It is my firm belief that Broken Bricks is the art installation of the 21st Century. Broken bricks is a mirrorball to Phnom Penh's ever-evolving chaos. Brickman, the artist, is perhaps the most astute social commentator it has been my privilege to meet. If you like your martinis shaken, and stirred, drop in for a drop of street philosophy, if you're lucky.
Broken Bricks is one of the greatest bars in the world.
ps. I had the idea at one time -but I blew it- to position a time-lapse camera perched overlooking Broken Bricks, and I'll kick myself forever after for not doing so. Broken Bricks is art!
Broken Bricks
- Falcon Randwick
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Stopped in once a few months back. Interesting experience. I was driving by and saw the unique appearance of the place and a lone barang (not the owner) sitting out front drinking, so I thought I'd have a look. As I parked a lady boy (a butt-ugly one at that) came rushing out of the place and proceeded to 'help me' off my moto and guide me toward the door. She was a bit too animated and aggressive for my comfort, but no big problem. I went in, was kind of impressed with the unique decor, sat at the bar and ordered a beer from a rather bored looking girl behind the bar. The butt-ugly lady boy sat down next me and proceeded to rattle off the standard list of tourist questions in a raspy voice, "what's your name?, where you stay?, what country are you?, etc?, etc?", while touching my arm and scooching closer. I didn't really want her there, and was trying to be polite about moving away from her, but she didn't seem to be getting the message, when the lone barang who had been sitting outside walked up, got between me and her and started into her in a loud voice, "Leave the fucking tourists alone you pathetic old cow. You really are pathetic, you know that? Hanging on tourists like that. Move! Go!" She moved a couple of stools down. He sat down, ordered a beer, looked at me and, without prompting, went into a monologue about "the Khmers...the lazy, racist, stupid, ungrateful, hypocritical, violent Khmers..." He went on and on. I tried to insert a couple of comments, but he'd have none of it, even getting a bit puffed up and threatening in response to my comments. I shifted in my chair as if I was looking to leave, which also seemed to upset him. So I just shut up, drank my beer and listened. I asked how long he'd been here, figuring that it would normally take years to get that bitter about a place. "Four months" he said. I didn't know how to respond, so I tried changing the subject. It was like 11PM and there was some little long-haired barang kid running around the bar, which struck me as a bit odd because of the hour if nothing else. So I asked "Who's the little girl?" Everything screeched to a stop. Everybody went silent and all eyes were on me. It was like I just let out a big noisy fart in an elevator or something. The girl behind the bar looked up the stairs as if she was checking for something, looked back and said, "He's a boy. Not a girl. Please don't let him (glancing up the stairs) hear you say that." It was dark, the kid had long hair, I didn't know, but I just apologized and decided to go back to being silent. It was safer. I was just about done with my beer when the guy who had been ranting about Khmers seemed to sober up and said he was sorry for his earlier comments, told me it had been a bad week and please don't be put off. I just smiled and shrugged, paid my bill, gave a little tip to the bartender, said a pleasant goodbye to all and left. I've never been back. It really is an interesting place. Just a bit too interesting for me.
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- Falcon Randwick
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I think the real point behind Broken Bricks is that it is different every time you visit. It's not only the decor which makes up the "art" in this unique performance installation.
BTW fopro, Brickman's boy (whose name escapes me) doesn't look so much like the feral kid from Mad Max 2 anymore. Apparently he woke up one day and asked to have his hair cut, it had always been his decision to keep it long. He's about the smartest kid I met in Phnom Penh, and a great little actor.
BTW fopro, Brickman's boy (whose name escapes me) doesn't look so much like the feral kid from Mad Max 2 anymore. Apparently he woke up one day and asked to have his hair cut, it had always been his decision to keep it long. He's about the smartest kid I met in Phnom Penh, and a great little actor.
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I also think Broken Bricks has a place in Phnom Penh. David clearly has some Demons, but he has always been a reasonable host to me. Unlike a few other bar owners. Heng, his son, can be very entertaining. I bought him a Christmas present and he couldn't contain his happyness.
I like going there late afternoon early evening, with an empty bladder. Even the improved toilet is to be missed. You can occasionally play street soccer with a few of the kids. You miss some of the more extreme customers earlier in the evening.
I like going there late afternoon early evening, with an empty bladder. Even the improved toilet is to be missed. You can occasionally play street soccer with a few of the kids. You miss some of the more extreme customers earlier in the evening.
- Falcon Randwick
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Heng! Thanx for reminding me. Last time I saw him, he'd begun taking photographs of all the tourists who take photos as they walk by - but who never come in for a drink! That drives Brickman wild, so Heng decided to get his own back on them. Genius!
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- Starving Pelican
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I would say the best way to describe broken bricks is 'intense'. it is a personalised lair which oozes a billion times more character than almost any other bar i've ever been to. when you are in there, you feel slightly disconnected from the outside.
this vibe it gives off is certainly not for everyone, however in the two times i have been there i have quite enjoyed it. dave is always up for a chat with his customers and makes you feel very welcome. his son is a friendly young chap with a maturity beyond his years.
this vibe it gives off is certainly not for everyone, however in the two times i have been there i have quite enjoyed it. dave is always up for a chat with his customers and makes you feel very welcome. his son is a friendly young chap with a maturity beyond his years.
- Starving Pelican
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- Starving Pelican
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