so prepare yourself for a fun night! Click HERE to visit their Facebook page to check out their specials and see what they’re up to.
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