The Welsh bars which have found home and hiraeth in Cambodia

Discussions about restaurants, cafes, coffee shops or bars in Cambodia. Feel free to write any reviews you have, whether its the best burger you've had in Phnom Penh or the worse pizza in Kampot, we want to read it! Discussions about Khmer dishes are also in here, or you can leave your own. If you own a restaurant, feel free to let the expat community know about it here so that we can come check it out. Found a favorite cafe or have a place we should avoid? Tell us about it. Asian recipes & questions are always welcome.
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CEOCambodiaNews
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The Welsh bars which have found home and hiraeth in Cambodia

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

The Welsh bars which have found home and hiraeth in Cambodia
04 Jun 2023 4 minute read

It’s rare to find a Welsh themed pub or bar outside of Wales, but to find two in a far flung corner of the globe was certainly a surprise.

While Irish themed pubs and bars predominate across the cities of the world, Welsh bars have never been noted for travelling further than our nation’s borders.

The Welsh Dragon Bar in Wellington, New Zealand is one of the great exceptions to the rule, however try and name any others and you will be genuinely stumped.

That’s why discovering the Welsh bars more than 6,000 miles away in Phnom Penh – the capital of Cambodia, certainly came as a shock to traveller Kara Wildbur from Denbighshire who shared her experiences there on her TikTok account.

“It’s a street full of bars on a narrow street, and you walk down the alley and then you see the red dragon and a banner saying ‘Croeso’,” said Kara, speaking to Newyddion S4C.

“We never see things in Wales when we are traveling so it was a nice shock to see it.”

These little corners of Wales in Cambodia provide an intimate home away from home.

Bedecked with Welsh flags, maps, photographs and Welsh beer on tap, there’s also the opportunity to watch Wales play in rugby and football on the bar’s big screen – and there is always regular live music.

Travelling with her boyfriend Luke across South Asia for seven months, Kara was delighted that they spoke Welsh at the Welsh Embassy.

“The woman behind the bar was speaking Welsh to us straight away when we walked in,” she said.

“The red dragon appears everywhere in the bar and they have Welsh words for everything.

“They are trying to learn a little bit of Welsh so they put up banners saying things like ‘iechyd da’ and ‘ty bach’ instead of toilet.

“And behind the bar there is Conwy Beer and Penderyn Whiskey.”

The Welsh Embassy was opened by Welsh expats Ross Clarke and Luke Jones in 2021 and was so successful they’ve now opened a new bar, the Welsh Consulate.
Welsh Embassy and Welsh Consulate owners Ross Clarke and Luke Jones (Credit: Welsh Embassy)

The story of how Ross and Luke came to open their first bar in Phnom Penh is explained on the bar’s website.

They wrote: “We have always wondered why there are so many different establishments from different countries situated in different cities across the world.

“Our somewhat small country was rarely represented or known in many of these places. We both came to Cambodia for an adventure and that is what we found.

“Having lived all round the world, Ross always had a dream to open a Welsh pub. After meeting Luke over a game of rugby the friendship grew and later the discussion began; we must make some representation of our small country here.

“The Welsh Embassy, Phnom Penh, was the first public house here to rectify this situation. The idea was to bring a little bit of Wales to those across the sea from us and to welcome people from near and afar to experience a little bit of our culture.

“Luke, from Swansea, and Ross, from Caernarfon are here to welcome you to a place where people of all creeds meet, drink and make merriment! We are currently in our infancy and intend to expand to all corners of the globe with the idea of spreading the culture of the Welsh pub.

“What is it to be a Welsh pub? It is to be welcoming, fun, and proud. We are one of the smallest, most beautiful countries in the world, and we love to meet new people! We sing, we dance, we speak a language that few know, and we love rugby!
https://nation.cymru/culture/the-welsh- ... -cambodia/
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Alex
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Re: The Welsh bars which have found home and hiraeth in Cambodia

Post by Alex »

That is seriously cool, I never knew.
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Re: The Welsh bars which have found home and hiraeth in Cambodia

Post by rozzieoz »

Nice guys too! They really deserve to do well.
Once you've read the dictionary, every other book is just a remix.
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Re: The Welsh bars which have found home and hiraeth in Cambodia

Post by Jerry Atrick »

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2023 2:02 am The Welsh bars which have found home and hiraeth in Cambodia
04 Jun 2023 4 minute read

It’s rare to find a Welsh themed pub or bar outside of Wales, but to find two in a far flung corner of the globe was certainly a surprise.

While Irish themed pubs and bars predominate across the cities of the world, Welsh bars have never been noted for travelling further than our nation’s borders.

The Welsh Dragon Bar in Wellington, New Zealand is one of the great exceptions to the rule, however try and name any others and you will be genuinely stumped.

That’s why discovering the Welsh bars more than 6,000 miles away in Phnom Penh – the capital of Cambodia, certainly came as a shock to traveller Kara Wildbur from Denbighshire who shared her experiences there on her TikTok account.

“It’s a street full of bars on a narrow street, and you walk down the alley and then you see the red dragon and a banner saying ‘Croeso’,” said Kara, speaking to Newyddion S4C.

“We never see things in Wales when we are traveling so it was a nice shock to see it.”

These little corners of Wales in Cambodia provide an intimate home away from home.

Bedecked with Welsh flags, maps, photographs and Welsh beer on tap, there’s also the opportunity to watch Wales play in rugby and football on the bar’s big screen – and there is always regular live music.

Travelling with her boyfriend Luke across South Asia for seven months, Kara was delighted that they spoke Welsh at the Welsh Embassy.

“The woman behind the bar was speaking Welsh to us straight away when we walked in,” she said.

“The red dragon appears everywhere in the bar and they have Welsh words for everything.

“They are trying to learn a little bit of Welsh so they put up banners saying things like ‘iechyd da’ and ‘ty bach’ instead of toilet.

“And behind the bar there is Conwy Beer and Penderyn Whiskey.”

The Welsh Embassy was opened by Welsh expats Ross Clarke and Luke Jones in 2021 and was so successful they’ve now opened a new bar, the Welsh Consulate.
Welsh Embassy and Welsh Consulate owners Ross Clarke and Luke Jones (Credit: Welsh Embassy)

The story of how Ross and Luke came to open their first bar in Phnom Penh is explained on the bar’s website.

They wrote: “We have always wondered why there are so many different establishments from different countries situated in different cities across the world.

“Our somewhat small country was rarely represented or known in many of these places. We both came to Cambodia for an adventure and that is what we found.

“Having lived all round the world, Ross always had a dream to open a Welsh pub. After meeting Luke over a game of rugby the friendship grew and later the discussion began; we must make some representation of our small country here.

“The Welsh Embassy, Phnom Penh, was the first public house here to rectify this situation. The idea was to bring a little bit of Wales to those across the sea from us and to welcome people from near and afar to experience a little bit of our culture.

“Luke, from Swansea, and Ross, from Caernarfon are here to welcome you to a place where people of all creeds meet, drink and make merriment! We are currently in our infancy and intend to expand to all corners of the globe with the idea of spreading the culture of the Welsh pub.

“What is it to be a Welsh pub? It is to be welcoming, fun, and proud. We are one of the smallest, most beautiful countries in the world, and we love to meet new people! We sing, we dance, we speak a language that few know, and we love rugby!
https://nation.cymru/culture/the-welsh- ... -cambodia/
They should hire Fat Sam as FOH manager. I saw he is seeking work since a few weeks ago
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Alex
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Re: The Welsh bars which have found home and hiraeth in Cambodia

Post by Alex »

Jerry Atrick wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2023 12:15 pm
CEOCambodiaNews wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2023 2:02 am The Welsh bars which have found home and hiraeth in Cambodia
04 Jun 2023 4 minute read

It’s rare to find a Welsh themed pub or bar outside of Wales, but to find two in a far flung corner of the globe was certainly a surprise.

While Irish themed pubs and bars predominate across the cities of the world, Welsh bars have never been noted for travelling further than our nation’s borders.

The Welsh Dragon Bar in Wellington, New Zealand is one of the great exceptions to the rule, however try and name any others and you will be genuinely stumped.

That’s why discovering the Welsh bars more than 6,000 miles away in Phnom Penh – the capital of Cambodia, certainly came as a shock to traveller Kara Wildbur from Denbighshire who shared her experiences there on her TikTok account.

“It’s a street full of bars on a narrow street, and you walk down the alley and then you see the red dragon and a banner saying ‘Croeso’,” said Kara, speaking to Newyddion S4C.

“We never see things in Wales when we are traveling so it was a nice shock to see it.”

These little corners of Wales in Cambodia provide an intimate home away from home.

Bedecked with Welsh flags, maps, photographs and Welsh beer on tap, there’s also the opportunity to watch Wales play in rugby and football on the bar’s big screen – and there is always regular live music.

Travelling with her boyfriend Luke across South Asia for seven months, Kara was delighted that they spoke Welsh at the Welsh Embassy.

“The woman behind the bar was speaking Welsh to us straight away when we walked in,” she said.

“The red dragon appears everywhere in the bar and they have Welsh words for everything.

“They are trying to learn a little bit of Welsh so they put up banners saying things like ‘iechyd da’ and ‘ty bach’ instead of toilet.

“And behind the bar there is Conwy Beer and Penderyn Whiskey.”

The Welsh Embassy was opened by Welsh expats Ross Clarke and Luke Jones in 2021 and was so successful they’ve now opened a new bar, the Welsh Consulate.
Welsh Embassy and Welsh Consulate owners Ross Clarke and Luke Jones (Credit: Welsh Embassy)

The story of how Ross and Luke came to open their first bar in Phnom Penh is explained on the bar’s website.

They wrote: “We have always wondered why there are so many different establishments from different countries situated in different cities across the world.

“Our somewhat small country was rarely represented or known in many of these places. We both came to Cambodia for an adventure and that is what we found.

“Having lived all round the world, Ross always had a dream to open a Welsh pub. After meeting Luke over a game of rugby the friendship grew and later the discussion began; we must make some representation of our small country here.

“The Welsh Embassy, Phnom Penh, was the first public house here to rectify this situation. The idea was to bring a little bit of Wales to those across the sea from us and to welcome people from near and afar to experience a little bit of our culture.

“Luke, from Swansea, and Ross, from Caernarfon are here to welcome you to a place where people of all creeds meet, drink and make merriment! We are currently in our infancy and intend to expand to all corners of the globe with the idea of spreading the culture of the Welsh pub.

“What is it to be a Welsh pub? It is to be welcoming, fun, and proud. We are one of the smallest, most beautiful countries in the world, and we love to meet new people! We sing, we dance, we speak a language that few know, and we love rugby!
https://nation.cymru/culture/the-welsh- ... -cambodia/
They should hire Fat Sam as FOH manager. I saw he is seeking work since a few weeks ago
Is that the same Fat Sam who ran Fat Sam's in Koh Kong, or are there other Fat Sams? That used to be a great place, so if it's him, I hope he finds something new.
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Re: The Welsh bars which have found home and hiraeth in Cambodia

Post by Jerry Atrick »

Alex wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2023 1:54 pm
Jerry Atrick wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2023 12:15 pm
CEOCambodiaNews wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2023 2:02 am The Welsh bars which have found home and hiraeth in Cambodia
04 Jun 2023 4 minute read

It’s rare to find a Welsh themed pub or bar outside of Wales, but to find two in a far flung corner of the globe was certainly a surprise.

While Irish themed pubs and bars predominate across the cities of the world, Welsh bars have never been noted for travelling further than our nation’s borders.

The Welsh Dragon Bar in Wellington, New Zealand is one of the great exceptions to the rule, however try and name any others and you will be genuinely stumped.

That’s why discovering the Welsh bars more than 6,000 miles away in Phnom Penh – the capital of Cambodia, certainly came as a shock to traveller Kara Wildbur from Denbighshire who shared her experiences there on her TikTok account.

“It’s a street full of bars on a narrow street, and you walk down the alley and then you see the red dragon and a banner saying ‘Croeso’,” said Kara, speaking to Newyddion S4C.

“We never see things in Wales when we are traveling so it was a nice shock to see it.”

These little corners of Wales in Cambodia provide an intimate home away from home.

Bedecked with Welsh flags, maps, photographs and Welsh beer on tap, there’s also the opportunity to watch Wales play in rugby and football on the bar’s big screen – and there is always regular live music.

Travelling with her boyfriend Luke across South Asia for seven months, Kara was delighted that they spoke Welsh at the Welsh Embassy.

“The woman behind the bar was speaking Welsh to us straight away when we walked in,” she said.

“The red dragon appears everywhere in the bar and they have Welsh words for everything.

“They are trying to learn a little bit of Welsh so they put up banners saying things like ‘iechyd da’ and ‘ty bach’ instead of toilet.

“And behind the bar there is Conwy Beer and Penderyn Whiskey.”

The Welsh Embassy was opened by Welsh expats Ross Clarke and Luke Jones in 2021 and was so successful they’ve now opened a new bar, the Welsh Consulate.
Welsh Embassy and Welsh Consulate owners Ross Clarke and Luke Jones (Credit: Welsh Embassy)

The story of how Ross and Luke came to open their first bar in Phnom Penh is explained on the bar’s website.

They wrote: “We have always wondered why there are so many different establishments from different countries situated in different cities across the world.

“Our somewhat small country was rarely represented or known in many of these places. We both came to Cambodia for an adventure and that is what we found.

“Having lived all round the world, Ross always had a dream to open a Welsh pub. After meeting Luke over a game of rugby the friendship grew and later the discussion began; we must make some representation of our small country here.

“The Welsh Embassy, Phnom Penh, was the first public house here to rectify this situation. The idea was to bring a little bit of Wales to those across the sea from us and to welcome people from near and afar to experience a little bit of our culture.

“Luke, from Swansea, and Ross, from Caernarfon are here to welcome you to a place where people of all creeds meet, drink and make merriment! We are currently in our infancy and intend to expand to all corners of the globe with the idea of spreading the culture of the Welsh pub.

“What is it to be a Welsh pub? It is to be welcoming, fun, and proud. We are one of the smallest, most beautiful countries in the world, and we love to meet new people! We sing, we dance, we speak a language that few know, and we love rugby!
https://nation.cymru/culture/the-welsh- ... -cambodia/
They should hire Fat Sam as FOH manager. I saw he is seeking work since a few weeks ago
Is that the same Fat Sam who ran Fat Sam's in Koh Kong, or are there other Fat Sams? That used to be a great place, so if it's him, I hope he finds something new.
The same - he closed his place a few weeks back and was looking for work, as per a FB post on the bar's page
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