Bassac Lane: A new wave of entrepreneurs make their mark

On any given Friday night in Phnom Penh, Bassac Lane is the one area of town guaranteed to be lively well into the wee hours. Over 25 establishments make up the eclectic bar hopping neighborhood strip of Street 308. That’s where the foot-friendly alley found its origins as an entertainment destination and it now extends into smaller adjacent lanes on the outlying streets off 308. 

Many personalities add to the charm of this tight knit community, notably Thida Keo of Backstreet Bar and Sreymom Ya of Bassac Social Club. There’s also the original Norbert-Munns Brothers of New Zealand, who broke ground for the destination’s first bar, Seibur, which launched in 2013. Since then, two other locals have grown in prominence courtesy of their raising the bar standard along the Lane.

To read about the Welsh Embassy click here.

Raising the game by raising standards on Bassac and beyond

Yimmay Visith and Sok Dara are up-and-coming F&B entrepreneurs with a mission set for success and making a positive impact and contribution to Cambodia’s emerging bar scene.

Visith is the co-owner of Uniga and shared his thoughts on state of the Lane with Khmer Nights.

“Although we can’t compare the development of the bar scene in our city with neighbors like Singapore, Bangkok or even Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh has gone through its own humble changes. In terms of decor and equipment we are on the same level, but the cocktail scene is less developed.”

In answer to that, Uniga has developed a handful of unique specialty cocktails, with “Oun Saat Avey Mles” (You Are So Beautiful) having proved its signature drink. That libation features a distinct flavour that might easily escape your tongue: prahok. A staple of Khmer cuisine, this pungent fermented fish paste is extracted into liquid form and serves as the cocktail’s base ingredient.That base is then blended with whiskey, honey, citrus, ginger, one large ice cube and a wisp of a spray of prahok mist and lemon peel. The salty and tangy flavored concoction is subtle and remarkably pleasant tasting, more than one might assume at first flush with a fish flavoured cocktail.

Co-owned by business partner Pech Ponnaka, Uniga, a name given by artist Tony Real, celebrated its grand opening in late December 2021 from its location tucked at the end of the original Bassac alley. A 12 feet mural inspired by the Khmer folklore, 12 Sisters, painted by Visith covers the facade and funky abstract paintings decorate the interior walls. The reinterpretation of the Chris Ouk’s art promotes gender equality. 

Over on Street 21 lies Hub. Originally operated as a street cocktail stand near Wat Botum, the current site is a large Khmer style villa occupied in August 2018. It is owned and managed by Chbar Ampov native, Dara, a thirtysomething former Royal University of Law & Economics (RULE) graduate who hadn’t expected to venture into the bar business.

Explained Dara, “I was a banking and finance major in college and was working in the hospitality industry before contemplating my own bar. I was on the staff of a 5-star hotel for four years as a waiter, busser and dishwasher. But an opportunity came in 2017 when street cocktail stalls were popular and affordable to launch. So I took the leap.”

Dara’s 10 years of experience around the food and beverage industry has transformed Hub into one of Tonle Bassac’s most popular bar destinations. Hub, which means “box” in the Khmer language and a place where people come to gather in English, is where Dara hopes his vision can help shape the capital’s fast evolving bar scene.

The story behind the story

“We focus on creating a welcoming and friendly environment, serving flavourful and affordable Khmer street style dishes and emphasize providing quality customer service. I want to make people smile when they come to Hub and that experience starts when you first read our menu”, says Dara.

Hub offers private bookings for special events including birthday parties, company meetings or other related programming. On Wednesdays from 7pm to 10pm, a live band performs popular English and Khmer favorites.

For Visith’s Uniga, the priority was to create a space where people can relax and feel comfortable.

“People come because they support what I do, not necessarily just because of the price and quality of our food and drinks or even the occasional free shots that I offer to customers”, said Visith proudly. He added, “I think that is why I have been successful. Because I focus on developing genuine friendships with my customers.” 

His 10 years in the bar and restaurant scene started with jobs in his home province of Kampot and later, five years with Le Boutier, another Bassac Lane institution. As someone who found his feet in the hospitality business, Visith is keen to give back to the profession that has defined his identity.

“At Uniga and my bartending school, Sith Hall, I hope to train and provide support for the next generation of bartenders.”

Uniga is located at the end of the alley of the original Bassac Lane off Street 308. They are open from 6pm to 1am, Mondays to Sundays.

Hub is located on Street 21 near the intersection of Street 308. They are open from 4pm to late, Mondays to Sundays.

Phatry Derek Pan is the owner of Perfect 10 modelling agency, which you can read about here.

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