Mad Monkey Hoi An Pub Crawl-Free shot on arrival at each bar

Hoi An’s $9 Mad Monkey pub crawl is built for one simple purpose: get you from a backpacker bar to three late-night venues without making you plan the route yourself. You start with happy-hour deals, collect a singlet, and follow the group to UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar.

I like the low price and the included bus, since taxis and last-minute rides can add up after midnight. I also like the social setup: a Jägerbomb, a free shot at each stop, and a ready-made group make it easy to meet people quickly.

The main caution is organization. A crowded bus, a long wait between stops, watered-down drinks, or a delayed departure could take the shine off the night, so I would treat the schedule as flexible rather than exact.

Key points to know before you go

• The night begins at 8 PM: Meet in the Mad Monkey Hoi An bar area during happy hour, with the main departure listed for 11 PM.
• Three named venues are planned: UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar each form part of the route.
• Your fee covers more than entry: You receive roundtrip bus transport, a guide, a Mad Monkey singlet, a Jägerbomb, and one free shot at each venue.
• The route ends around 2 AM: You can take the bus back to Mad Monkey or continue elsewhere on your own.
• The price is hard to beat: At $9, the package can offer good value if all transport and stops run as planned.
• Expect a social, alcohol-focused night: Comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, and no large bags are the practical choices.

What the $9 price really buys you

At $9 per person, this is not a premium cocktail tour. It is a low-cost night out that bundles the small expenses that often make independent bar hopping less simple.

You get a guide, roundtrip transportation from the meeting point, a Mad Monkey singlet, a Jägerbomb, and a free shot at each venue. If you visited three places independently, even modest drink purchases and late-night transport could approach the tour price quickly.

The value depends on what you want. I would book this for the social framework, not for carefully made drinks or a polished club program. You are paying for a group, a route, transport, and a little nightlife momentum.

The free shots also need a practical reading. They are part of the admission package, but they do not mean every drink at every bar is included. Bring enough money for anything else you want, and pace yourself because the night begins with alcohol before the club stops.

The overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 from 23 ratings suggests a generally workable experience, but not one without rough edges. One especially important issue is the possibility of an overloaded bus. That matters more than it might sound after midnight, when you may be tired, carrying a drink, and ready for a little personal space.

Starting at Mad Monkey Hoi An at 8 PM

The official meeting time is 8 PM in the Mad Monkey Hoi An bar area, during happy hour. This gives you a chance to arrive early, find the group, and take advantage of the bar’s deals before the main route gets moving.

The start is also where the event’s social side matters most. You are expected to wear the Mad Monkey pub crawl singlet, which gives the group a shared look and makes it easier to spot other participants. The singlet is included, so you do not need to prepare a special outfit.

The schedule lists an 11 PM departure from Mad Monkey. That means the first three hours are not a nonstop procession between bars. They function as a warm-up period, with drinks, introductions, and happy-hour time at the starting venue.

That can work well if you want a relaxed beginning. If you expect to be visiting several places soon after 8 PM, it may feel slow. I would arrive with the right expectation: the formal route starts later, and the opening hours are part of the social gathering.

A Jägerbomb is also included. Since the night has a late finish, I would eat beforehand and alternate drinks with water when possible. The package is generous for the price, but the alcohol begins early and continues across several stops.

Walking to UNO Bar for the first free shot

After the opening period, the group walks to UNO Bar. This first move is on foot, so comfortable shoes are more useful than dress shoes or anything that pinches.

UNO Bar is the first planned stop and the place where you receive your first free shot of the night. Spending about an hour here gives the group time to settle into the evening before moving on.

That first bar has an important role in the whole night. It is the point where the group moves from meeting and drinking at the hostel into a proper bar route. If you are traveling alone, this is likely the easiest moment to introduce yourself to people, since everyone is still getting organized.

You should also keep your expectations measured. The supplied information does not promise a particular music style, cocktail menu, or entertainment program at UNO Bar. The appeal is the stop itself, the shared shot, and the group atmosphere rather than a guaranteed signature performance.

One concern is timing. The plan allows about an hour at the venue, but nightlife schedules can shift. Keep your phone, money, and essentials with you, and listen for instructions before the group leaves.

Taking the bus to Velvet Club

After roughly an hour at UNO Bar, the group boards a bus for Velvet Club. This is the part of the package where the included transport has the most practical value. You do not need to work out a late-night route or gather everyone for separate taxis.

The bus ride also creates the first real pressure point. Capacity may be tight, and an overloaded bus has been reported as a problem. If personal space matters to you, this could be frustrating. If you are mainly looking for a cheap, shared ride with other people, the crowded setting may feel like part of the group format.

At Velvet Club, you receive another free shot before spending about an hour inside. This stop shifts the evening toward a nightclub setting, with more emphasis on music and dancing than on simply sitting with a drink.

The supplied plan does not give a guaranteed music schedule or name a particular DJ. That is worth noting if you are choosing the crawl for a specific club sound. You are being taken to a named nightclub, but the exact feel can change from night to night.

I would keep your bag small and easy to hold. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and a crowded dance floor or bus is not the place for bulky belongings. Comfortable clothes also make more sense than formal wear.

Finishing at Why Not Bar

The final planned stop is Why Not Bar. From Velvet Club, the group walks to this venue, where another free shot is included before you head inside.

This last leg gives the evening a simple rhythm: bus to the club, then a walk to the final bar. It also means you should be ready for another short transfer late at night. Keep your shoes practical, especially if you expect to remain out after the scheduled return.

Why Not Bar is not described with a set program or special attraction, so I would see it as the final group stop rather than a must-see venue in its own right. The value comes from ending the organized route somewhere with the group, having the included shot, and deciding what you want to do next.

At about 2 AM, you can take the bus back or continue to another location. That flexible ending suits people who want a defined night but do not want to be forced to stop when the formal crawl ends.

You should clarify the return instructions with the guide before leaving the last stop. The tour ends back at the meeting point, but the night may not feel finished if you still have energy for another bar.

How reliable is the schedule?

The advertised sequence is clear: 8 PM meeting, 11 PM departure, about an hour at each major stop, and a return around 2 AM. In practice, you should allow for changes.

A delay of 20 minutes can become much longer in a group nightlife setting. One account of the experience describes a promised short wait stretching to around an hour and a half, with little communication during the delay. That is the kind of disruption that can change a fun evening into a frustrating one.

The advertised karaoke at the starting venue also did not happen on one occasion. This is a useful warning not to build your plans around entertainment that is not listed as part of the included package.

The guide is meant to keep the group moving, explain where to go, and manage the transfers. Still, the quality of the night depends heavily on how well the group is managed that evening. If the bus is late or the next stop changes, ask for a clear update rather than assuming the schedule is still on track.

I would avoid booking another fixed activity early the next morning. The route can run until 2 AM, and nightlife plans often stretch beyond their official finish.

Drinks, crowds, and the quality question

The free shots are a clear part of the deal, but drink quality may vary. One negative account described cocktails as cheap and watered down. That does not prove every drink will be poor, but it is enough reason to avoid booking this as a cocktail-tasting experience.

You can improve your own night by choosing simple drinks, watching how quickly you consume them, and budgeting for anything beyond the included shots. Free does not always mean generous, and the package is designed to move a group through several venues rather than give you a carefully prepared drink at each one.

Crowds are another factor. The event is aimed at backpackers and social groups, so you should expect a communal atmosphere rather than a quiet evening. The singlet helps identify the group, but it also makes you part of a visible organized crawl.

That can be a plus if you are traveling alone or want to meet people quickly. It can be a drawback if you prefer independent bar hopping, quieter rooms, or the freedom to stay at one place as long as you like.

The 4.1 rating from 23 ratings fits this mixed picture. The night can be funny and social, with good drinking deals and easy connections, but poor timing or weak organization can undermine the whole plan.

Who will enjoy this Hoi An night out?

I would recommend this pub crawl to adults under 18 who want a low-cost, structured night and do not want to choose every venue themselves. It is especially suited to solo visitors, pairs, and small groups who enjoy meeting other backpackers.

The included singlet and shared transport make the event easy to join. You do not need to know Hoi An’s nightlife area, arrange a route, or persuade a group to move from one place to the next.

It is less suitable for anyone who wants a refined club night, high-quality cocktails, or a tightly managed timetable. It is also not suitable for pregnant women or children under 18.

If you dislike crowded transport, ask how full the bus is likely to be before committing. You may still find the price worthwhile, but you should know that the bus is one of the weaker points of the arrangement.

Practical tips for making the night better

Wear the singlet from the start, since the meeting instructions ask you to arrive wearing your pub crawl shirt. Choose comfortable shoes for the walks to UNO Bar and Why Not Bar.

Do not bring luggage or a large bag. Take only what you need, and keep your valuables secure while moving between the bus, bars, and dance floor.

Arrive at 8 PM if you want the happy-hour deals and the full social beginning. Arriving later could mean missing the Jägerbomb, introductions, or early instructions.

Eat before the first drink. The package includes alcohol at several stages, and the official route can run for hours. You will enjoy the night more if you pace yourself.

Keep some flexibility in your evening. The stated stops are UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar, but the timing may not run exactly as printed. If you need to leave early, tell the guide and make your own return plan.

For accommodation, GetYourGuide customers can use the code MADTOUR on the Mad Monkey Hostels website for an extra 5 percent off existing deals. This offer is specifically tied to bookings made through GetYourGuide, so check the booking route before relying on the discount.

Should you book the Mad Monkey Hoi An pub crawl?

Book it if you want a cheap, social night with transport, named bar stops, and several included drinks. At $9, the package offers solid value when the bus is available, the group moves on time, and you enjoy the company of other backpackers.

Skip it if you want careful service, premium drinks, quiet conversation, or full control over your evening. The possible bus crowding, long delays, and uneven organization are real considerations.

My call is simple: this is a good budget choice for a flexible night out, especially if you are alone in Hoi An and want company. Go in for the group atmosphere and low price, not for a perfectly timed club itinerary. Cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund if your plans change.

FAQ

What time does the pub crawl start?

The meeting time is 8 PM in the Mad Monkey Hoi An bar area, during happy hour.

When does the main group leave Mad Monkey?

The listed departure time from Mad Monkey is 11 PM.

Which venues are included?

The planned stops are UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar.

Are free drinks included?

You receive a Jägerbomb and one free shot at each venue.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Roundtrip transportation from the meeting point is included, with bus transport during the route and a return bus at the end.

What time does the activity end?

The planned end is around 2 AM, when you can take the bus back or continue to another location.

Is a guide included?

Yes. The activity includes an English-speaking guide.

Is the pub crawl suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18.

Can pregnant women join?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women.

Can I bring luggage or a large bag?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed. Comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended.

Can I cancel if my plans change?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I pay later?

Yes. The booking option allows you to reserve your place and pay later.