Mad Monkey Hoi An Pub Craw

Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets take on a different mood after dark, and this $9 pub crawl gives you a simple way to meet people and reach several nightlife spots without sorting out transport yourself. You begin at Mad Monkey Hoi An during happy hour, pull on the crawl shirt, and move through UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar.

I like the low price with three included shots and the chance to join a ready-made social group rather than spend your first night guessing where to go. I also like the bus transfers, which are useful after a few drinks. The main concern is organization: the schedule can run late, and one report described an overloaded bus and a long wait between stops.

Key points at a glance

• 8 PM start at Mad Monkey Hoi An: Begin with happy-hour deals, a welcome drink, and your Mad Monkey singlet.
• Three named nightlife stops: The planned route includes UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar.
• Free shot at each venue: Your included drinks are shots, while other drinks are not stated as part of the price.
• Bus transport between venues: Transfers reduce the need to find your own way at night, though capacity may be tight.
• Three-hour advertised duration: The description also refers to a return bus at 2 AM, so confirm the evening’s actual timing before you set plans.
• Adults-only social outing: The activity is for people 18 and older and is not suitable during pregnancy.

Starting at Mad Monkey Hoi An at 8 PM

The evening begins in the bar area at Mad Monkey Hoi An at 8 PM. This early start matters because it gives you time to meet the group before the louder club portion of the night begins. Happy-hour deals are available at this stage, though the exact prices and drinks can change.

You are asked to wear the pub crawl singlet. That shirt is more than a souvenir. It helps you spot the group as you move through Hoi An, and it gives the night a shared, slightly silly dress code. If you prefer a quiet drink in polished clothes, this probably is not your scene. If you want an easy icebreaker, it does the job.

The tour is led in English, but no guide names are provided. The quality of the evening will therefore depend heavily on the guide on duty, the size of the group, and how well the staff manage the move from one place to the next.

The welcome period is also where the social side works best. You can settle in, find a few people who match your pace, and decide how much of the night you want to join. Do not feel that you must drink every included shot. The price includes them, but your night will be better if you keep your own limits.

UNO Bar and the first free shot

After the opening period, the group walks to UNO Bar. This is described as the first main stop, with a free shot waiting for you. You are expected to spend about an hour there before moving on.

Starting with a bar rather than a nightclub can help the group get acquainted. You have room to talk, order a drink, and work out who plans to continue for the full route. The free shot keeps the pace moving, but remember that the shot is the included item. Cocktails, beer, and other drinks may cost extra.

This is also the point where expectations need a little trimming. A $9 crawl is not a full evening of unlimited drinks. Think of it as a social route with a few included samples, not a bar tab. One poor report described cheap, watered-down cocktails at a venue, so I would avoid assuming that every drink deal is a good deal. Check the price before ordering anything beyond the included shot.

The group is meant to stay together, but the timing can be loose. The advertised plan allows roughly an hour here. If you want a tightly managed evening with exact departure times, keep your phone charged and ask the guide when the bus leaves.

Velvet Club after the bus ride

After UNO Bar, you board the bus for Velvet Club. This is the part of the route where organized transport has real value. Hoi An’s nightlife venues are not all right beside one another, and a bus means you do not have to arrange a taxi or navigate dark streets after drinking.

Velvet Club is presented as the main nightclub stop. You receive another free shot and spend about an hour inside. Expect the setting to shift from conversation to music and dancing, with the group encouraged to use the dance floor.

The bus is also the activity’s weak point. One low-rated experience specifically described the vehicle as overloaded. That does not mean every departure will be crowded, but you should be ready for a close ride if the group is large. It is worth keeping valuables in a small zipped bag rather than carrying a large daypack. Large bags are not allowed.

Timing can be an even bigger issue than comfort. One report described a promised 20-minute wait stretching to about an hour and a half, with little communication. That kind of delay can eat much of a three-hour crawl. I would ask clearly about the next departure before leaving UNO Bar, and I would not assume that a stated time will be exact.

Why Not Bar and the late-night finish

The planned final stop is Why Not Bar. The route takes you there on foot from Velvet Club, followed by another free shot before you go inside. This gives the night a change of rhythm after the bus ride and nightclub stop.

By this stage, the social group usually matters more than the exact venue. If you have clicked with the people around you, Why Not Bar can be a good final stop for dancing and one last drink. If the night has been poorly managed, however, the final venue will not fix the earlier problems.

The stated end point needs careful reading. The activity is described as lasting three hours, with a 2 AM bus back or the option to continue elsewhere. The meeting details also say to depart Mad Monkey at 11 PM, which does not fully match the 8 PM start or the three-hour duration. In practical terms, you should treat the schedule as a late-night plan rather than a precise 8 PM to 11 PM event.

If you need to be back at your accommodation at a firm time, ask the staff at the beginning of the evening how the return works. The supplied information says you can take the bus back at 2 AM, but it does not give a separate return timetable or explain how late departures are handled.

What the $9 price really covers

At $9 per person, this is one of the cheaper ways to join an organized night out in Hoi An. The value comes from the combination of three free shots, a branded singlet, a guide, and bus transport. If you would otherwise pay for several short taxi rides and cover charges, the package can make financial sense.

The price does not mean every drink is free. The clear inclusions are the shots at the venues and the happy-hour starting period. Budget extra money for drinks, food, and any venue charges not covered by the activity.

There is also an important booking-price point. One highly positive experience indicated that booking at the hostel could cost more than half as much as booking elsewhere. That is not a guaranteed rate, so compare the direct Mad Monkey price with the online price before paying. If you book through GetYourGuide, a MADTOUR code is advertised for an extra 5 percent off Mad Monkey Hostel bookings, on top of existing deals. That offer applies to accommodation, not the pub crawl itself.

For a social night, $9 is a fair entry price if the route runs close to plan. The value drops quickly if long waits replace time at the venues. I would book it for the social access and transport, not because it promises premium drinks or carefully timed nightlife.

The social side is the main attraction

The strongest part of this experience is the ready-made group. You do not need to walk into a bar alone or decide which club deserves your time. The singlets, shared bus rides, and included shots give you quick ways to meet people.

The most positive experiences focused on the friendly group atmosphere, relaxed company, and connections made during the night. That is a useful clue about who will enjoy this most. Solo visitors, recent arrivals, and people staying at Mad Monkey are likely to get the most from it.

Your experience can change based on the mix of people. Some nights may feel easygoing and social. Other nights may lean hard toward loud music and drinking. The activity is not a guided tour of Hoi An’s culture or nightlife history. It is a group night out built around bars, clubs, and meeting people.

The rating provided is 4.2 out of 5 from 25 reviews, which points to a generally favorable but not flawless experience. The split is worth noticing: several people praised the company and drinking deals, while one report raised serious concerns about waiting, communication, drink quality, and organization.

Practical details before you go

Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk between some venues, and dancing in stiff shoes is no fun. Comfortable clothes also make sense, especially if you expect a warm, crowded club.

Do not bring luggage or a large bag. The rules specifically exclude them, and a small secure bag is easier on a bus and in a nightclub. Keep your phone, cash, and room key close.

The activity is for adults 18 and older. It is not suitable for pregnant women. The guide language is English, so you should be comfortable following instructions and group updates in English.

The meeting point is Mad Monkey Hoi An at 15.889047622680664, 108.35345458984375. The meeting instruction is the Mad Monkey Hoi An bar area at 8 PM, while another timing note says to depart Mad Monkey at 11 PM. Because those details do not line up neatly, confirm the evening’s plan when you arrive.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Vietnam route is still shifting.

Who should book this Hoi An night out

I would choose this crawl if you want company, a low upfront price, and a simple route through several nightlife venues. It is especially suited to solo adults and backpackers who value meeting people more than carefully selecting one excellent bar.

It can also work as a first-night orientation to Hoi An after dark. You will see three named venues and get a feel for the local party circuit without committing to a full night at one place.

I would think twice if you dislike crowds, loud music, shared transport, or flexible timing. You should also skip it if you want quality cocktails, a quiet local evening, or a cultural activity centered on the Ancient Town. The schedule names Hoi An Ancient Town, but the detailed evening plan focuses on Mad Monkey, UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar rather than a historical walk.

Do not book it for karaoke. Karaoke is not part of the stated activity details, and one poor experience specifically noted that expected karaoke never took place.

Should you book the Mad Monkey Hoi An Pub Crawl?

Book it if your priority is meeting people and keeping costs down. The three free shots and bus transfers give the $9 price a clear purpose, and the best nights appear to come from the friendly group atmosphere.

Skip it if you need a tightly timed program or dislike uncertainty. The overloaded bus report and the long delay between stops are real concerns, and the conflicting schedule makes it wise to confirm the return plan at the start.

My practical call: try it when you are traveling alone, staying nearby, and happy to treat the night as a social gamble. If you are booking mainly for premium drinks or polished organization, spend the money on one bar you choose yourself instead.

FAQ

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

The price is $9 per person.

How long does the pub crawl last?

The activity is advertised as lasting three hours. The evening details also refer to a bus back at 2 AM, so confirm the exact schedule when you arrive.

What time does the pub crawl start?

Meet in the Mad Monkey Hoi An bar area at 8 PM for happy hour and the start of the evening.

Where does the pub crawl begin?

It begins at Mad Monkey Hoi An. The provided meeting coordinates are 15.889047622680664, 108.35345458984375.

Which venues are included?

The planned route includes UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar.

Are drinks included in the price?

A free shot is provided at each listed venue. Happy-hour deals are also available at the starting bar, but the information does not state that all other drinks are included.

Is transport provided?

Yes. Bus transport is provided between parts of the route, including the trip to Velvet Club and the return option.

What language is the tour guided in?

The live guide speaks English.

Can children join the pub crawl?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 18.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.