The Keys by Tomoka

The Keys by Tomoka is a calm, garden-style bar on Chocolate Road in Wat Damnak Village, run as an offshoot of the Tomoka Cocktail Company, which makes liqueurs, bitters and syrups. It offers a very different evening from the busy bars of the Old Market: the setting is a tropical garden with vintage wooden-house villas and a swimming pool, on a quiet side street, and the aim is to create a place where guests can unwind.

The drinks show off what Tomoka makes. The bar serves both complex cocktails and easy-drinking classics, with local flavours brought in through ingredients such as Kampot pepper tincture and Mekong aromatic bitters. If you are new to Cambodian flavours, ask the bartenders to suggest a twist on a cocktail you already know. An on-site store sells Tomoka's liqueurs, bitters and syrups, which make unusual gifts to take home.

The atmosphere suits couples, small groups and anyone who wants a relaxed drink in green surroundings after a long day at the temples. It is a good choice for an early evening drink before dinner at one of the restaurants in Wat Damnak, an area that is home to several of Siem Reap's best known kitchens. Families looking for a quiet afternoon may also enjoy the garden, though it is primarily a bar.

Opening hours are not published on the information available, so check The Keys' social media pages for current times, events and any rules on using the pool before you go. Bring swimwear only if the bar confirms pool use is available to visitors. As with all Siem Reap bars, arrange a tuk-tuk for the return journey, as side streets can be dark at night.

Chocolate Road is a short tuk-tuk ride from the Old Market, and the surrounding streets have a cluster of cafés and restaurants, including HAVEN and The Bean Embassy. Combine a visit with dinner nearby, or with a show at one of Siem Reap's evening performances, for a relaxed night out away from the crowds. Visiting in the early evening lets you enjoy the garden in the last of the daylight.