Foreign Correspondents' Club, Phnom Penh

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Foreign Correspondents' Club
The FCC (Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2011) (6659847313).jpg
Foreign Correspondents' Club in 2011
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General information
StatusUnder construction
Address363 Preah Sisowath Quay
Town or city Phnom Penh
CountryCambodia
Coordinates 11°34′01″N104°55′53″E / 11.566936°N 104.931457°E / 11.566936; 104.931457
Current tenants Foreign Correspondents' Club
OpenedJune 1993;32 years ago (1993-06)
Renovating team
Architect(s)Asma Architects (architectural design), Bloom Architecture (interior design)
Other information
Number of rooms9 (previous concept), 35 + 4 "luxury suites" (proposed new concept)

The Foreign Correspondents' Club in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, was a public bar and restaurant located along the Tonle Sap river, not far (upstream) from the confluence with the Mekong river. It is often referred to as "the FCC", or just simply "the F". [1] The actual venue is a three-story colonial-style "Mansion" building with an upstairs terrace vintage-style bar and restaurant, with a rooftop second bar area offering great river views. It closed in late 2018 and has been under renovation since. As of July 2025, the building was still standing with scaffolding around it. Although the future of the establishment is still uncertain, the below outline of a "reimagined" and seemingly two-part concept has been posted on the official FCC Collection website: [2]

"... a significant renovation is currently underway at FCC Phnom Penh, and the reopening date is to be announced in the near future. The reimagined, upscale FCC Phnom Penh, with architectural design by Asma Architecture and interior design by Bloom Architecture, will offer a modern restaurant with Atrium, Sky Bar overlooking the Bassac River, gym, swimming pool, gallery, multi-functional meeting room and 35 new, stylish guest rooms and suites. Four impressive suites, located in the French colonial ‘Mansion’, overlooking the National Museum, will offer landmark luxury in the capital."

The FCC's decor featured photos dating back to the Khmer Rouge invasion of Phnom Penh, taken by war correspondents who used to meet at the FCC.

The FCC in Phnom Penh was not a private club, like other Foreign Correspondents' Clubs around the world, but a for-profit restaurant open to the public, although members from reciprocal clubs (like the FCC Hong Kong) got a 10% discount on food and drinks. The FCC in Phnom Penh had nine hotel rooms.

They also have a hotel, restaurant and bar in Siem Reap.

Secretary John Kerry Visits the Foreign Correspondents Club in January 2016 Before Series of Meetings With Cambodian Leaders Secretary Kerry Visits Famed Foreign Correspondents Club in Phnom Penh Before Series of Meetings With Cambodian Leaders (23980698254).jpg
Secretary John Kerry Visits the Foreign Correspondents Club in January 2016 Before Series of Meetings With Cambodian Leaders

References

  1. Miller, Julie (7 March 2010). "Happy hour on the Mekong". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 19 June 2025.
  2. "Get Spellbound in "The Gem of Indochina"".