Cambodia Expats Online: Forum | News | Information | Blog

The past couple of months I've noticed some interesting trends in town. Cantina, Slur Bar, Equinox, Martini's and California 2 either have all closed or are closing soon, and there are definitely some other hot spots that I can't recall right now. Last week, the powers that be on Riverside ordered at least all bars on Str 130 and 136 to take down signs and walls between them, so the few remaining customers that these places get are now being harrassed by bored staff working at competitors next door. Loco on 130 seems, at least to me on the outside, to be the only girlie bar making money in the area. Some blocks away, I've never seen Howie's so empty as it was the last time I walked in. Howie blamed it on "being too early", but I don't know what kind of horde he can realistically expect after 11 PM.

Construction work at Kandal House on Riverside has just made the area ridiculous for visitors, and it didn't help traffic much at all when they simultaneously closed Sisowath and Str 19. These obstacles, and the traffic jams that come with it, probably don't do the already suffering establishments any favors. If they end up having to dig these two streets up again, like they had to do repeatedly on 63 last year, I don't know how surrounding venues will survive.

Meanwhile, I feel like the service levels have been steadily decreasing in the whole Riverside area. I don't want to point fingers at operating businesses but at least the dishes I order have slowly grown smaller and smaller. Smaller dishes and declined service, well needless to say I've stopped tipping and started taken my business elsewhere.

I'm seeing signs of inflation even outside restaurants and bars. Out of the blue random tuk tuk guys have become much more greedy it seems, taking me for extra long journeys hoping to score some extra dollars (or at least trying to). It's as if every driver has started charging outrageous prices, like those standing in front of Cambodiana trying to grab something extra to afford the fee of their placement. I'm talking about drivers that seem to have forgotten over night where the most popular markets are located and end up driving the wrong way for no reason.

What's going on, is anyone else seeing this? I think this is alarming even for being the beginning of the low season, I can't remember the last time I counted less than 10 customers in one night. I guess it's the beginning of the end for streets like 136 and 104.

BOFH wrote:The past couple of months I've noticed some interesting trends in town. Cantina, Slur Bar, Equinox, Martini's and California 2 either have all closed or are closing soon, and there are definitely some other hot spots that I can't recall right now. Last week, the powers that be on Riverside ordered at least all bars on Str 130 and 136 to take down signs and walls between them, so the few remaining customers that these places get are now being harrassed by bored staff working at competitors next door. Loco on 130 seems, at least to me on the outside, to be the only girlie bar making money in the area. Some blocks away, I've never seen Howie's so empty as it was the last time I walked in. Howie blamed it on "being too early", but I don't know what kind of horde he can realistically expect after 11 PM.

Construction work at Kandal House on Riverside has just made the area ridiculous for visitors, and it didn't help traffic much at all when they simultaneously closed Sisowath and Str 19. These obstacles, and the traffic jams that come with it, probably don't do the already suffering establishments any favors. If they end up having to dig these two streets up again, like they had to do repeatedly on 63 last year, I don't know how surrounding venues will survive.

Meanwhile, I feel like the service levels have been steadily decreasing in the whole Riverside area. I don't want to point fingers at operating businesses but at least the dishes I order have slowly grown smaller and smaller. Smaller dishes and declined service, well needless to say I've stopped tipping and started taken my business elsewhere.

I'm seeing signs of inflation even outside restaurants and bars. Out of the blue random tuk tuk guys have become much more greedy it seems, taking me for extra long journeys hoping to score some extra dollars (or at least trying to). It's as if every driver has started charging outrageous prices, like those standing in front of Cambodiana trying to grab something extra to afford the fee of their placement. I'm talking about drivers that seem to have forgotten over night where the most popular markets are located and end up driving the wrong way for no reason.

What's going on, is anyone else seeing this? I think this is alarming even for being the beginning of the low season, I can't remember the last time I counted less than 10 customers in one night. I guess it's the beginning of the end for streets like 136 and 104.

No business has lasted pissing time where slur used to be.

Martini is a classic "boiled frog" - its demise was inevitable.

Cantina didn't close for want of customers.

Cali2 was taken over and won't be closing anytime soon.

Equinox had its rent hiked a silly amount, and was never the hottest spot in town to begin with.

Howies place has been dying on its arse since 2011, but still makes a few quid.

130/136 police are always finding ways to fuck with business owners a few times a year, I wouldn't read anything into their shenanigans.

Never been to Kandal House, quite probably never will be.

I agree with you on shite service and staff in riverside establishments, I eat on riverside once or twice a year and its too often. Most of those poor fuckers can't make any money with rents the way they are, and it shows. Big places like Metro etc being obvious exceptions.

Less than ten customers a night? Where, your place? What business is yours?

Howie bar is always totally empty before 11 pm, and it always has been.

i have always wondered why the casket shop has not sold out on Riverside

Agree with Cam,,, Howie's traffic is 12-6 am

Jerry Atrick wrote:No business has lasted pissing time where slur used to be.

Martini is a classic "boiled frog" - its demise was inevitable.

Cantina didn't close for want of customers.

Cali2 was taken over and won't be closing anytime soon.

Equinox had its rent hiked a silly amount, and was never the hottest spot in town to begin with.

Howies place has been dying on its arse since 2011, but still makes a few quid.

130/136 police are always finding ways to fuck with business owners a few times a year, I wouldn't read anything into their shenanigans.

Never been to Kandal House, quite probably never will be.

I agree with you on shite service and staff in riverside establishments, I eat on riverside once or twice a year and its too often. Most of those poor fuckers can't make any money with rents the way they are, and it shows. Big places like Metro etc being obvious exceptions.

Less than ten customers a night? Where, your place? What business is yours?

Slur - good point, forgot place was haunted

Cantina - No, the owner said she wanted to move in. The for rent sign that she put up shortly after its closure suggested otherwise. Any idea what they're renovating there now?

Cali2 - Sundance 2, yes. Owner left the country from what I heard.

Equinox - Yes, $5000 iirc. Inflation or the classic "get outta here" tactic that landlords often use?

130/136 - I know the Bag Man is quite a hassle on the street, but this whole thing with walls and signs taken down is new. I don't know what the purpose is but it doesn't seem to attract business very well.

I'm not in the business myself, am just a happy window shopper alt bar hopper at best. Nowadays I'm counting 10 customers in total, not in any place particular. 10 was an exaggeration, I mean I barely see anybody at all inside these places. Can't remember the last time I heard somebody ringing a bell whereas a few years ago I did at least once a night.

Cam Nivag wrote:Howie bar is always totally empty before 11 pm, and it always has been.

OK, have only been a few times. When is a good time to go for seeing the crowd? The few times I've stepped in it's been a great getaway from the ordinary GSM madness, I'll give it that.

By the way anyone know what's going on with the yellow house on Sisowath/130 corner? The old bakery, if I'm not mistaken.

Cam Nivag wrote:Howie bar is always totally empty before 11 pm, and it always has been.

True story. I've had some pretty insane times in there over the years, all took place well after 11pm.

Is the venerable Martini's closing? Say it isn't so.

Otis wrote:Is the venereal Martini's closing? Say it isn't so.

Fixed that for you.

BOFH wrote:By the way anyone know what's going on with the yellow house on Sisowath/130 corner? The old bakery, if I'm not mistaken.

I've been wondering about that as well, a huge property, maybe the owner is waiting for the right time to cash in. It will be worth a shitload of money..