Loco Bar is a hostess bar in Phnom Penh with a somewhat interesting name. Sure it is no “Little Hole” like they have over in Pattaya. But it still stands out with a name that translates to crazy. Inside nothing too wild goes on but it is one of the better staffed bars around. Any place with dozens of twenty-something women in alluring clothes certainly warrants a closer investigation.
There are numerous hostess bars in Phnom Penh these days. The numbers are way up from just a decade ago when there were fewer bars. Things have toned down overall but there is now a clear divide between newer entertainment style bars and places with raunchier atmospheres. Despite the name Loco Bar is definitely in the prior category with women employed to entertain around drinks and fun.
Loco Bar in Phnom Penh
Loco Bar is located on Street 130 in Phnom Penh. It joins other places like the previously reviewed Angry Birds and Honeypot in forming a sort of new strip of adult entertainment. Just a few years ago this block was mainly empty at night. It is now home to a thriving nightlife scene. The presence of hundreds of women in tight fitting skirts helps encourage this situation.
With totally reasonable drink prices the bar is able to compete quite well. Guys who have numerous options are always likely to visit a place with plenty of pretty women around. Even if the overall staffing situation can change over time places do gain reputations.
Otherwise Loco Bar is a lot like most other bars on the strip. It is a western style bar in an Asian city. The place is kept relatively clean for a hostess bar in Phnom Penh. But guys don’t typically visit these kinds of places because they smell lemon fresh. They visit for the women. Loco Bar does have plenty of ladies inside.
Staff and summary
Loco Bar certainly has a fair share of women on staff. They can be found sitting around outside when they are not in the bar entertaining. We’re talking about dozens of women in their twenties and perhaps a handful a little older than that. They are all mostly fit and attractive. I don’t think I would throw any of them out of bed for eating crackers.
Loco Bar is another one of those places where the focus seems to be more on having fun inside the bar than out. That doesn’t mean that this is a rehash of the old Sophie’s with in-bar “samples”. It means it is more like the aforementioned Angry Birds. Some women will do barfines at some times. But more are mainly focused on making bar in the bar by entertaining and scoring salary and lady drinks.
A not insignificant number of old hands around Southeast Asia have voiced concern with the turn away from some of the wilder stuff that used to go on in the bars throughout the region. Rather than scoff at the developments I simply take them as they are. I do see the value in bars where attractive young women entertain men in exchange for payment. Millions of others do too. That’s why these bars stay in business.
Despite the nay saying and doom and gloom there continue to be plenty of places in Phnom Penh where guys can go for full service on demand. Since those places have no disappeared I see no reason to bemoan the rise of other different places like Loco Bar where guys can drink and have fun with women in different ways. They have their place in the world. As is well when there is balance. That’s why I give Loco Bar a balanced score of two-and-a-half stars. 
Loco Bar. Street 130, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Click here for a map. Open every day from 7:00 PM until 2:00 AM.
