Your first night in Phnom Penh is easier with a starting point and room to change your mind. Riverside and nearby Street 136 make a compact plan for dinner, drinks and a later club visit. Choose the pace that suits your arrival time rather than trying to see every nightlife area at once.
Before leaving your accommodation
- Save your accommodation's name and map location for the return trip.
- Charge your phone and agree on a meeting point if you are going out with friends.
- Check the current hours, menu and entry terms of the venue you most want to visit.
- Decide how much you want to spend and leave room in that budget for transport.
Start with dinner and one area
Begin with a meal near where you plan to spend the evening. Riverside and Street 136 are close enough to combine without making your night a tour of the entire city. If you want a different atmosphere later, decide then. Our Riverside nightlife guide explains how the riverfront and nearby club area fit together.
Choose an anchor venue
Pick one place that matches what you enjoy: conversation, music, dancing or a table with friends. Charlie Chan's Club on Street 136 has free entry, two stages, live DJs, dancers and hostesses, and VIP table service. It opens at 8PM and closes at 5AM every night. The strongest dancing atmosphere is usually between 10PM and 3AM; you do not need to arrive at opening or stay until closing.
Check the bill as you go
Read the menu before ordering and ask which drinks qualify for an advertised offer. At Charlie Chan's, each order is recorded immediately and an updated customer copy of the bill remains available. Check the drinks menu and ask the team if an item or promotion is unclear. Other venues may handle billing differently.
Know the house rules
Charlie Chan's does not allow photos or videos inside. Keep cameras off so guests and staff can enjoy their evening privately. Our privacy guide explains what this means for a visit. For a table with your group, ask about availability through the club's contact channels.
Keep your return simple
Choose a clear pickup point and check the destination before starting your journey. Keep your group informed if plans change, and leave when it suits you. A good first night does not depend on staying out late: it should leave you comfortable with the area and keen to return.
Written by the Charlie Chan's Club team. The venue details describe our own club; check other businesses' current information directly.