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

Hoi An’s old town is known for lanterns and quiet evening walks, but this $9 pub crawl takes you into a louder, younger side of town. You start at Mad Monkey Hoi An, collect a pub crawl singlet, then move through UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar with free shots along the way.

I like the low price and the built-in transport, especially if you want company rather than spending the night guessing which bar to try next. I also like the simple route: happy hour, one hour at each main venue, and a bus back around 2 AM.

The main caution is organization. One account reports an overloaded bus, while another describes a long delay, poor communication, and drinks that tasted cheap. This can be a fun social night, but it is not the right choice if you need a tightly managed schedule.

Key points at a glance

• Three named nightlife stops: UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar give the evening a clear route.
• Free drinks included: You get a shot at each venue, plus a Jägerbomb at the start.
• Bus transport included: The group travels between venues and returns to the meeting point around 2 AM.
• A social backpacker setup: The singlet, guide, and shared route make it easy to meet people.
• Very low headline price: At $9 per person, the inclusions offer good value if the schedule runs as planned.
• Plan for possible delays: The main weakness is reported crowding and uneven coordination.

What the $9 Hoi An pub crawl is really offering

This is not a private nightlife tour or a polished cocktail experience. It is a social night out built around a hostel bar, a group of backpackers, a few clubs, and modest drink inclusions.

For $9, you are paying mainly for access to a ready-made group and transportation. The free shots add some value, but you should not expect premium spirits, carefully mixed cocktails, or a small group with personal attention.

That distinction matters. If you are alone in Hoi An and want to meet people quickly, the crawl may solve a real problem. You do not need to choose a bar, persuade a group to join you, or work out how to get from one venue to the next.

If you are already traveling with friends, you may get more freedom by choosing your own bars. Hoi An is easy to explore on foot in the central area, and a self-guided night lets you leave whenever you like.

Starting at Mad Monkey at 8 PM

The evening begins at 8 PM in the Mad Monkey Hoi An bar area during happy hour. This is where you meet the guide and the rest of the group, enjoy the bar’s drink deals, and put on the Mad Monkey singlet.

The singlet is more than a souvenir. It helps the group identify one another as you move through busy venues, and it gives the night a team feel. If you prefer to blend in, though, the matching shirt may feel a little too much like a hostel event.

A Jägerbomb is included, and the group gathers before heading out. The exact guide names are not provided, but the tour is conducted in English. You should arrive ready to socialize, since the value of this first stage depends on how much you want to meet other people.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You will be walking between some stops, standing in bars, and spending time on a dance floor. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so keep your belongings small.

UNO Bar and the first free shot

After the initial meeting, the group walks to UNO Bar. This is the first main stop and the point where the crawl gets properly underway.

You receive a free shot on arrival, then have about an hour to order additional drinks, talk with the group, and settle into the night. Starting with a walk rather than an immediate bus ride gives you a short chance to see the evening streets and stay close to the central nightlife area.

The free shot is a useful inclusion, but it is best viewed as a welcome drink rather than a major saving. If you buy more drinks, your final spend can quickly move beyond the $9 booking price.

The quality of the night may depend on the crowd and the timing. A full group can make UNO Bar feel lively, while a thin group or a delayed start may leave you waiting around. Keep your expectations practical: this is a social bar stop, not a food tour or a guided look at Hoi An culture.

The bus ride to Velvet Club

After roughly an hour at UNO Bar, the group boards a bus for Velvet Club. Transportation is one of the stronger parts of the package because it removes the need to arrange your own ride between venues.

That is especially useful late at night, after drinks, when navigating unfamiliar streets is less appealing. It also keeps the group together and gives the guide a clear way to move everyone along.

The tradeoff is capacity. One account describes the bus as overloaded. If the group is large, the ride may feel crowded rather than comfortable. You should also expect the schedule to depend on everyone being ready to leave together.

The stated plan is simple: spend about an hour at UNO Bar, take the bus, and arrive at Velvet Club. In practice, allow some flexibility. A previous night included a delay of about 90 minutes after the first bar, with little information about what was happening. That sort of pause can cut into time at the later venues.

Velvet Club for music and dancing

Velvet Club is the main nightclub stop. You receive another free shot on arrival, then have about an hour to dance and enjoy the club atmosphere.

This is likely to be the loudest part of the evening. You will have less chance for conversation than at Mad Monkey or UNO Bar, but more room to focus on music and dancing. If you want a classic backpacker club night, this is the portion that should appeal most.

Drink quality deserves a realistic note. One account described cocktails at a venue as cheap and watered down. That does not prove every drink will be poor, but it is a good reason to stick to simple orders and avoid assuming that a free or discounted drink is high quality.

You can make the most of Velvet Club by treating the included shot as the main bonus and buying only what you actually want. Keep your phone and wallet secure, especially in a crowded dance area.

Why Not Bar and the late finish

The final listed stop is Why Not Bar. The group walks there from Velvet Club, receives one more free shot, and heads inside for the last part of the night.

This stop gives you a choice. You can stay with the group and continue dancing, or use the final venue as a natural point to decide that you have had enough. Since the evening is built around social energy, some people will want to continue while others will be ready for bed.

At about 2 AM, the bus returns to the meeting point. The activity ends back at Mad Monkey Hoi An, although the description also allows you to continue to another location. That makes the return useful even if you plan to keep going elsewhere.

The late finish is worth considering before you book. It is not a short evening tasting tour. You are committing to a night that runs from 8 PM until around 2 AM, with the option to stay out longer.

How the timing affects the experience

The published schedule has two time markers that deserve attention. You meet at 8 PM, but the bus departure from Mad Monkey is listed at 11 PM. The route description also places UNO Bar before the bus ride to Velvet Club.

The practical reading is that the first part of the evening takes place at Mad Monkey and UNO Bar, followed by the bus transfer later at night. You should not expect to leave the meeting point immediately at 8 PM.

This loose timing may be fine if you enjoy a relaxed start. It becomes frustrating if you have plans elsewhere or want to spend a fixed amount of time at each bar.

The delay problem is the biggest concern in the information available. A crawl depends on clear instructions. If the group is told the next move will happen soon and then waits much longer without updates, the night loses momentum.

My advice is simple: ask the guide at the start when the group will leave each venue. Keep enough money for your own ride if you decide to leave early, although the included bus is intended to return you to the meeting point.

What is included, and what is not

The package includes:

• Roundtrip transportation from the meeting point
• An English-speaking guide
• A Mad Monkey singlet
• A Jägerbomb
• One free shot at each venue

The three free shots are tied to the named stops, UNO Bar, Velvet Club, and Why Not Bar. They are not unlimited drinks, and extra beverages are not listed as included.

Food is not included. Neither are upgraded cocktails, personal purchases, or any costs after you leave the crawl. Bring a small amount of cash or another accepted payment method, but do not bring luggage or a large bag.

Because alcohol is part of the activity, you should pace yourself. The route includes several drinks over a long night, and the group may move quickly between venues. You do not need to accept every included shot if you would rather take it slowly.

Is $9 good value in Hoi An?

At $9, the price is hard to criticize if the transport operates properly and you want a group night. A Jägerbomb, three venue shots, a singlet, a guide, and bus transport together can cost more than $9 when arranged separately.

The value drops if you do not drink, dislike loud clubs, or leave after the first stop. In that case, you are paying for inclusions you will not use.

You should also compare the direct Mad Monkey hostel rate before booking. A past price comparison found direct booking at the hostel to be more than half cheaper, though rates can change. If that difference still exists, booking direct may be the better buy. GetYourGuide bookings have been associated with a Mad Monkey hostel discount code, MADTOUR, offering an extra 5 percent off existing deals, so check the current terms before paying.

The $9 price is best understood as a low-cost social pass, not a guarantee of premium nightlife. If the bars are your main goal, ask yourself whether you would choose these three venues on your own. If the group and transport matter more, the price is attractive.

Who will enjoy this night most

I would point this pub crawl toward solo backpackers, young adults, and anyone staying near Mad Monkey who wants a ready-made social plan. The singlet, guide, and group route reduce the awkwardness of starting a night alone.

It may also suit friends who want to dance without planning every stop. The bus makes the night easier, and the fixed route keeps the group moving.

I would be more cautious if you prefer quiet wine bars, local food, craft drinks, or early nights. The activity centers on loud venues, shots, and dancing. It also is not suitable for children under 18 or pregnant women.

The language is English, so you should be comfortable following instructions and socializing in English. If you are mainly looking for Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets and old-town atmosphere, this experience offers a very different side of the town.

Practical tips for a smoother night

Arrive at Mad Monkey before 8 PM so you are ready for the opening happy hour. Wear the singlet as requested, since it helps the guide keep track of the group.

Choose shoes you can stand and walk in for several hours. Avoid bringing a suitcase, large backpack, or anything you do not want to carry through a crowded club.

Keep your drinking pace under control from the start. The Jägerbomb and three free shots arrive across a long evening, and the loud setting can make it easy to drink faster than planned.

Ask about the planned departure from each venue. If the group is delayed, decide how long you are willing to wait. The bus is included, but you should not feel obliged to stay until 2 AM if the night is not working for you.

Cancellation is flexible 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.

Should you book the Mad Monkey Hoi An Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want a cheap, social night with included drinks and transport, and you are comfortable with a hostel-style party atmosphere. The three stops, matching singlet, and late bus return give the evening a clear shape without much planning.

Skip it if you need reliable timing, comfortable transport, or high-quality cocktails. The reports of an overloaded bus and a long, poorly explained delay are not minor details. They point to the main risk: the night can be fun when the group and staff are organized, but frustrating when they are not.

At $9, I would consider it a reasonable gamble for a solo night out, especially after checking the direct Mad Monkey price. Go for the social experience, not the drinks alone, and keep your expectations flexible.

FAQ

What time does the Hoi An pub crawl start?

The activity starts at 8 PM in the Mad Monkey Hoi An bar area during happy hour.

Where does the pub crawl begin?

You meet in the Mad Monkey Hoi An bar area.

Which bars and clubs are included?

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

Are drinks included?

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

Is transportation included?

Yes. Roundtrip bus transportation from the meeting point is included, with a return to Mad Monkey at about 2 AM.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is conducted in English.

Can children join the pub crawl?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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