Mad Monkey Hoi An Pub Craw

Hoi An turns lively after dark. The Mad Monkey Hoi An Pub Crawl gives you an easy way to meet other backpackers, collect free shots at three venues, and reach bars that can be awkward to find alone. I like the low $9 price and the simple route from Mad Monkey Hoi An to UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar. I also like the bus transfer, since it keeps the night moving without making you sort out transport after drinking.

The main caution is organization. The evening can work well when the group is flowing, but one reported night included an overloaded bus, long delays, weak drinks, and poor communication. The advertised schedule also has a few unclear points, so I would book this for the social side, not for a tightly managed nightclub tour.

Key points to know before booking

• Three free shots: Your included drinks are planned for UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar.
• Starts at 8 PM: Meet in the Mad Monkey Hoi An bar area for happy hour and the opening deals.
• Mad Monkey singlet required: You are expected to wear the pub crawl shirt during the night.
• Bus transport included: The group uses a bus between parts of the route, but capacity may be an issue.
• Three-hour advertised duration: The listed schedule runs from 8 PM to 11 PM, although the evening notes also refer to a 2 AM return.
• Best for adults meeting people: This is for people aged 18 and over, with English-speaking guides and a party-first focus.

What the $9 price really gives you

At $9 per person, this is one of the cheaper organized nights out in Hoi An. The value comes from the structure rather than luxury: you get a meeting point, a guide, a pub crawl shirt, transport by bus, and one free shot at each named venue.

That price can make sense if you want company. A solo visitor may find it easier to walk into a bar with a group than to spend the first hour alone deciding where to go. You also avoid paying for several separate taxi rides, at least in theory, because the bus handles the main transfer.

The included shots are not the same as an open bar. You should expect a drink at each stop, not unlimited alcohol or premium cocktails. One poor experience reported cheap, watered-down drinks, so I would treat the free shots as a small bonus rather than the main reason to reserve.

The direct booking discount is worth checking. If you book through GetYourGuide, the supplied information says you can use promo code MADTOUR on the Mad Monkey Hostels website for an extra 5 percent off an existing deal. The code is specifically intended for GetYourGuide customers, so check the conditions before relying on it.

Starting at 8 PM with happy hour

Your night begins at the Mad Monkey Hoi An bar area at 8 PM. This is not just a place to check in. It is the social warm-up, with happy-hour deals and time to meet the group before leaving.

I like this start because it gives you a soft landing. You can arrive, get your bearings, and see if the mood suits you before the later stops. The pub crawl shirt helps identify the group, and wearing it is part of the plan. Bring comfortable clothes and shoes, since you will walk between some venues and spend time standing or dancing.

The opening period may also include a Jägerbomb, according to the activity description. A Jägerbomb is a strong start, especially if you have already been drinking, so pace yourself. The free drinks arrive at set stops, but you do not need to match anybody else’s speed.

There is no listed promise of a private room, reserved table, or formal meal. Eat beforehand and carry only what you need. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, which is sensible for a night that includes walking, a bus, and crowded bar spaces.

Walking to UNO Bar for the first shot

The group walks from Mad Monkey Hoi An to UNO Bar, described as the first venue after the opening hour. This short transfer helps turn a loose group into a shared night out. You are not just being dropped at a club with a voucher. You walk together with the guide and the other people in the group.

UNO Bar is where the first free shot is scheduled. The experience description allows about an hour here, giving you time to talk, order additional drinks if you wish, and decide how much energy you want to save for the club later.

The useful part of a stop like this is the low pressure. A bar gives you room to meet people before the louder nightclub portion. The downside is that the quality of the evening depends heavily on the group size and the guide’s timing. If the bar is packed or the group is large, the free shot may feel more like a quick handout than a special welcome.

Do not assume every advertised activity will happen exactly as described. One night included karaoke in the promotion but did not deliver it. I would regard karaoke as a possible extra, not a guaranteed part of the paid experience.

Taking the bus to Velvet Club

After roughly an hour at UNO Bar, the group is meant to board a bus for Velvet Club. This is the part of the route where transport matters most. Hoi An’s nightlife areas are spread out enough that a group transfer saves time and keeps everyone moving together.

The bus is also the clearest practical concern. One reported experience described it as overloaded. That does not mean every departure will be uncomfortable, but it tells you to keep expectations modest. This is party transport, not a private minibus with guaranteed empty seats.

The supplied itinerary contains a confusing transport entry showing 30 hours, which cannot fit a three-hour activity. It appears to be a data error, but you should pay attention to the actual meeting and departure instructions rather than that isolated figure.

Velvet Club is the main nightclub stop, with another free shot on arrival and around an hour inside. The setting should suit you if you want loud music and a dance floor. If you prefer conversation, you may find this stop less appealing than UNO Bar.

I would keep your phone, wallet, and booking details secure, but avoid carrying a large bag. You need comfortable shoes, and shoes matter more than fashion here. The route includes walking, a bus ride, and time on a dance floor.

Finishing at Why Not Bar

The final stop is Why Not Bar, reached on foot from Velvet Club. You receive the third free shot before heading inside. This last venue works as the loose end of the night, where you can keep dancing, meet more people, or decide that you have had enough.

The planned night is described as ending around 2 AM, when you can take the bus back or continue elsewhere. This conflicts with the separate three-hour duration and the 11 PM departure details. The clearest way to read it is that 8 PM is the start, 11 PM is the point when the group leaves Mad Monkey or finishes the formal portion, and the late-night stops may continue afterward. Still, confirm the exact return plan at check-in.

That timing matters. If you have an early cooking class, boat ride, or airport transfer, do not assume you will be back at 11 PM. If you want a late night and do not want to plan your own route home, the possible 2 AM bus return is useful.

Why Not Bar is also where the tour becomes least structured. You may stay with the group, leave independently, or move on to another location. That freedom is helpful, but it means you remain responsible for your own choices and spending after the included shot.

The social side is the real attraction

I like this experience most as a meeting tool. The strongest praise centers on a relaxed group atmosphere, good connections, and drink specials. That is the core promise the tour can deliver when the mix of people is right.

You should book it if you want to meet other adults staying in hostels or passing through Hoi An. The Mad Monkey setting gives the evening a natural starting group, while the shared shirt and route make it easier to recognize people as the night goes on.

This is less suitable if you want local food, history, or a quiet look at Hoi An after dark. The itinerary mentions Hoi An Ancient Town, but the detailed evening plan focuses on bars and clubs rather than monuments, lanterns, or a guided history walk. You should not book this as a cultural tour.

The English-speaking guide is there to lead the group, but the quality of the night depends on communication and crowd control. One poor account described a long unexplained wait of about an hour and a half after being told the next stop would come in 20 minutes. That kind of delay can quickly drain the fun from a short pub crawl.

For that reason, ask at the start when the group will leave each venue. If the bus is delayed, ask for a clear update rather than waiting without information. A little direct communication can save a lot of frustration.

Who should choose this pub crawl?

I would recommend it to:

• Solo adults who want a ready-made social night
• Backpackers staying near Mad Monkey Hoi An
• People who enjoy loud clubs and group dancing
• Visitors who value transport and a planned route
• Anyone looking for a low-cost introduction to Hoi An nightlife

I would be more cautious if you:

• Dislike crowded buses
• Need precise timing
• Prefer quality cocktails or craft drinks
• Want a small, quiet group
• Are sensitive to loud music
• Expect every advertised extra, such as karaoke, to happen

Pregnant women and children under 18 are not suitable for this activity. The crawl is built around alcohol and nightlife, so that restriction is straightforward.

Timing, meeting point, and what to wear

Meet at Mad Monkey Hoi An at 8 PM, in the bar area, at the start of happy hour. The listed coordinates are 15.889047622680664, 108.35345458984375.

Wear the Mad Monkey pub crawl singlet. Comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes are recommended, and I would take that advice seriously. You will walk between venues and may spend much of the night standing.

Do not bring luggage or a large bag. A small, secure item is more practical, but the supplied information only confirms that large bags and luggage are not allowed. Keep your belongings simple.

The activity is listed as three hours, with English-language guidance. The schedule also includes a departure from Mad Monkey at 11 PM and later information about a 2 AM bus return. Because those times do not fully match, ask the staff to explain the night’s exact sequence before leaving the hostel.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Hoi An plans are still changing.

Is the Mad Monkey Hoi An Pub Crawl worth booking?

At $9, this is a reasonable gamble if your priority is meeting people and getting a simple night out. The free shots, happy-hour start, bus transfers, and three named venues give you more structure than wandering from bar to bar alone.

I would not book it for polished service or perfect timekeeping. The overloaded bus report, the complaint about cheap drinks, and the serious delay complaint show that the experience can lose its shape on a bad night. The conflicting schedule is another reason to keep your plans flexible.

My advice is simple: book it if you are social, flexible, and happy with a budget hostel-style party. Skip it if you need reliable transport, premium drinks, or a carefully managed route. If you stay at Mad Monkey, compare the direct hostel price first, since one booking note indicates it may be more than half cheaper there.

FAQ

How much does the Mad Monkey Hoi An Pub Crawl cost?

The listed price is $9 per person. A GetYourGuide customer may also use promo code MADTOUR on the Mad Monkey Hostels website for an extra 5 percent off an existing deal, subject to the stated conditions.

How long does the pub crawl last?

The activity is listed as three hours. The evening information also refers to a 2 AM bus return, while the meeting details mention an 11 PM departure from Mad Monkey, so confirm the exact schedule at the start.

Where does the pub crawl begin?

Meet in the Mad Monkey Hoi An bar area at 8 PM, during happy hour. The listed coordinates are 15.889047622680664, 108.35345458984375.

Which venues are included?

The planned route includes UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar. You receive a free shot at each of these stops.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The group uses a bus for part of the route, including the transfer toward Velvet Club and a possible return later in the night. One report described an overloaded bus, so capacity may vary.

Who can join the pub crawl?

The activity is conducted in English and is not suitable for children under 18 or pregnant women. Comfortable shoes and clothes are recommended, and luggage or large bags are not allowed.