While it’s not a large bar, Kiss Bar stands out primarily because it reflects the broader shift that occurred across the city during those years. What used to be a run-down, dimly lit space has been converted into something brighter and more appealing, though some things remain the same despite the facelift. New décor can only go so far in changing the overall experience.

Kiss Bar on Street 5 Kiss Bar is located on the west side of Street 5, which runs north to south and connects Street 110 to Street 118, near the riverside. In the past, this street was best known for the old La Patate restaurant, famous for its fries. These days, it’s lined with hostess bars, with Kiss being one of them.

The bar that now houses Kiss used to be a rather shabby dive. The name of the previous establishment has faded from memory, but the interior remains vivid in my mind—think of a scene straight out of a Charles Bukowski story, only without any of the poetic grunge. The few women who worked there seemed to fit right in with that bleak atmosphere.

These days, Kiss Bar looks much more contemporary. The bar stretches along the left side of the room, while additional seating lines the opposite wall. The lighting and décor have been upgraded to suit modern tastes. Of course, people don’t usually come to hostess bars for the décor, but it’s worth noting how much the place has improved from its previous state.

One of the more unusual aspects of the bar is the fact that the bartender is a young Western guy. I’m not sure what the story is behind this, and to be honest, it hasn’t sparked enough curiosity in me to find out. But it’s a rare sight, if not the only example, of a Western male tending bar in a Cambodian hostess venue. It’s certainly something you don’t see every day.

Staff and Service What’s even more unusual about Kiss Bar is that the women working there don’t quite live up to the name. I don’t mean to be harsh, but part of reviewing any hostess bar means discussing the staff’s appearance, since that’s often what draws customers in. Beauty is subjective, of course, but I can only report on what I’ve seen.

On most nights, you’ll find a small group of women working at Kiss. The best among them would rank as fairly average by most standards, while some of the others are better left unmentioned. It’s possible that the lineup could change on any given day, but I can only speak to what I’ve personally observed.

Again, I don’t want to criticize anyone who’s just trying to make a living, especially in a line of work that isn’t easy. However, the staff is the main attraction at places like this, so it’s something that can’t be ignored. If I didn’t talk about the women working here, I’d be left describing the cocktail menu. For what it’s worth, they offer a decent range of drinks at reasonable prices.

Ultimately, though, hostess bars are all about the hostesses. That’s why some rundown spots can be packed, while swanky bars with all the bells and whistles sit empty. It’s just the nature of the business. My review is simply one person’s take, meant to entertain more than anything else. What you experience might be entirely different.