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Not Luxe ☼ Travel
  • ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL
  • WHY “NOT LUXE”
  • Cambodia
  • Australia
  • Travel
  • Teaching ESL
  • Move Abroad
  • Travel Insurance

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    The 9 best places to go out in Phnom Penh | Phnom Penh nightlife

    Nightlife in Phnom Penh?! The Best 9 Places to Party

    by Nick & Raychel May 6, 2019

    Nightlife in Phnom Penh

    Being the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh has a lot to offer. The best part about it? The Phnom Penh nightlife is relatively underrated. PP is constantly developing, which means great new bars and events popping up in different areas of the city.

    When we first moved to Phnom Penh, we thought all it really had to offer was the riverside. After one night out on the riverside, we quickly realized it wasn’t really for us. Luckily, we kept trying, and soon we found some really great spots around the city that we would return to again and again. Now, we’re sharing those finds with you.

    Let’s get into it.

    1. Bassac Lane 

    Tucked away into what seems to be a quiet residential neighbourhood is Bassac Lane, a small alley tightly packed with lively bars. Every micro-bar in this narrow alleyway is owned by the same pair of brothers, and believe us when we say they are pretty damn smart. Each bar has its own theme and some really great drinks.

    On Friday nights, you can expect live music which brings a whole new level of liveliness (yes – dancing) into the lane. Bassac Lane is a great alternative to the sometimes-questionable riverside and can offer some great (still inexpensive) cocktails and class any evening of the week.

    Address: St 308, Phnom Penh 12301, Cambodia

    2. Top Banana

    Backpackers, unite. Top Banana is the ultimate backpacker bar in Phnom Penh. Located on Street 278, Top Banana is open late and offers everything a backpacker bar should. Get there early to snag one of the big couches and grab one of their daily drink specials. The staff will be sure to entertain you and you may even make some new friends.

    However, just make sure to not drink too much, as you’ll have to climb down the steep staircase on the way home.

    Address: 9E, St 278, 12302, Cambodia

    3. Club Love

    Once you’re tired of lazing around on the couches at Top Banana, head directly across the street to Club Love for some dancing. Club Love is probably one of the most popular places in Phnom Penh for nightlife, so the cover charge and drink prices will reflect this. That said, if you’re looking for a club vibe in PP, this is certainly the best place to go.

    Address: Street 278 រាជធានី​ភ្នំពេញ, 12302, Cambodia

    4. Sundance Inn & Saloon

    Ok, we know we said we avoid partying on the riverside but we had to slide this one in there. Sundance has two locations and we much prefer the one on Street 172 – just saying. This bar has it all – for instance, $1 beers, cheap eats, good music, a decent pool table and a swimming pool. We love the vibe here and the pool table isn’t *completely* torn to pieces, therefore placing Sundance a level up from other bars in the area. The best part? Cam’s Burrito’s and Thai Me Up are two amazing street food carts, and they’re parked right outside 24/7.

    Address: 61 AB street 172, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    5. Blue Dog

    Your typical dive bar without the sketchy people that come along with it. If you’re into a young, divey, unpretentious place to dance, smoke & drink, this is your spot. Between the cigarette smoke and the loud music, this bar isn’t exactly family-friendly. However, it sure is a rowdy time if you’re looking for one.

    Address: No. 13, Street 51 (Pasteur), Sangkat Boeung Keng Kang 1, Khan Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh 12302, Cambodia

    6. Score Bar

    If you like to play pool and watch sports, this will be your favourite spot in Phnom Penh. Equipped with a giant projector-style screen (we’re talking HUGE) and theatre-style seats, you can catch almost any live game at Score Bar. In this super American bar, you can grab a beer tower, nachos and wings and play on some of the nicer pool tables in all of Cambodia.

    Address:  #5 street 282, Wat Lanka Phnom Penh, 12302, Cambodia

    7. Showbox

    Music lovers and art buffs gather at Showbox every Wednesday night for the weekly open mic night. This is a true open mic where you will hear everything from slow indie to Khmer pop to punk rock to slam poetry. In this spray painted, grungy, homey space – you can grab a beer for $1 and a glass of wine for $2. If you like music, dancing and mingling with other artists, look no further.

    Address: 11 St 330, Phnom Penh 12151, Cambodia

    8. Zeppelin Cafe

    Tucked at the back of this walk-up old school bar is Jun Rockwell with a quiet demeanour and a badass vinyl collection. We’re telling you – he has everything. This no-frills bar has only what you need. That means retro furniture, cheap cocktails, $1 dumplings, a pool table, and rock n’ roll. Every Sunday night, you can even rock up to this bar to hear it all live.

    Address:  7 St 278, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

     

    9. Jet’s Container

    If you’ve spent some time in southeast Asia, you’ve probably noticed how popular these containers have become in the recent years. Jet’s Container is no different. Our favourite part about this place? It is swimming with locals into the late hours of the evening. That means you can see what real Phnom Penh nightlife is actually about. Food, shopping, music, lots & lots of beer … in conclusion, you’ll surely have a good time at this lively container.

    Address: National Assembly Street, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    —

     

    Not too hungover for a day trip the next day? Did you know Phnom Chisor is a sister of the Angkor Wat temples? Find our tips on taking a day trip to Phnom Chisor here.

     

    Haven’t booked your accommodation yet? Confused on where to stay? Find out what our favourite areas are here.

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  • 15 Things To Do in Phnom Penh: A Visitor’s Guide

    by Nick & Raychel March 29, 2019

    Wondering what to do in Phnom Penh? We’ve been lucky to call this place home, and we believe it is WAY more than a layover city. Want to know why? Here’s our list of activities that will get your heart pumping for PP.

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Nick & Raychel
Nick & Raychel

In 2018, we sold everything we owned and moved to Cambodia to teach English.

Let’s make this clear: this journey didn’t start with money. This journey started with a desire to see the world and to do something different for a change.

We’re not going to fool you with photos of floating breakfasts and private jets. We know what it’s like to be on a budget. Although we like to take pretty pictures, we aren’t going to wake up at an ungodly hour to give you unachievable travel jealousy. We aren’t going to censor ourselves or lie to you.

What we are going to do is stay in cheap hostels, find ways to make money, give the advice that we would want to hear, and share our experiences with you honestly.

Are you in?

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ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL

About Us Hi! We’re Nick & Raychel, the Canadian travel couple behind the brand ‘Not Luxe’. Far before we were married (and on a mission to see the world), we were working…

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  • Working to TRAVEL✈️🚐

If you’ve been following along with our vlogs and stories, it will come as no surprise to you when I say that our days are long right now. When we chose to start travelling, we signed up for a work-save-travel-repeat cycle and have been living in for the past 4.5 years. 

We chose this life.
But we still get tired. 

And between fixing up the van, preparing for our next adventure and working full time in that Southern Ontario heat - it’s a lot. But our minds are set on travel, on exploration, on adventure, culture, and learning. So we adapt to the seasons and understand that this point in the cycle is  just that - a season -  and we are so damn grateful to be doing it together.

📍 Traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas.
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Tags: #notluxe #worktotravel #travelcouple #vanlifecouple #traveldiaries #vanlifediaries #travelgram #livetoexplore #vanlifeculture #budgettravel #worktotravel #traveljobs #travelblogger #vanlifestyle #vanliving
  • **CLOSED** GIVEAWAY!! 🎉

We are giving away a Bluetti EB70 portable power bank. Having a power station on hand is a sweet backup for those who are already set up completely for off-grid living and/or a good start for weekend campers looking to try out van or camper van life. We are stoked to have another way to work outside, charge more appliances and get out adventuring.

The winner will win ONE Bluetti EB70 power bank & charging cables. 

Specs:
• 716Wh capacity and 800W rated wattage
• The ultra-stable LiFePO4 battery chemistry,2500+ life cycles
• 4*110V AC outlets, 2*100W PD ports, 2*5V/3A USB-A ports, 2*regulated 12V/10A DC outputs, 1*12V/10A car port,1*15W wireless charging pad.
(Note: does not come with solar panels)
-

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Like this post 
2. Must be following @nickandraychel & @bluetti_official
3. Tag a friend in the comments below (more tags = more entries)
4. Bonus entry - share this post to story for 5 extra entries! 

Open to USA & Canada residents. Giveaway closes on June 22, 2022. 
Winner will be announced on 06/25/22. 

-

Disclaimer: No purchase necessary. Giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram.

The contest period will run from 06/15 to 06/22 2022.

— 

Tags: #vanlifecouple #vanlifeing #notluxe #vanlifediaries #vanlifegiveaway #campinggiveaway #campervan #vanconversion #camperliving #tinyliving #tinyhomeonwheels #tinyhomes #vanlifenewbie #vanlifers #livinginavan #livingoffgrid #offgridliving #vanlifedreams #travelinspo
  • Slowing down 🚐 

The whole appeal of van life and many alternative living options is the freedom to take a go at your own speed.

But sometimes it feels like you just want to see it all.
And we’ve seen SO much in the past twenty months. 

Especially in the past six.

As Canadian travellers, I find that our slow season is the opposite of others. We escape the cold weather and have been abroad for many Christmases and snowfalls. During those times, we’re cliff jumping, waterfall hopping, cruising, skatepark hunting, friendship building…

Then, when lake season rolls around we’re ready to take on a more conventional work schedule, to save up to do it all again.

But we have to tell ourselves to relax, to enjoy the downtime, to take in the peaceful moments just as much as the epic ones. To soak up the sun, to drink water, to slow down.

It’s a constant learning process.

📍Traditional Hohokam, Patayan, and Yavapai land ⁣

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  • But how do you SHOWER? 😅

This photo is from the most ridiculous YouTube thumbnail we’ve had to date. We took so many funny photos this day, we couldn’t NOT share. Or maybe we could. Oh well.

But let’s answer the question while we’re at it.

🚿 We primarily go to Anytime Fitness which is a little pricier than Planet Fitness. In our opinion, however, the equipment is way nicer, there are usually less people, they’re all over Canada & the US, it’s open 24/7, and the showers are private.

🚿 When we’re not near an Anytime Fitness (this has only happened one time when we were in Quartzsite), we find a truck stop shower to go to.

🚿 And that’s about it. We bought a camping shower at the beginning of van living and only used it one miserable time.

Do you think a shower is necessary in a van build?

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  • We have been doing so much stealth city camping lately that we felt like we needed a break. When we first moved into our van, we set off to Vancouver Island, where we were constantly surrounded by nature - and even though we had no idea what we were doing, it was just easy to be outside.

As you guys know, we’ve lived all sorts of van life. From brick & mortar jobs, to off-grid living, to city dwelling, to full-time travelling. Lately, we’ve seen A LOT of cities and while we’re grateful to have covered so much ground, we knew we needed nature. 

So we nestled ourselves into Starved Rock State Park and reset.
Full video is on YouTube. Link in bio.

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Tags: #vanlife #vanlifecouple #vanlifediaries #vanlifers #vanliving #ambulanceconversion #vandwelling #vandweller #camperlife #campervan #camperconversion #campingbackpack #campinglife #campingtrip #illinois #starvedrockstatepark
  • “The life you have led doesn’t need to be the only life you have” – Anna Quindlen

I can’t imagine committing to being the person I was 5 years ago for the rest of my life. I can’t imagine committing to one mindset or one way of life. 

It would be impossible to put into words how much we’ve changed through travel and meeting people. And as we start to hype ourselves up for our next big journey, we’re excited to dive head first with an open mind. 

Whether you’re building a van, starting a new job, buying a plane ticket, or even walking out of the house every morning - you have no fucking idea what’s in store.

Travel has a special way of changing you. 
And the best thing you can do is allow it. 

📍 Traditional Kumeyaay land
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