I last visited Cambodia in August 2002. After experiencing the exotic delights off all its neigbouring countries, I have to admit that Cambodia and more particularly Phnom Penh cannot in my view be beaten. I felt the most welcoming and pleasant international establishment in the capital was Martini Bar. This spacious venue located a little outside the centre (you can get there on the back of a bike for $0.50 at the very most) boasts within its boundaries 3 snack vendors, 2 bars, a nightclub, a wide screen and most important of all the most charming and welcoming girls I have had the chance to encounter in Asia. They are not at all pushy and a good deal of them are actual khmers (as opposed to the Vietnamese who have a very business like attitude towards the wole process). Khmer girls, on the other hand, are quite fun and happy to get to know you. They will wink at you if you keep staring at them and welcome you rather than hurl themselves at you (like in Thailand for instance). Once you've introduced yourself, you can offer to have something to eat from the delicious khmer and Chinese vendors) or go to the nightclub as a good way of breaking the ice. Drinks are really cheap and the selection of (non pushy) beautiful girls is such that this makes a perfect way of spending (all) your evenings. The staff is also very helpful (mainly girls) and will endeavor to introduce you to your chosen beauty if you're to shy to appproach her on your own. Once she is happy and you are happy, it is time to take a taxi (they are all waiting outside) back to the hotel (if you play your cards right, you can easily find a hotel with a "visitor freindly" attitude. Mine was the Walkabout Hotel and I had no trouble whatsoever) for a bit of bedroom olympics. Unlike the Vietnamese girls, the Khmers will not negotiate beforehand unless you initiate. The most I have paid was $20 for the whole night and as many "seconds" as you can handle. They are very accomodating and will do all sorts... If you decide the following day to go back to Martini (and I'm confident you will..) you might bump into your previous night encounter and go back with her or, if you prefer, she will be happy to introduce you to her best friend/cousin/sister...This is certainly a pleasant contrast to Thailand where the girls'aptitudes at pretending to be jealous if you decide to try out one of her colleagues can be irritating! In Phnom Penh, there is also the Sharky bar which in my opinion is not as much fun. It is for a start quite expensive, run by Westerners and full of Vietnamese girls who have travelled all the way to Cambodia to whore. So, in my opinion, if you prefer an Asian style place with non pushy Khmer girls and quite low prices, then Martini is the place. Have fun!

Good words. I think the bars are a good idea. The likelihood of underage issues is far less, and many of the bars are western owned and/or operated.

As far as the underage issue goes, it was also a part of Martinis history too. After closing briefly they came up with a few workable solutions to the problem and continued as a business. Should not be a problem now. A few more locations: "Sharkys" "Shanghai" "LeCyree" "Walkabout" and "Manhattan Disco" to name a few.
Every place has it's own atmosphere. Note, There are no nudie bars or topless dance shows due to legal restraints.

Martini bar in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
(Behind hotel Intercontinental)

Any moto driver (the local taxis) will know the famous "Martinis" has been an institution on Cambodia since the UN days.
There is no entrance fee and the place has a big half-open area with good noodle and burger shops as well as a stage with live bands most Thu/Fri/Saturdays. Further inside there is also a large dance floor with lots of friendly girls.

The bar charges USD 1 for a beer, and all costs will normally be handled in USD.

All girls are from Cambodia or Vietnam and there is no bar fine/fees to take the girls out. (They probably pay a fee in order to "work" at Martinis)

There is a short time hotel just across the street with a 5-10 USD price. Girls costs USD 10 (whether home or hotel) but expect a 1-2 USD tip also.

If you take them home for all night expect to pay USD 20.

Pros: lots, and lots of girls
Cons: none really

The following TripReport snippet is taken from 2003/12 Merlin - Spending the Holidays In Cambodia

This is the main hangout for guys like us, travelers or "tourists" as they expats call us.

MARTINI was my favorite bar because it felt like you were at a big frat party – the festive atmosphere, the wandering gals, fraternity house ambiance, and beer everywhere. It’s really laid back with a stage for the band, plastic lawn chairs and tables all over, food vendors serving great food, and an enclosed disco-dance floor where the music is prevented from interfering with the other activities. Oh, some great pool tables. The place was always hopping when I was there with the girl to guy ratio easily 3-1. LT was $20.00, there are no ST facilities that I saw.
Here's a typical Martini girl.

This place far exceeded my expectations. I will go into more detail on my report but let's just say that there are some absolutely stunning Khmer girls at this place and a couple of cute Viet girls as well. I stayed away from the Viet girls because they were a a little too aggresive and looked too young at times.

Sure there are some hardened pros here smoking cigarettes and sporting tatoos but they are the minority. I would describe Khmer girls as Thai girls on ectasy...they are so sweet. I know that girls are good actress' but my experience has given me a secret decoder ring that allows me to weed out the sweet girls in the group. As Epi has pointed out, this causes problems as the sweet girls get attached quicker and lose their minds when they get jealous.

This place has a nice split personality. The dance floor room is small and has girls dancing in the middle with elderly gentlemen sitting on each side of the dance floor staring at the girls and nursing their Angkor Beer and smoking weed. I was always the only guy on the dance floor and the girls love it because guys at this bar dont dance with the girls.

As you leave the disco, you will see a small area with some pinball type machines that the girls are addicted to on your left and pool table on your right. There is a bar in the disco and a bar as you exit the disco. Beers vary from $1 to $2.50 depending on where the beer is from and if it is in a can, bottle or draft. I prefer Beer Lao and Angkor Beer which is $1.50 a can. Your change will come in 2,000 riel and I usually leave it as a tip as most of the guys in this bar never leave a tip.

There is also a big, dirt courtyard with plastic tables and chairs to sit with your girl. There is a big screen that also plays movies. At the far end is a group of four or five food stalls that sells Khmer, Thai, Western food and fruit. I usually like to buy the girls Khmer food and I order Thai. The cost for two people is about $4.

Overall, the talent here is better than Nana Disco. The Khmer girls have diviersity of looks that even exceeds Thai girls. They are not prettier than Thai girls but they are pretty close and have big tits. The best bodies in Thailand (IMHO) come from Buriram where Khmer/Thai mix girls have small frames and big tits. The Buriram girls dont have the faces of Thai girls but they do have superb bodies.

The going rate here is $10-15 for short time or $20-25 for long time. Only the top tier girls asked for $25 but I countered with $20 and they accepted. I am not saying that all of you guys will like the Khmer girl look but I loved it and will definately return.

Martinis is easily my favorite hangout anywhere. I just love the party atmosphere and the place was teeming with talent this time around. There must have been around 50-60 girls each night I went, and NO, there were few, if any underaged girls. Some hardcore ganga action inside the discos and the food here is just delicious.

Martinis has closed. The landlord plans to build on the spot. Too bad, it was a particularly funky place.

Don't fret, they will soon move to a new location (and will probably be opened anew by the time you get there.

"Martinis has closed."

WHAT? I was planning a return trip at the end of the year and this place was high on my list.

I just got an email that indicates that Martinis just moved to a new location starting June 12, 2004. Supposedly a better place North of the Chinese embassy, the address is as follows:

"110a Street 173"

It figures it was only temporary, since the owners of the place are supposedly well connected. Also, it's just as well because the old Martinis had seen better days.

All things being equal, I would now check out cambodia.

Well that is good news indeed.

Harry

Sadly, my first trip to Cambodia, I have found that Martinis is closed.

Walkingdude2, sorry to read confirmation that Martinis is closed. The following is a post regarding the same that was posted on the Main Asia discuss section a few days ago.

"Well, to those following Cambodia or thinking about a trip to Phnom Pehn, the Martini Bar/Disco seems to be closed, some say for good. Here's a quote from a poster from another board who is there now.
`...The new Martinis is located next to a prison where they are holding Ta Mok, infamous KR figure who supposedly being held for trial. Well, the official reason is that it poses a security threat for holding Ta Mok, but unofficially it seems the MP's are having trouble sleeping at night with the loud music. This does not make a lot of sense to me, as the disco in Martinis is enclosed and it certainly is much quieter than any Khmer restaurant you would drive by.`

But apparantly, Sharkeys, Walkabout and other places seem to be picking up the slack and I hear it's jam packed. Also, when I was there last month, there were lots of new mamasan houses and guest house brothels."

Merlin,

you indicated you went to the Walkabout, but you never made much commentary. Was that your first time there? Did you spend the night?

I thought that place was excellent. Next time I'm "in the neighborhood" I may make that place my base of operations.

Seems like Martinis 3 will open soon. Here is a post from a reliable source.

"I have received information to indicate that Martinis V3 will be at No 45 Street 95 and will possibly open on the 2nd September 2004. Street 95 is the street that runs parallel and directly behind Monivong Blvrde (St 93) and runs south from Sihanouk Blvrde to the bridge."

My friend Ben Wee is checking this info out for me.

GREGORIO: I checked out Walkabout briefly my first trip and again, for a longer period, my last trip in July 04. The first time wasn't too good in terms of lookers, so I didn't stay long and didn't write up anything. The place is smaller than Martini, and, as you know, set up more like a nice bar. I liked it better the second time there (July) because they had quite a bit of hotties after 11pm this time. The bartenders were fun as well. I'll probably spend more time there my next trip.

Latest is that Martini will re-open at a new site, here's a post from some that is there now.

"There was an ad in today's Cambodia Daily that Martinis will reopen Sept. 2. The location is #45-350 St. 95. It was formerly a restaurant called 'Happy Restaurant Crocodile farm'."

OHHHH NOOOOO !! They closed the Happy Restaurant Crocodile Farm ???
There is now no reason to go to Cambodia IMO.

Martinis is officially open and I hear it's hopping like before. I'll have to go check it out for y'all soon.

No worries KM, I believe there are other croc themed restaurants in town where you can enjoy a martini, steak dinner, and a viewing of crocs munching away at anything that moves. I've got some croc pics on one of my TRs if you recall.

hmmm, time to play with my dates AGAIN. I plan on breaking my cambo cherry next month after all

Merl-- when u headin' over?

DM, great to hear you'll be checking out Cambodia. I'd recommend the driver Ben Wee to ease the transition. You'll have a blast. I don't think I can get out there next month, probably not until about late November or late December, EPI and a bunch of other guys will be in town December so I'm leaning towards going then. But if things change, I'll let you know.

If I can get decent air fares, I may be able to to take a mid-dec 1 week jaunt as well. I'll keep ya posted.

merl-- I booked a couple days in PP and shot Ben an email to confirm his servcies the last sat/sun in Oct.

I was temped to borrow a couple more days from pattaya and extend the PP portion of the trip but I figure I'll go easy on my solo cherry trip. With all that ganja, 5 dollar boom boom/yum yums, and those perky viet tits, I need to return to civilization somewhat sane ;)

I'm anticipating this venture to the wild wild east nearly more than any other trip. I can't wait!

Oh ya, what were your favorite daytime venues (for sex). The only culture I want to see resildes in one of three holes.

I'm still keeping an eye out for Dec fares-- what dates you going to be in town?

DM, lots of girls during the daytime, best thing is to get the lowdown from Ben because of the constant flux.

When I was there 2 months ago, I had a routine of going to Rua 63 (several houses with about 10 girls in the morning) around noon or going with Ben to the many different guest houses such as the Boon Pa and Come on Guest houses.

Another thing I liked to do was to take a spinner or two from Sharkey or Martini for all nighters, but before I chose the all nighters, I would get some cell #s of their friends or other's that interested me, and then have them come over the next day (you should buy them a drink and talk to them a bit though so they feel comfortable). I usually take a bunch of the hotel business cards and give it to these daytime appts (with my room number) so they can find it.

I'll most likely be out in LOS during Xmas for about a week, I'll be coordinating it with Epi and company so I'll let you know when I get my fares.

Merlin

"Epi and company"

Sounds ominous...

E

Looks like I'll have to bow out-- xmas time flights to SEA are few and far between.

"Epi and Company" sounds more than ominous, it sounds like the new world order...

Sounds superficial to me . :-)

Sounds like there will be STDs involved and salves required to me...

E

Lots of good talent there 3 weeks ago! Both Khmer and Vietnamese. $20 long time was apprerciated, although is you ask they quote $30 or $40. However many of the girls would attach themselves to you and they had to be told to go away.

Bad nieghborhood, but many moto's and Tuk Tuk's outside. The disco is small but well stocked.

Watch out fro the quasi-mamasan in the disco. This 45 y.o. Viet woman introduced me to a few girls and acted as translator. She then wanted a fee, even though I did not take any of her girls.
I finally had to yell at her and tell her to leave me alone, I didn't need her help.

Went to Martinis 03/06. Lots of Talent available. Best to start in the Bar Area and then check the Disco. Disco area is somewhat darker; however, lots of women in here as well.

money seems to go around in Martinis with the Vietnamese,when i have taken a Cambodian girl out, after taking her back to Martinis and paying her, the given money goes into her pocket,
with the vietnamese after paying her money, she then pays some money to a mamasan,then to the woman who found me her,and on one occasion one vietnamese girl payed of a vietnamese man ,for what that i dont know,was he a pimp,or did he give her family a lot of money and now she has to work to pay this money off.

Martini Bar is mentioned in 2008/08 Flyngo in Phnom Penh...Better Than Ever!

I very like this place, but it is out of the way and only good late at night so I very rarely go there. The last two times I went I got a pretty hot lady for $15 ST.

Martini Bar is mentioned in 2012/07 Bigballs - An Average Expat's Weekend in Cambodia

[Admin Note: Check-ins completed]

The Martini Bar is alive and well at the intersection of streets 350 & 91. All different kinds of girls--some really fine, some so-so. 20-30 USD for short time. If you are willing to pay more than that, the girls will just figure you're stupid and try to get even more from you. I don't recommend the Vietnamese girls. They look better than the Khmer girls,on average, but their attitude stinks and the action is pretty mechanical.

(Message edited by dpspike on May 10, 2014)