Best Rooftop Bars in Siem Reap

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Rooftop bars have become part of Siem Reap’s evening scene, offering a quieter, scenic alternative to Pub Street. Most sit atop boutique hotels in or near Old Town, with sunset hours — roughly 5:30-7pm — being the busiest and most scenic time to visit, though drink prices run somewhat higher than street-level bars, typically $4-8 for cocktails, reflecting the view and setting.

Specific rooftop bars worth the trip up

Miss Wong doesn’t have a rooftop but its sister venue Sundowner at the Mansion does, with low lighting, good cocktails, and a view over the Old French Quarter roofs — arrive by 5:30pm during dry season to catch the color in the sky before the crowd builds. Marum’s rooftop annex near Pub Street keeps things simple with cheap beer towers and plastic chairs, a deliberate contrast to the polished bars nearby, and it’s popular with backpackers watching the sunset with a $2 draft in hand. For something more upscale, the rooftop bar at Anantara Angkor Resort is open to non-guests and pairs skyline views with proper cocktails from $6 to $9 — worth the tuk-tuk ride out if you want quiet over crowds.

Best time to go and what to expect

Dry season (November-April) evenings are clear enough that the sunset is genuinely worth timing for, while rainy season (June-October) rooftop visits are more of a gamble — check the sky an hour ahead or just plan on an indoor backup. Most rooftop venues in Siem Reap don’t take reservations for casual drinks, so arriving 20-30 minutes before sunset secures a rail-side table without a wait. Dress code is casual everywhere on this list; flip-flops and a t-shirt are fine, though a few of the fancier hotel rooftops appreciate closed shoes after dark.

Rooftop bars vs the Pub Street scene

If you’ve already spent an evening on Pub Street and want something quieter, rooftop venues a few streets over give you the same easy walkability without the volume — most are within a 5 to 10 minute walk of the Old Market area. Prices run noticeably higher than street-level bars, typically $4-8 for cocktails, a trade that favors view and atmosphere over bargain drink prices.

Rooftop bars for photography

Beyond the drinking experience, several of these rooftops double as good photo spots for capturing Siem Reap’s skyline against a colorful sunset — Sundowner at the Mansion in particular offers an open view over the Old French Quarter’s low-rise rooftops that photographs well in golden hour light.

A note on happy hour timing

Several rooftop venues run happy hour specials in the hour or two before sunset, which is worth checking directly with the venue since it can meaningfully reduce cocktail prices during exactly the window you’d want to be there for the view anyway.

Rooftop bars for a special occasion

For a celebratory night — an anniversary, the end of a big trip, or simply a splurge evening — Anantara Angkor Resort’s rooftop pairs its view with a more elevated food and cocktail menu than most standalone rooftop bars offer, making it a worthwhile option when atmosphere and occasion matter more than budget.

Combining rooftop drinks with dinner

Several rooftop venues sit close enough to Old Town restaurants that a natural evening flow works well — dinner at a restaurant like Cuisine Wat Damnak or Marum, followed by a short walk or quick tuk-tuk to a rooftop bar for a nightcap with a view, gives a fuller evening than treating either as a standalone stop.

Weather contingency for rooftop plans

During rainy season, most rooftop venues have at least partial covered seating, so a sudden downpour doesn’t necessarily end the evening — but for a sunset-specific visit, checking the sky an hour or two ahead and having a covered backup bar in mind (Miss Wong, for instance, is fully indoor) avoids disappointment if clouds roll in right at the moment you’d planned to be watching the sky.

How rooftop pricing compares across the venues on this list

Sundowner at the Mansion and Marum’s rooftop annex sit at the more affordable end ($2-5 drinks), Anantara’s rooftop bar sits at the premium end ($6-9 cocktails), giving a genuine spread depending on whether the priority is an affordable casual sunset or a more polished, service-forward experience — worth choosing based on how you want the evening to feel rather than defaulting to whichever is most convenient.

Getting to rooftop bars further from the center

Anantara’s rooftop and a handful of resort-hotel bars sit a short tuk-tuk ride outside Old Town proper — expect $2-3 each way, and it’s worth agreeing the fare before getting in rather than after, since drivers waiting outside hotel rooftops sometimes quote tourist rates. Asking your hotel or the bar itself to arrange a driver for the return trip is a reliable way to avoid haggling at closing time.

Non-alcoholic options

Most rooftop venues on this list offer a mocktail menu or at least fresh juices and sodas alongside the cocktail list, so the view and atmosphere are just as accessible if you’re not drinking — worth asking directly if it’s not listed on the menu, since not every venue prints one.

Final recommendation based on what you’re looking for

For an affordable, reliable evening, Sundowner or Marum’s rooftop annex are the safest picks. For a special-occasion evening with elevated service and cocktails, Anantara’s rooftop is worth the premium. For something quieter with real character, Miss Wong’s indoor setting rounds out a balanced evening-drinks itinerary in Siem Reap.

Whichever rooftop you choose, arriving with realistic expectations for Siem Reap’s rooftop scene — genuinely good views and atmosphere, rather than skyscraper-scale drama you’d find in a larger Asian city — sets up an enjoyable evening rather than a disappointing one.

Frequently asked questions

What time is best for Siem Reap rooftop bars?

Sunset, roughly 5:30-7pm, offers the best views but also the biggest crowds; later evening is quieter.

How much do drinks cost at Siem Reap rooftop bars?

Typically $4-8 for cocktails, higher than street-level bars given the setting and views.

Do I need a reservation for a rooftop bar in Siem Reap?

Usually not for drinks alone; dinner reservations at rooftop restaurants are worth making ahead during peak season.