Once again, this weekend you have plenty to choose from. There’s wine tastings, jazz nights, live music of every kind, guest bartenders and mixologists, lingerie parties (yes, really) and the return of the goddamn excellent Kampot Playboys.

Friday

What’s On Stage

Friday Night Music, 6:30pm, Botanico at Odom, Norodom

Kick off the weekend with some 1920s vibes as Broken Cymbal take the stage.

Disco Inferno, 7pm, Juniper, St. 130 (12th floor)

Watch the best view of the sunset in town with a happy hour flowing from 5-8pm as DJ Sound Advice gets a banging party started on the roof. 

Miserable Man, 9pm, Backstreet Bar, St. 308

For a truly unique musical experience tomorrow get down to Backstreet for Miserable Man. This one-man band from Italy, brings a blend of Ska, Reggae and Roots compositions.

Jazz Night with Boho Project, 6pm, Sofitel, Sothearos

Enjoy a night of incredible music from the Boho Project and to help with those Sofitel prices there is a buy one drink, get one free offer. 

Original Artist Showcase III, 9:30pm, Sunset Boulevard, St. 460

Damani, Cove, Gaby and Joshua be showcasing some of their original work and sharing a little about what’s behind their music. It’s $5 entry and a chance to support some local live music. 

Kampot Playboys are Back, 10pm, Oscars On The Corner, corner of st 13 and 104

This will be the big one tonight. Absolute legends the Kampot Playboys will bring a smile to any live music fan this weekend. Expect a raucous singalong from die hard fans. By which we mean the What’s On Phnom Penh team.

What Else

Food and cocktail pairing with Mr. Ohba, 6-8pm, MAWSIM, St. 108

MAWSIM welcomes the award-winning mixologist, Mr. Ohba, all the way from Japan to usher in a night of hedonistic tasting. For $60 you get 8 courses of food paired with 5 cocktails by the visiting mixologist. You don’t even need to book with a ‘walk-ins welcome’ policy – and it’s on both Friday and Saturday, so you have two chances to indulge.

Phnom Penh Oktoberfest, 4pm-2am, The Factory, National Road 2

It’s okay, you aren’t the only one who just looked down at your calendar. It is indeed November and as some of you celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend and others (me) are counting the days until Santa comes, others will choose to celebrate… Oktoberfest. Perhaps it’s a copyright thing? Well, anyway it looks great. The festival runs until Dec 4th and tonight will have the Oompapazz Band and the legend that is DJ Shagzy. Tickets are $7 including a Hanuman beer and you can either get them on the door or book here. 

Asia Wine Fair, 2-5pm, Rosewood Hotel, Monivong

Why not take the day off work and treat yourself to an afternoon of over-indulgence? Well, there are probably many reasons. But, if you do, then $65 per person get you a lovely day of canapés and the chance to sample these fine and fantastic wines: 

• Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion
• Château Beau-Séjour Bécot
• Château Gruaud Larose
• Château Ferrière
• Château Haut-Bages Libéral
• Château Durfort-Vivens
• Château Montrose
• Château Duhart-Milon

Saturday

What’s On Stage

Festive Cheer with Eden Garden and Musica Felice, 5:30-7pm, Eden Garden,Sangkat Srah Chak

Feeling a wee bit festive and also want to give a little to charity? Well, do we have the charity concert for you! Festive Cheer will be raising money for Mercy Village school with $12 tickets available from Eden garden mall or Palace Gate Hotel. 

Havana Nice, 9pm, Backstreet Bar, St. 308

Get feisty down at Backstreet with some hot and steamy Cuban fever, followed by the one and only DJ Moto bringing the most loved hip hop and RnB direct to the dance floor until the wee hours. 

Kampot Playboys, 10pm, Sam’s Bar, St. 460

Yaaas, encore! The boys return to play another night – but this time it’s at Sam’s Bar in TTP.

What’s On Late 

Lingerie Night and DJ LILO:P, 9pm, Redroom, St. 214

It’s getting hot out there, so why not take off all most of your clothes? Get down to Redroom for what will almost certainly be the sexiest night this weekend. Great music, drinks and an open invitation for anyone (yes, anyone) feeling frisky to dressed up (down?) in their finest lingerie. Reserve a table spot now by messaging them directly through Facebook or calling 096 533 3334.

What Else

Phnom Penh Gin and Tonic Festival, 11am-10pm, Odom, Norodom

Ooh, lovely! There’s a gin and tonic festival this weekend. Fever Tree always put on a great event and will showcase over 160 local and international brands at their bar with some great food options all day long in the closest venue Phnom Penh has to a garden party: the rare green space of Odom Park. 

Phnom Penh Oktoberfest, 4pm-2am, The Factory, National Road 2

In today’s Oktoberfest festivities there is a great range of live music from the beer-loving Germans. A concert performance kicks the night of steins off with Vin Vitou and Ruthko, then a house DJ, one Miserable Man, Blind Khmer Band and then La Union. You can also expect late night some tunes to dance off the impending beer belly.

Meraki’s Final Party, 2pm, Meraki, Kampot

DISCLAIMER: Okay, it’s not actually in Phnom Penh, but Meraki has been so loved by so many Penh heads that is worth a mention. If you happen to be heading down Kampot way, and you love dogs, kayaks, beautiful nature, a broad variety of substances and a very good time, get yourself down to say goodbye before it’s gone for good. 

World’s Best Bar at Sora, 8pm, Sora Skybar, Rosewood, Monviong

Every month Sora partners with the World’s 50 Best Bars to host a leading mixologist to serve up creative drinks for the evening. Giacomo from Paradiso, a Barcelona bar named world’s best in 2022, will be here on Friday and Saturday, blending up something special. 

Sunday

What Else

Oktoberfest 4pm- -2am, The Factory, National Road 2

Entertaining you along with your beer today will be Yab Moung Crew Showcase. Plus, Sunday-Thursday is free entry!

Anime Festival, 12pm-9pm, Friends Future Factory, 

Anime lovers, cosplay aficionados and nerds in general: your time has come. Activities available include: cosplay games, a fashion show, a talent show where the winner will become the new F3 Mascot, live online gaming stations, a lip sync challenge, live music from national and international artists, a K-Pop dance show, drag performances, DJ sets of both K and J pop. Anime pop up shows, Manga and Anime book staples, bubble teas, shakes and other drinks to put bubbles in, booze, Japanese, Korean and Cambodian food, mochi/ice cream station, make-up and nail bars, and a cosplay selfie photo booth. It has also been made clear that cosplay changing rooms will be available, or perhaps, at least, something pretending to be a changing room.

That’s all for now, Penh Pals