Photo by Macau Photo Agency on Unsplash

Friday

What’s on the Menu

Start the weekend with a tranquil, and possibly romantic, Italian feast by the pool in the Pavilion Hotel. Chef Esposito and Blues band will keep you entertained as you dine by the gorgeous pool.

7pm, The Pavilion, St. 19

What’s On Screen

For those not looking to celebrate love, here’s a decidedly un-romantic psychological horror for you. Saint Maud is the creepy story of an impressionable young nurse who seeks to save the soul of a retired dancer in a hospice. Yup. 

8:30pm,The Flicks, St. 95

What’s On Stage

Pavel Ramirez brings some fresh and old school live music to the Box Office fro 6pm.

6pm, The Box Office, St. 244

Pros & Cons kick off the weekend on stage at Alchemy from 7:30pm. Enjoy some pop, soul and jazz from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

7:30pm, Alchemy, St 123

For those wanting to see in the Year of The Ox with some old fashioned rock n’ roll, the Hard Rock Cafe has got a night for you! Chinese New Year Tribute night kicks off at 8pm.

8pm, Hard Rock Cafe, St. 102

What’s On Late 

Sam’s Bar DJs Ben Remember,  Rektchordz  and Myriad Abstruse come together for a ‘funk, influenced house trio.’ Langton kicks off at 9pm.

9pm, Sam’s Bar, St. 460.

Dj Dalah gets the party going from 9pm at META House. The beloved French DJ rocks a many a Phnom Penh evening and will bring his deep house tracks to META House until the early morning.

9pm, META House, St 178

Epic 2 will host the late-night Chinese New Year celebrations tonight from 9pm.

9pm, Epic 2, Eden Garden

What Else?

Sra’Art Gallery presents its first ever live aerial show to celebrate Chinese New Year! Baudelaire (Mel Nutter) will be dancing in honour of the ‘Eternal exhibition’ and to bring in the Year of The Ox.

6pm, Sra’art, No 7 Sothearos Blvd

Saturday 

What’s On Screen

Celebrate Chinese New Year over at META House for an evening of Chinese short films. The mini festival is co-curated by one of the world’s largest Short Film Festivals, “Interfilm” Berlin. Find out on the night the intriguing array of films on offer. 

7pm, META House, St. 178

Pierre-Oscar Levy and Barbara Spitzer’s 1997 documentary Shadow of Angkor screens from 5pm at the Bophana Center. Shot on the Angkor heritage site, the film takes a look at Cambodia’s past and present through the history of Khmer civilisation following the war. 15 seats are available and you can book here. 

5pm, Bophana Center, St. 200

What’s on the Menu?

For those wishing to celebrate Valentines in true hedonistic, decadent style, while also waving a fond farewell to their bank balance, there is Rosé on The River. Evenementiel KH and Fat Passion host an all-you-can-drink champagne boat party and with a slap-up meal, amid live music from Ting Tong, DJ Maily and DJ Mike$. The bottomless Fine Dinner with all you can drink champagne costs $89pp, but if that seems a bit steep, you can check out some more affordable options here too. There’s also the option to buy Japanese strawberries covered in chocolate, although that’s not included in the $89 all-you-can-eat.

5pm, boat will pick up on Riverside: in front of Brown’s coffee.

Mama Wong’s is offering all you can eat dumplings for just $8.88 per person. Get down there for 2pm and catch their Chinese New Year Dragon Dance! Book a table here. 

12pm, Mama Wong’s, St. 308

What’s On Stage

Miss Sarawan will perform at Botanico from 7pm. Offering one of the most unique and vibrant voices in the kingdom, be sure to get over there if you love the classic Khmer Rock vibe. 

7pm, Botanico Wine and Beer Garden, St. 29

Little Thieves hit the stage at Alchemy from 7:30pm. Dave, Lewis, Garry and Rodrigo will bring their blend of folk with a wee hint of punk, while you enjoy cold beer and Alchemy’s signature cocktails. 

7:30pm, Alchemy, Street 123

Blues Roots kicks off at the Box Office from 7:30pm. Enjoy some of the best Blues tunes from the 1920s-1950s and some Latin and African tunes thrown in for good measure!

7:30pm, The Box Office, St. 244

What’s On Late 

Azure is hosting the cheesiest singles night in town with their Guilty Pleasure Message Party. The host, DJ and matchmaker Mariah I Don’t Fucking Carey will bring the least cool and most fun tunes from Spice Girls to The Backstreet boys. When guests arrive, you will be given a badge with a personal number, when you see someone who tugs at those old heart strings, you can leave them a wee handwritten note at the Cupid station. Doesn’t that sound like the cutest way to find love this Valentine’s Day in Phnom Penh?

8pm, Azure, St. 123 

The new kid on the (TTP) block, Sam’s bar, is hosting a night of crowd pleasing tunes. Alli G will be getting things kicked off at 9pm. Expect a big party.

9pm, Sam’s Bar, St. 460.

If you feel like the weekend is drag…ging on a bit, then get over to Blue Chilli for a Chinese New year party. The shenanigans get kicked off at 9pm and it will inevitably be one of the best nights in town. 

9pm, Blue Chilli, St. 178

The Neudrop Collective are bringing their underground beats to H Club from 10pm. Neudrop resident DJs Dalah, Shadows of Space and Garuda will bring the best Techno and House the city has to offer until the wee hours. $5 entry and definitely worth it to support the Phnom Penh club scene coming back stronger than ever. 

10pm, H Club, St. 308

What Else?

Celebrate Chinese New Year with the best view in town at Le Moon. The rooftop bar will host a traditional Lion Dance at sunset (4:30pm). Entry is free but booking is recommended.

4:30pm, Le Moon, St. 154

Cloud hosts Valentine Olympiads from 7pm. Come with your lover or with an intention to find one and compete in a series of tests to see if you should be together. Bring your A-game in karaoke, darts, video games and molky.

7pm, Cloud, Just off St. 308

Sunday 

What’s On Screen

Some kind of Heaven screens over at The Flicks from 12pm. The creepy documentary takes an intimate look at the utopian and manicured retirement communities in Florida and how life there is not always what the residents expect. 

12pm, The Flicks, St. 95

Finish off the Chinese New Year weekend in style with some classic Eastern cinema. The 1993 Chinese historical drama, Farewell my Concubine, screens from 7pm at META House. The film is essentially the  story of China joining the modern age told through the lives of performers at the Beijing Opera house in the 1930s. 

7pm, META House, St. 178

What’s On Stage

The legendary Phare Circus is (still) in town! Simply one of the greatest live performances that you can see in Cambodia. The troupe will keep alternating between two shows every Thursday and Sunday until the 28th February, but don’t leave it too late to get a ticket as they will be in demand. (Price: $10-$20. Book your tickets here.)

That’s it for this weekend! Eat, drink, flirt, remember that no means no – and for the love of god, practice safe sex. Over and out!