The wait is finally over. Cambodia’s Top 30 bar Awards was recently completed with a Gala Night and award ceremony at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, revealing the Top 30 bars chosen by a selection committee comprised of professionals and subject matter experts from the food and beverage industry. 

As we know that Top 30 Bar Awards is brought from Malaysia and Cambodia is the first country in South East Asia to host the event. Cambodia’s Top 30 Bar Awards was established to recognize the best bars in Cambodia through a series of award ceremonies.

“To all the bars that participate, Congratulation, you guys are deserved to be here tonight. Your hard work and dedication are paid off and appreciated” said Alvin Sinclair, the Managing Director of Top 30 Bars. 

More than 150 bars in Cambodia were shortlisted before entering the final 50 and going through the selection process to make the final 30 list, which was judged between January to March 2023. 

At the Gala Night, there were about 400 pax participants including bar owners, bartenders, influencers, industry player, and the media, in attendance. There were performances to hype up the atmosphere, many types of alcohol were served during the event, and speech to welcome and congrats to our bar winners. 

Cambodia’s Top 30 Bar Awards is presented by HEINEKEN with other partners including Tiger and ABC, Chivas Regal and Ballantine’s, Seekers Independent Spirit, Giffard, Oh Wow Media, FoodBuzz, Elephant Bar (Raffles Le Royal), Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, and Cellier’s D’Asie.

“Thanks to Top 30 Bars team and everyone to bring this together and get the alcohol or F&B industry in Cambodia get more recognition. This will drive more responsible, sustainable and inclusive for the bars and bartenders in Cambodia” said Mr Samson Wong, Managing Director of HEINEKEN.  

Check out who are the winners (in alphabetical order):

• Amret Palace Pool Bar
• Bar Chaka Chaka
• Bar Menaka
• Bar43
• BattBong Restaurant & Bar
• Bouchon Wine Bar
• Elephant Bar
• Explorer’s Tales Bar
• Extra Lounge 456
• Groovy Room
• HighGround Sky Bar
• Juniper Gin Bar
• Khjol Lounge Bar & Café
• Le Bar
• Le Manolis
• Le Moon Rooftop Bar
• Long After Dark
• MAWSIM Distillery and Concept Bar
• MAYAZON
• Monsieur Wine & Beyond
• Prei Speakeasy
• Rukkha Sky Bar & Tapas
• Sundown Central
• The Glasshouse
• The Pearl
• The Vimean
• The Waterside
• Thmor
• YIQI
• YubNis bar & bistro

Probably thought this is it? Nope, there were another 15 Special Recognition Awards by the end of the Gala Night. So, what are those honorable bars to be a part of this Special Category Winners?

Special Recognition Awards: 

• HEINEKEN Cambodia Top Beer Bar of the Year Award 2023 – BattBong Restaurant & Bar
• HEINEKEN Cambodia Top New Beer Bar of the Year Award 2023 – MAYAZON
• HEINEKEN Cambodia Top Beer Bar Design of the Year Award 2023 – Bar Menaka
• HEINEKEN Cambodia Top Beer Rooftop Bar of the Year Award 2023 – High Ground Sky Bar
• HEINEKEN Cambodia Top Versatile Bar of the Year Award 2023 – YubNis Bar & Bistro
• HEINEKEN Cambodia Top Innovative Bar of the Year Award 2023 – YIQI
• HEINEKEN Cambodia Top Bar Team of the Year Award 2023 – Elephant Bar
• HEINEKEN Cambodia Top Sustainable Bar of the Year Award 2023 – Le Moon Rooftop Bar
• Chivas Regal Top Bar Design of the Year 2023 – Bar Menaka
• Chivas Regal Top Cocktail Bar Team of the Year 2023 – Elephant Bar
• Ballantine’s Top Standout bar of the Year 2023 – YubNis Bar & Bistro
• Chivas Regal Top Cocktail Bar of the Year Award 2023 – Prei Speakeasy
• Cambodia Top 30 People’s Choice of the Year Award 2023 – Monsieur Wine & Beyond
• Cambodia Top 30 Top Bartender of the year Award 2023 – The Vimean
• Cambodia Top 30 Bar of the year Award 2023 – Elephant Bar

Elephant Bar completed its sweep of major industry awards at the first Cambodia Top 30 Bar Awards Thursday night. The sophisticated bar took home 4 awards for Bar of the Year, Top Cocktail Bar Team of the Year, Top Bar Team of the Year and earned an award amongst the 30 bars.

We have found the best bars in Cambodia. We, FoodBuzz, know and have been to several but we hope to try all those award winners’ drinks to broaden our horizons in alcohol drinks.