Mad Monkey Hoi An Pub Craw

Hoi An’s old lanes grow quiet, but this Mad Monkey pub crawl takes you toward the town’s late-night bars with a ready-made social group. You begin at Mad Monkey Hoi An during happy hour, collect a singlet, and move on to UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar with bus transport between parts of the night.

I like the low $9 price and the easy social setup. You get a free shot at each listed stop, a Jägerbomb at the start, and a guide to help you move from one venue to the next. The catch is that the timing and organization may not always run cleanly, and one report describes an overloaded bus and a long delay between stops.

Key points before you book

• Start at 8 PM at Mad Monkey Hoi An: Happy hour gives you a chance to meet the group before the bar hopping begins.
• Four drinking moments are included: Expect the welcome Jägerbomb or shot, then a free shot at UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar.
• The route mixes walking and bus travel: You walk to UNO Bar, take a bus to Velvet Club, then walk to Why Not Bar.
• The night is aimed at adults under 18: Comfortable shoes and clothes matter, and large bags are not allowed.
• The schedule needs checking: The experience is sold as three hours, but the evening plan also refers to a 2 AM return.
• The main appeal is company: This works best if you want to meet other backpackers rather than seek a quiet, local night out.

What the Hoi An pub crawl is really like

This is a social night out built around a hostel bar, shared transport, and several clubs. You are not signing up for a guided tour of Hoi An’s culture or food. You are paying for a simple way to meet people and reach a few nightlife venues without planning every stop yourself.

The advertised price is $9 per person. For that, you receive the group setup, an English-speaking guide, transport by bus, a pub crawl singlet, and free shots at the scheduled venues. If you would otherwise pay for several taxis and spend time choosing bars, the price can make sense.

The value depends on what you want from the night. If you like loud music, quick introductions, and a loose party plan, $9 is modest. If you expect carefully timed service, premium cocktails, or a polished club package, keep your expectations in check.

The overall rating is 4.2 from 25 ratings, but the individual experiences are mixed. Several people praise the relaxed group atmosphere and the chance to connect with others. One recent account describes poor communication, watered-down drinks, a missed karaoke plan, and a long wait. That contrast is important: the people you meet may make the night, but the operation can depend heavily on the evening’s staff and crowd.

Starting at Mad Monkey Hoi An at 8 PM

You meet in the Mad Monkey Hoi An bar area at 8 PM, when happy hour begins. This first hour is more than a holding pen before the crawl. It is your best chance to find your group, speak with the guide, and decide how hard you want to push the night.

The welcome portion includes a Jägerbomb and the chance to wear the Mad Monkey singlet. The shirt is a practical social marker. You can spot the group as it moves around town, and other people in the same shirt are easy to approach.

The happy hour timing also helps you avoid arriving at the first club cold and alone. I like this part because joining a nightlife group can feel awkward if everyone already knows each other. Here, the evening has a clear meeting point and a simple shared ritual.

You should still arrive ready to go. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and leave large bags behind. The activity does not allow luggage or large bags, which makes sense once you are walking, boarding a bus, and moving through crowded bars.

Walking to UNO Bar for the first free shot

After the opening period, the group walks to UNO Bar. This is the first listed venue and the first stop with a free shot. The walk gives you time to talk, and it keeps the evening from feeling like one long bus transfer.

UNO Bar is presented as a lively first stop, but the available details do not promise a particular music style, seating setup, or drink menu. I would treat it as a social warm-up rather than book this crawl for one specific bar.

You are scheduled to spend about an hour here. That is enough time to settle into the group, order anything beyond the included drink, and see if the night’s pace suits you. If you do not drink alcohol, the supplied details do not state what non-alcoholic alternatives are included, so ask the guide before ordering.

The free shot is a useful inclusion at this price, but it does not mean every drink is free. Extra cocktails, beers, and other orders are separate unless the staff says otherwise. One complaint described cheap, watered-down cocktails at a venue, so I would avoid assuming that a package shot equals high-quality drinks.

Bus transfer to Velvet Club

After UNO Bar, the plan calls for a bus ride to Velvet Club. This is where the transport becomes useful. Hoi An’s nightlife venues are not all clustered in one spot, and a group bus is easier than trying to arrange several taxis late at night.

The bus also gives the guide a chance to keep the group together. That matters when people have joined at different times and may be visiting Hoi An for only a short stay. You do not have to work out the next address or lead a group through unfamiliar streets.

There is a warning here. A rating reports that the bus was overloaded. Another account describes a major delay between stops, with a promised 20-minute wait stretching to about 90 minutes. These are not small details. If you dislike crowded transport or need a tightly managed evening, this crawl may frustrate you.

The published timing is also unclear. The experience is described as three hours, while the meeting plan begins at 8 PM and mentions a bus departure from Mad Monkey at 11 PM, followed by a return at 2 AM. The itinerary text also contains an impossible 30-hour bus entry and a two-hour ancient-town visit that does not match the pub crawl description.

I would confirm the actual route and finish time directly before booking. Treat the listed timing as a general plan, not a promise that every stop will receive exactly one hour.

Spending the next hour at Velvet Club

Velvet Club is the main nightclub stop. The plan gives you another free shot on arrival, followed by roughly an hour inside. This is likely the point where the night shifts from bar socializing to dancing.

You can expect a louder setting than the opening bar, though the available information does not specify the club’s music, dress code, or exact drink prices. Bring comfortable shoes because the activity asks you to be ready for the dance floor, and you may be standing for much of the stop.

This part suits you if you want a quick taste of Hoi An’s club scene without spending an entire night at one venue. The group structure keeps things moving. The downside is that one hour can feel short if the music is good, while a delay before arrival can make the stop feel rushed.

The guide is advertised as English-speaking, but no guide names are provided. That means you should look for the Mad Monkey staff member at the meeting point rather than expect a particular host. If the group gets separated, return to the agreed meeting place and ask staff for the next departure time.

Finishing at Why Not Bar

The final listed stop is Why Not Bar, reached on foot from Velvet Club. You receive another free shot before heading inside. This last walk can help the group stay together after the club, but you should pay attention to where you are going and keep your belongings secure.

Why Not Bar is presented as the closing venue, not as a formal finish with a guided send-off. At 2 AM, the stated plan is to take the bus back or continue elsewhere. That gives you flexibility, but it also means you should not assume the crawl ends at the hostel exactly three hours after the 8 PM start.

This is useful if you want to carry on into the early morning. It is less useful if you have an early tour, airport transfer, or hotel curfew. Ask before the night begins where the return bus will leave and what happens if you choose to stay at the final bar.

The crawl can also be a good first-night activity in Hoi An because you do not need to know the nightlife area. But I would not use it as your only plan for experiencing the town after dark. The focus is drinking and meeting people, not seeing lantern-lit lanes, local performances, or quieter riverside spots.

What the $9 price includes in practical terms

At $9, the package is cheap enough to make sense as a social introduction to Hoi An nightlife. The included shots alone are only part of the value. You are also paying for a guide, a group to join, the singlet, and bus transport between venues.

The price looks strongest for solo visitors. If you are on your own, the hardest part of a night out can be finding company. This activity solves that problem at a low cost. A pair of friends may also enjoy it, especially if you want a ready-made route.

The price is less compelling if you already know Hoi An’s bars or prefer to choose your own drinks. You may find that ordering directly at venues gives you more control over quality, music, and time. One rating also says booking through the hostel can cost more than half less than booking through the external platform. That is a major price check. Compare the direct Mad Monkey rate before paying the listed $9.

The package does not state that cocktails, beers, or food are included. Budget for your own drinks and keep an eye on prices at each venue. The included shots are a bonus, not a full bar tab.

Who will enjoy this night most

I would recommend this crawl to an adult solo visitor or a small group that wants quick company and a simple party route. You should be comfortable with loud venues, shared transport, alcohol, and a schedule that may change.

It also suits people staying at or near Mad Monkey Hoi An. The meeting point is simple, and returning to the hostel by bus is easier than arranging a ride from an unfamiliar club.

You may want to skip it if you are pregnant, under 18, carrying luggage, or looking for a quiet evening. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or children under 18, and large bags are not allowed.

I would also hesitate if you care most about polished organization. The strongest praise centers on the group and friendly social mood, while the sharpest criticism concerns delays, poor updates, venue quality, and an overloaded bus. That is a clear sign to book for the people and price, not for flawless management.

Smart ways to make the evening better

Arrive at 8 PM, not just before the transport leaves. The opening hour is when you meet the group and hear the plan. Arriving late could mean missing the welcome drink or struggling to find the party.

Wear shoes you can walk and dance in. The route combines a walk to UNO Bar, bus transport, a club stop, and another walk to Why Not Bar.

Keep your belongings small. Large bags are not allowed, and a compact phone wallet or small personal item is easier to manage in a crowded nightlife setting.

Drink at your own pace. Four included shots can arrive quickly if you count the welcome drink and the three venue shots. You do not need to match the fastest person in the group.

Ask clear timing questions before leaving Mad Monkey. Confirm the expected bus departure, the final return time, and what to do if you leave a venue early. This is especially useful because the listed three-hour duration does not line up neatly with the 2 AM return plan.

If the bus feels overloaded or the group waits too long without updates, speak to the guide early. You may be able to clarify the next stop rather than lose the whole evening to confusion.

Booking flexibility and basic details

You can cancel without a charge 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 moving around.

The listed duration is three hours, but the detailed evening schedule suggests a longer night. Check the current start and finish times when you book. The meeting coordinates are 15.889047622680664, 108.35345458984375, and the stated meeting place is the Mad Monkey Hoi An bar area.

The tour is conducted in English. No guide names are supplied, so do not book based on a particular host. The provider is Công Ty TNHH Mad Monkey Việt Nam.

Mad Monkey also advertises a hostel discount for people who book through GetYourGuide. The supplied offer says to use code MADTOUR on the Mad Monkey Hostels website for an extra 5 percent off existing deals. Check the terms at the time of booking because accommodation prices and promotions can change.

Should you book the Mad Monkey Hoi An Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want a low-cost, social night with free shots, a singlet, a bus, and a ready-made group. The best part is the chance to meet relaxed people quickly, and the $9 price is fair when the schedule runs well.

Skip it if you need reliable timing, quiet bars, high-quality cocktails, or a carefully managed route. The reports of an overloaded bus, long unexplained waits, and weak drinks are serious enough to keep expectations modest.

My advice is to compare the direct Mad Monkey price first, arrive for the 8 PM happy hour, and confirm the return plan before the first shot. If you see the crawl as a flexible party night rather than a polished tour, it can be a useful addition to your Hoi An stay.

FAQ

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

The stated price is $9 per person. A rating also indicates that booking directly through the hostel may cost more than half less, so compare prices before paying.

How long does the pub crawl last?

The activity is advertised as three hours. The detailed evening plan also refers to a 2 AM return, so confirm the current schedule before booking.

Where does the pub crawl begin?

You meet in the Mad Monkey Hoi An bar area. The provided coordinates are 15.889047622680664, 108.35345458984375.

What time should I arrive?

The meeting time is 8 PM, at the start of happy hour. The information also states an 11 PM departure from Mad Monkey.

Which venues are included?

The planned route includes UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar. The evening begins at Mad Monkey Hoi An.

Are drinks included?

A welcome Jägerbomb or shot is included, along with one free shot at UNO Bar, one at Velvet Club, and one at Why Not Bar. The information does not state that all other drinks are included.

Is transportation provided?

Yes. Bus or coach transport is provided between parts of the route. The plan includes walking to UNO Bar, a bus ride to Velvet Club, and a walk to Why Not Bar.

Is the activity conducted in English?

Yes. The listed tour language is English, and a live English-speaking guide leads the activity.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Who cannot join the pub crawl?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or children under 18 years old.