The Welsh Embassy opens its doors with grand opening in Phnom Penh

This weekend marked the grand opening of the Welsh Embassy in Phnom Penh, but before you grab your passport and make a beeline there to claim asylum, please note that said embassy is a bar, not an actual embassy.

Being half-Welsh myself, I am all too aware of how little the wider world knows about Wales. so hearing a Welsh themed bar was opening in town? Well that seemed well worthy of Khmer Nights having a gander to see what’s what.

For the uninitiated, some may say ignorant, I wouldn’t but some might, Wales is one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom. It would be fair to say it is slightly less well known than the other three, those being England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Here’s another fun fact, Wales has a population of 3 million, all of whom love a good sing song and they even have their own language to conduct such rituals with.

But before you go thinking “wouldn’t it be fun to learn Welsh?” Keep this in mind. Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch is an actual Welsh word.

So, the cultural lesson over, on to the opening night report.

Opening night of the Welsh Embassy Phnom Penh

You know you’re onto a good thing when the actual British Ambassador, namely Tina Redshaw, comes out to cut your ribbon. Pre-ribbon cutting we were treated to some a classic Welsh choir led by owner Ross Clarks, who looked very dashing in his Welsh kilt (yeah its a thing) before it was ambassadorial speech time.

I’ll paraphrase rather than go verbatim. Tina, who isn’t Welsh, shared that she has been on holiday there and also opined that she was glad to see another British bar in town rather than just more American or Irish ones. Or words to that effect.

At which point someone then yelled “the colonies” which drew a healthy chuckle from those assembled. Ah colonialism, remember that? Something the British were “good” at. “Good” being a wildly subjective word.

Ribbon well-cut, we proceeded to seek the same fate, having been treated to a night of cheap beers, (mostly) live Welsh music and even Welsh Rarebit to snack on. That dish is basically melted cheese on bread but it’s how you melt it and which cheese you melt don’t you know.

The Welsh Embassy Phnom Penh vibe?

Located in a trendier part of town and set directly opposite Bassac Lane Social Club, the Welsh Embassy boasts a great location. The bar itself is fairly small though and even given its two floors, it’s pretty much at capacity at 30 patrons. Think cosy.

Decor-wise the bar is very British pub-like, but there’s added ambience that includes Welsh flags and a mural depicting all that is great in Wales. And yes, it does include sheep. Important pillar of the Welsh agri-economy so get your mind our of the gutter you cheeky buggers.

Drinks here are extremely well-priced with a Cambodia draft setting you back a mere $1.25. And with events such as Welsh singalong happy hours and the imminent arrival of real Welsh beer this bar is absolutely worthy of further visits by yours truly and warrants your patronage as well.

In the long run quite how much a splash a Welsh themed bar will have here is anyones’ guess. But for the time being, Phnom Penh now has a place that celebrates and promotes Welsh culture, almost like an embassy when you think about it.

You can check out the Welsh Embassy Facebook here, or better yet go in for a wee drink and a bit of Tom Jones.

	Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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