The Cambodian Circus Show and Pub Street Night Market

Phare’s Cambodian Circus turns an evening out in Siem Reap into a two-hour performance of theater, dance, live music, acrobatics, and contortion. It is the main event here, and the ticket also supports Phare Ponleu Selpak, the nonprofit organization that runs the show.

I like two things about this outing: the show is a lively way to encounter Cambodian performance, and the included ride from your hotel saves you the trouble of arranging transport afterward. The option to carry on to the night market or Pub Street makes it easier to shape the rest of your evening.

One consideration: the advertised market and Pub Street stops are not guaranteed to unfold as expected. A published account describes a trip that included transport to and from the circus but not the two evening stops, so confirm the plan with Bayon Tabi Tour before you go.

• The circus is the centerpiece: Expect a two-hour show combining acrobatics, contortion, dance, live music, and theater.
• Your ticket is Seat C: The package includes admission, but not a choice of other seat categories.
• Hotel transport is included: A Tuk Tuk or car takes you to and from the experience.
• The final stops are brief: The night market and Pub Street are each allotted about 30 minutes.
• The activity is private: Only your group participates, and group discounts are offered.

Phare Circus makes the evening

The strongest reason to book is Phare itself. The performance brings together theater, dance, music, acrobatics, and contortion, with the artists using those forms to tell a story. It is not simply a string of circus tricks: the mix of stage performance and physical skill gives the show more shape than a standard variety act.

The show runs for about two hours, which makes it a substantial evening activity rather than a quick add-on. You will want to leave room for it in your plans, especially if you also hope to eat and visit the market or Pub Street afterward.

Phare is run by the nonprofit Phare Ponleu Selpak. Taking in the show therefore has a charitable dimension as well as an entertainment one. The details provided do not say how ticket revenue is used, so it is best to understand your purchase as support for the organization rather than assume a particular donation amount.

The performance is described as a top modern cultural show in Siem Reap, with nightly shows. That gives you a chance to add a live arts experience to an evening that might otherwise revolve around dinner and shopping. One account of the outing specifically calls the show enjoyable and worth seeing, which matches its role as the clear highlight of this package.

The production details are not specified beyond the art forms involved. You are not promised a particular story, cast, language, or style of staging, so avoid building plans around those specifics. The appeal is the combination itself: live music, dance, circus skills, and theatrical storytelling in one ticketed show.

What your Seat C ticket includes

The package includes a Seat C admission ticket. That is useful to know before booking, since the price is tied to a stated seat category rather than an unspecified ticket. The supplied details do not explain where Seat C is located or how it compares with other categories, so ask the operator if sightlines or seating position matter to you.

Admission is listed as included, while personal expenses and tips are not. Mineral water is included, a small but welcome practical detail on an evening out. No other food or drink is listed as part of the package.

The tour description mentions a pre-show dinner at Phare Café, but dinner does not appear in the included items. Treat the meal as something you may be able to have at the café, not as a confirmed part of the $50 price. Check with Bayon Tabi Tour whether food is available and whether you pay for it separately.

Hotel pickup keeps the evening simple

A Tuk Tuk or car is included for transport, along with pickup and drop-off at your Siem Reap hotel. The provider is Bayon Tabi Tour. The transport is particularly useful after a two-hour show, when you may prefer not to arrange a ride on the spot.

This is a private activity, so only your group participates. That does not necessarily mean you have a private performance; it means the tour arrangement is for your group. Group discounts are offered, which may make the price more attractive if you are booking with family or friends. The discount terms are not specified, so ask the operator for the price for your group before booking.

The duration is approximately three hours, though the listed stops add up to about three hours: two hours at Phare, 30 minutes at the night market, and 30 minutes on Pub Street. Travel time and pickup details may affect the actual schedule. The description does not give a precise pickup time, so confirm when and where the driver will meet you.

A short visit to the Siem Reap Night Market

After the show, the planned route includes about 30 minutes at the Siem Reap Night Market. It is presented as a place to browse Cambodian handicrafts and sample street food, with a chance to spend some leisure time after dinner.

Half an hour is enough for a quick look, not a long shopping session. If you like to compare prices, browse slowly, or stop for food, you may want more time than this schedule allows. You can use the stop to get a feel for the market and decide whether you would like to return independently.

The tour description refers to a guide, but the included services specifically name transport, a driver, and the circus ticket. It does not clearly explain whether a guide accompanies you through the market. If you want guided explanations or help choosing items, check that detail with the operator rather than assume it is part of the visit.

There is also a practical uncertainty around this stop. One account of the experience says the driver provided transport to and from Phare but did not continue to the market. That does not establish what will happen on every booking, but it is enough reason to confirm the market stop before your evening begins.

Pub Street is the final option

Pub Street sits next to the Old Market and is described as the center of Siem Reap nightlife, with restaurants in the area. The tour allows about 30 minutes there, a brief chance to see the district and choose a place to continue your night.

This stop is best treated as a drop-off or short orientation, not a full evening out. A meal, drinks, or a leisurely visit would likely take longer than the allotted half hour. The tour description says you can ask to be dropped at Pub Street or the Night Market after the show, so clarify whether you can visit both or must choose one.

The planned itinerary lists both the night market and Pub Street, each for 30 minutes. The overview also describes the end-of-show ride as a choice between returning to your hotel and continuing to one of those areas. That leaves some room for interpretation. Before booking, confirm whether your specific plan includes both stops, one stop of your choice, or a direct return to your hotel.

Is $50 good value?

At $50, the value depends on what you want included. You are paying for a two-hour circus ticket, hotel pickup and drop-off by Tuk Tuk or car, mineral water, and the convenience of having transport arranged. If you would otherwise need to organize a ride to Phare and back, that convenience is part of the value, not just an extra.

The Seat C ticket is included, but the listed price does not cover personal expenses or tips. Dinner is not named among the inclusions, despite the description mentioning a pre-show meal at Phare Café. Factor in any food or purchases you plan to make, and verify the meal arrangement before treating it as part of the package.

The market and Pub Street stops could add useful flexibility, but their precise delivery is unclear. If you book mainly for the circus and included transport, the package is easier to assess. If the evening-market stops are essential to your plans, get confirmation of the route and time at each stop first.

The experience has a 4.6 rating from nine reviews. That is a positive signal, but the small number of ratings means it should not carry the whole decision. The main appeal is plain enough: a well-regarded local performance, a charitable connection, and a ride arranged for the evening.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would consider this package if you want an organized evening built around a live show and would appreciate hotel transport. It suits couples, families, and small groups who want to see Phare without planning every part of the trip themselves. Since the activity is private, your transport arrangement is not shared with another tour group.

It is also a good fit if you like the idea of combining a performance with a short look at local shopping and nightlife. Just keep your expectations realistic: the show takes two hours, and the market and Pub Street visits are short. If browsing and dining are priorities, plan to spend more time in those areas than the scheduled stops allow.

You may prefer to arrange transport separately if you want complete control over how long you stay at each place. This tour is built around a fixed performance and a roughly three-hour outing, not an open-ended night on the town. The benefit is less planning; the tradeoff is a tighter schedule.

Should you book it?

Book this outing if Phare is high on your Siem Reap list and you value having hotel transport arranged. The show is the strongest part of the package, and its mix of circus skills, music, dance, and theater gives you a different kind of evening from a meal or market visit.

Before paying, ask Bayon Tabi Tour to confirm whether dinner is included, whether the driver will stop at both the night market and Pub Street, and how much time you will have at each. If those details are clear and suit your plans, $50 buys a straightforward evening with a memorable centerpiece. If your main goal is a long night of shopping or nightlife, book the show separately and keep your schedule flexible.

FAQ

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $50. Personal expenses and tips are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The overall experience is approximately three hours. The show is listed as two hours, with about 30 minutes each at the night market and Pub Street.

What is included in the price?

The package includes a Tuk Tuk or car for transport, a Seat C Phare Circus ticket, mineral water, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Is dinner included?

Dinner is not listed among the included items. The description mentions a pre-show dinner at Phare Café, so confirm with Bayon Tabi Tour whether food is available and whether it costs extra.

Which seat category is included?

The included circus ticket is for Seat C. The supplied information does not describe the location or features of that seat category.

Is hotel pickup offered?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from your Siem Reap hotel are included.

What type of transport is provided?

Transport is by Tuk Tuk or car. The information does not specify which vehicle will be used for a particular booking.

Are the night market and Pub Street both included?

Both are listed as stops, with about 30 minutes at each. The description also presents the option of returning to your hotel or being dropped at Pub Street or the night market, so confirm your exact route with the operator.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The activity is private, and only your group participates. Group discounts are also offered.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund or change.