Mad Monkey Hoi An Pub Craw

Hoi An’s lantern-lit lanes give way to late-night bars on this Mad Monkey pub crawl, a social three-stop outing built around shared drinks, music, and bus rides. You’ll meet at the hostel bar, pull on a Mad Monkey singlet, and head out with an English-speaking guide and a group of fellow backpackers.

I like two things here: the easy social setup, which gives solo visitors a ready-made group, and the mix of venues, from UNO Bar to Velvet Club and Why Not Bar. Free shots at each stop and bus transport are useful extras at a $9 price.

The catch is the schedule: you’re told to meet at 8 pm, but another instruction says the group leaves Mad Monkey at 11 pm, while the advertised duration is three hours and the return bus is listed for 2 am. Confirm the night’s actual timing before you go, and don’t count on a tightly managed evening.

What to know before you go

• Meet at Mad Monkey Hoi An at 8 pm: The starting point is the hostel bar, where happy-hour deals set the tone.
• Wear the Mad Monkey singlet: It is part of the pub-crawl routine, so comfortable clothes and shoes make sense.
• Expect three bar and club stops: The route names UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar, with a free shot at each.
• Bus transport is part of the plan: The group travels by bus between locations, though one attendee raised a concern about an overloaded bus.
• Bring a social mood, not a strict timetable: The posted timings conflict, and the evening may not run with clockwork precision.
• It is for adults only: The activity is not suitable for children under 18 or pregnant women.

Starting with happy hour at Mad Monkey

The crawl begins at the bar area of Mad Monkey Hoi An. The stated meeting time is 8 pm, when you can take advantage of happy-hour deals before the group heads out. That gives you a natural chance to meet people before the music gets louder and the venues get busier.

The singlet is part of the experience, not just a keepsake. Putting one on helps identify the group and makes the night feel like a shared outing rather than a set of separate bar visits. The description also mentions a Jägerbomb as part of the start, though it does not spell out whether that drink is included in the $9 price.

This format works best if you arrive ready to talk. One of the clearest strengths of the outing is the chance to connect with other backpackers in a relaxed setting. If you are traveling alone, that can be more useful than any single bar on the route: you have a group to join, a guide to follow, and a plan for the evening.

The pace may not suit everyone. If you prefer a quiet drink, a small group, or a carefully timed cultural tour, this is the wrong kind of night. The point is to move among bars, enjoy the atmosphere, and spend time with the people you meet.

UNO Bar and the first free shot

From Mad Monkey, the group walks to UNO Bar. This is the first named venue on the route and the first stop where a free shot is promised. The crawl description places about an hour here, giving you time to settle in, chat, and enjoy the bar before moving on.

A free shot is a small inclusion, not a full drinks package. You should budget for any other drinks you want, since the $9 price does not specify that cocktails, beers, or additional rounds are covered. That distinction matters: the crawl can be good value as a guided night out, but it is not an all-you-can-drink deal.

The group setting is the main draw at UNO. You are not expected to find your own way through the night or work out which bar to try next. The guide leads the group, and the planned route gives you a simple way to sample a few different settings without organizing each stop yourself.

The quality of drinks and service can vary from venue to venue. If you are particular about cocktails, go in with modest expectations and order carefully. One attendee described drinks at a stop as poor, while other comments praised the drink specials, so the best approach is to treat the free shot as a bonus rather than the main reason to book.

Velvet Club by bus

After UNO, the plan is to board a bus to Velvet Club. The bus is a practical feature, especially if you do not know the area or want to avoid arranging separate transport between venues. It keeps the group together and makes the crawl easier to follow.

Velvet is presented as the nightclub stop, with another free shot on arrival and roughly an hour to spend inside. Compared with the first bar, expect a more club-focused atmosphere and louder music. If dancing is your idea of a good night, this is likely to be the most energetic part of the route.

Transport is also one of the details worth checking in person. A concern has been raised about the bus being overloaded. That does not prove every departure is crowded, but it is reasonable to ask the guide about the next ride if the vehicle looks full. A safe group transfer is useful only when there is room for everyone to travel comfortably.

The written schedule needs care, too. The experience is advertised as three hours, yet the route details describe an 8 pm start, a departure from Mad Monkey at 11 pm, and a bus back at 2 am. Those times do not fit neatly together. Treat them as a reason to confirm the current plan with the organizer, rather than assuming the crawl will begin and end at a precise hour.

Why Not Bar and the late-night choice

The final named stop is Why Not Bar. The group is meant to walk there after Velvet, with one more free shot before going inside. This brings the route to three distinct stops: a bar, a nightclub, and a final late-night venue.

At around 2 am, the stated plan gives you a choice: take the bus back or continue elsewhere. That flexibility is welcome if you still have energy, but it also means the guided portion may end while the night is still going. If you have an early start the next day, decide in advance whether you want to head back with the group.

The crawl is not a guided history walk through Hoi An Ancient Town. Although the route information refers to a visit in the old town, the experience itself is focused on nightlife and venues, not local history or architecture. I would choose it for company and a night out, not as a way to learn about Hoi An’s past.

There is also a risk of loose organization. The strongest version of this outing is simple: meet people at the hostel, follow the guide, enjoy three stops, and get transport between them. If communication slips or a departure is delayed, the night can feel less like a guided crawl and more like waiting around. Keep the guide’s instructions clear, and ask what the next stop and departure time are before the group disperses.

Is $9 good value?

At $9 per person, the price is low for an organized night that includes a singlet, three free shots, a guide, and bus transport. The value depends on what you want from it. If you are new in town and looking for a group to go out with, the social side may be worth more than the drinks themselves.

Do not compare the price with a bar tab that includes every drink. Only the shots are specifically described as free, and any additional drinks may add to your spending. Happy-hour offers are part of the start, but the exact deals are not listed, so ask at the bar rather than assuming a particular discount.

There is a separate lodging offer for people who booked through GetYourGuide: the Mad Monkey website advertises an extra 5 percent discount with the code MADTOUR, on top of any existing deals. That offer is for accommodation and is not part of the $9 crawl price.

The outing has a mixed profile. Some people have found the group friendly, the drink specials useful, and the chance to meet others a highlight. On the other hand, concerns about an overloaded bus, weak drinks, delays, and poor communication point to real variation in how the night can go. With 25 ratings and an overall score of 4.2 out of 5, the general picture is positive, but not uniformly so.

Who should book this crawl?

I would consider booking if you are 18 or older, enjoy going out in a group, and would rather follow a plan than choose each bar yourself. It is particularly suited to solo backpackers or friends who want a social first night in Hoi An. The singlet, shared transport, and group route all help break the ice.

It is less appealing if you want a polished club tour, premium drinks, a quiet evening, or strict timing. The route is built around nightlife, and the conflicting schedule makes it wise to confirm the details on the day. Comfortable shoes and clothes are recommended, and large bags or luggage are not allowed.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve-now, pay-later option. The guide speaks English. Those terms offer some flexibility, but they do not solve the main practical question: when the group actually leaves and returns.

Should you book the Mad Monkey Hoi An Pub Crawl?

Book it if meeting people is as important to you as the bars, and $9 for a guided night with three shots and bus transport sounds fair. Go with flexible expectations, check the schedule with the staff, and bring money for any extra drinks.

Skip it if you need a reliably timed evening or want a carefully managed drinks experience. The social upside is real, but so is the possibility of delays and uneven organization. For a sociable night out, it can be a useful way into Hoi An’s nightlife. For a guaranteed smooth itinerary, I would look for a more tightly specified option.

FAQ

Where does the pub crawl start?

Meet in the bar area at Mad Monkey Hoi An. The stated meeting time is 8 pm.

Which venues are included?

The route names UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar. The plan includes a free shot at each venue.

Is bus transport included?

Yes. Bus transport is part of the crawl, including travel to Velvet Club and a stated bus option back at around 2 am.

How long does the activity last?

The activity is advertised as three hours, but the schedule also gives an 8 pm meeting time, an 11 pm departure from Mad Monkey, and a 2 am return option. Confirm the actual timing before you go.

Is the pub crawl suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18. Pregnant women are also listed as not suitable for the activity.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Luggage and large bags are not allowed.