Mad Monkey Siem Reap Pub Crawl

Siem Reap knows how to keep the night moving. The Mad Monkey Siem Reap Pub Crawl combines cheap drinks and easy socializing with a Mad Monkey singlet, a cocktail, free shots, and a traditional Khmer meal. I like the chance to meet people from several countries, and the planned mix of karaoke, a pub-style bar, and a club gives the evening some shape. The main concern is the long opening stretch at the hostel bar, which may feel slow if you expect to reach Pub Street right away.

At $12 per person, this is an affordable night out if you use the drink discounts, collect the included beer, and want a ready-made group. Still, you should bring the right expectations: the guide’s energy matters, and part of the evening may depend on you helping create the party. The host SK has earned warm praise for being friendly and fun, but one poor experience described the early hours as unorganized and lacking activities.

Key points to know before you book

• The evening begins at Mad Monkey’s Canopy Bar: Meet at 7:30 PM, order your first drink, and receive 20 percent off drinks throughout the night.
• Free shots are part of the format: Mad Monkey plans a complimentary shot each hour, along with one cocktail included in the price.
• Pub Street comes late: The stated schedule has the group leaving for the bars at 11 PM, so this is not an immediate street-to-street crawl.
• Three different bar moods are planned: Expect karaoke first, a pub-like stop next, then a club for dancing.
• Food is included: You receive a traditional Khmer meal with either a beer or a soft drink.
• The price is low, but the pace can vary: Some people have had a lively night with hosts such as SK, while others found the early hostel-bar period too long.

What the $12 price really gives you

The $12 fee is best understood as a low-cost social package, not simply a cover charge for several bars. You receive a Mad Monkey singlet, one cocktail, free shots during the night, discounted drinks at Mad Monkey, a Khmer meal with a beer or soft drink, and two draft beers to claim at the bar after the tour.

That is a fair deal if you plan to drink at the starting bar and stay with the group. The 20 percent discount can make a difference over several hours, although your final spending will depend on how many extra drinks you buy. The free shots add a party-game feel, but you do not need to match anyone else’s pace.

The singlet is a small but useful part of the package. It gives the group a shared look and makes it easier to spot the pub crawl crowd as the evening develops. If you collect travel clothing, it also becomes a practical souvenir rather than a paper wristband that disappears by morning.

The food matters more than it may first appear. A meal gives you something substantial before the later bars and helps make the price feel less dependent on alcohol. You choose a beer or soft drink with the Khmer meal, so you can take part without making the whole evening about drinking.

The two draft beers after the tour are another reason the cost can work. They are claimed at Mad Monkey when you return, so the value is better for anyone planning to finish the night at the hostel bar. If you leave immediately after the final stop, you may not make much use of that part of the package.

Starting at the Canopy Bar at 7:30 PM

The night begins at Mad Monkey Siem Reap’s Canopy Bar at 7:30 PM. This opening stage is meant to gather the group, get the first drink in hand, and let people meet before heading out.

You receive your first cocktail as part of the package, and the bar offers 20 percent off drinks throughout the night. Free shots are also planned on the hour. That setup gives the beginning a clear rhythm, especially if the host introduces games or helps people mix.

The catch is timing. The schedule places the departure for Pub Street at 11 PM, which means a sizeable part of the evening takes place at Mad Monkey. One account described roughly two and a half hours in the first hostel bar, with the period feeling slow and poorly organized. Another account felt the first three hours were mainly useful to the bar rather than filled with activities.

I would treat this early period as a social warm-up, not a packed entertainment program. If you enjoy sitting with a drink and meeting new people, it can be useful. If you booked this mainly to move between Siem Reap bars, the wait may test your patience.

The quality of the host has a lot to do with how this part feels. SK received specific praise for being a kind and effective host, while the lower ratings point to a lack of structure. That contrast tells you something practical: the evening can be excellent when the group and host click, but it is not a tightly scripted show from the moment you arrive.

Leaving for Pub Street at 11 PM

The group is scheduled to leave for Pub Street at 11 PM. The supplied timing says the return to Mad Monkey is at 1 AM, although the activity is also described as lasting five hours. In practice, you should expect the exact schedule to shift, since the bar locations and details can change according to the night.

This late departure may suit you if you want a long starting session before going out. It may not suit you if you have only one night in Siem Reap and want to make every hour on Pub Street count. Ask yourself which kind of evening you prefer before booking.

No separate transport is listed, so do not assume a private vehicle between stops. The plan is to leave for the Pub Street venues as a group. Bring only what you need, since large bags and luggage are not allowed.

First stop: karaoke and a chance to join in

The first planned Pub Street venue is a karaoke bar. That is a smart choice for a group that may still be getting acquainted. Singing gives people something to do besides stand around with a drink, and you can join in at whatever level feels comfortable.

You do not need to be a good singer to enjoy this stop. The point is participation and shared amusement, not a polished performance. If you prefer quieter conversation, karaoke may feel loud, but it offers a clear activity after the slower opening hours.

The plan allows about one hour at each bar. That should be enough time to settle in without getting stuck all night, though the actual pace can change. The specific karaoke venue may also vary, so the quality of the room and the style of the evening are not guaranteed in advance.

Second stop: a pub-style break

The next stop is intended to have a pub-like atmosphere. This is likely the easiest part of the night for conversation, particularly after the noise and group participation of karaoke.

I like this middle stop in theory because it breaks up the evening. A crawl made entirely of loud clubs can become tiring, especially if you are meeting people for the first time. A more relaxed bar gives you room to talk, compare plans, and decide how much energy you have left.

Again, the exact location is subject to change. You should see this as a mood in the program rather than a promised named venue. The value comes from the contrast with the karaoke bar, not from a famous address.

Final stop: dancing at a club

The last planned stop is a club where the group can dance. This is the natural finish for a pub crawl and gives the night a stronger ending than simply returning to the hostel after a few drinks.

You will probably get the most from this stop if you enjoy music, group energy, and staying out late. If you prefer small bars, the club may be the least appealing part. That is one reason the three-stop design works reasonably well: you are not forced to spend the entire night in one kind of venue.

The planned return to Mad Monkey is at 1 AM. Since the experience is described as five hours but the displayed times run from 7:30 PM to 1 AM, use the schedule as a guide rather than a guarantee. Venue changes, group pace, and the host’s decisions can affect the finish.

The food and drink breaks have real value

The traditional Khmer meal is one of the strongest practical features. A proper meal gives you a break from drinks and adds local flavor to an evening that could otherwise feel like a standard backpacker bar circuit.

You can choose a beer or soft drink with the meal. That makes the package more flexible than a drink-only crawl. If you are pacing yourself, the soft drink option lets you eat and stay involved without adding more alcohol.

The included cocktail comes earlier at the Canopy Bar, while the meal comes as part of the wider night package. Free shots are offered through the night, and the bar discount applies throughout the evening at Mad Monkey. Be clear about what is included and what is not: extra drinks beyond the package are your responsibility.

The two draft beers available after the tour help stretch the value. I would confirm with the host when and how to claim them, especially if the group returns later than planned. They are an included benefit, so do not forget them if you intend to finish your night at Mad Monkey.

The social side is the main reason to go

This crawl is built around meeting people. The singlet, shared stops, free shots, and group movement all make it easier to begin conversations. You do not need to organize your own route or decide which bar to try next.

That can be a big help if you have just arrived in Siem Reap, are staying alone, or want a simple first night. The experience has received strong praise for its friendly atmosphere and for helping people meet others from different countries. SK, in particular, was singled out as a welcoming host.

At the same time, do not expect the guide to entertain you every minute. One poor account described the first several hours as having no real activities and suggested that people had to create the party themselves. That is useful advice, not a reason to dismiss the whole event. Come ready to talk, join in, and help keep the group lively.

The experience also suits people who prefer a group plan to making decisions late at night. You have a meeting place, an approximate route, included food, and a return point. That removes much of the friction from an evening out.

Who should skip this pub crawl

This activity is for adults only, and children under 18 cannot join. Pregnant women and people with mobility impairments are also listed as unsuitable for the experience.

You should also skip it if you strongly dislike loud bars, karaoke, clubs, or drinking-centered social events. The evening is designed around those things, even though a soft drink is available with the meal.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Bring your passport or ID card, and keep your belongings light. The identity requirement is worth remembering because it is easy to leave an ID in your room when heading out for a casual night.

The crawl may not be right for you if you want an early evening. The meeting time is 7:30 PM, Pub Street is scheduled for 11 PM, and the return is listed at 1 AM. Those hours make it a late activity, not a quick pre-dinner outing.

Practical booking advice for Siem Reap

The activity is conducted in English, so you should be comfortable following instructions and socializing in English. If you need to cancel, you can receive a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours in advance.

The reserve-now, pay-later option is useful if your Siem Reap plans are not settled. You can hold a place without paying immediately, then decide within the booking conditions. Check the available starting time because the activity schedule can vary.

The Canopy Bar and the exact venues may change. I would arrive ready for a flexible night rather than expecting a fixed list of named bars. That flexibility can lead to a better evening if the host adjusts to the group, but it also means the advertised sequence is not a firm promise.

If you booked through GetYourGuide, Mad Monkey offers an extra 5 percent accommodation discount with the code MADTOUR, on top of existing deals, through the Mad Monkey Hostels website. This is a separate lodging perk, but it may help if you are deciding where to stay in Siem Reap.

Should you book the Mad Monkey Siem Reap Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want a low-cost, social night with drinks, food, karaoke, a pub-style stop, and a club. The $12 price is appealing because it includes more than entry to a bar: you get a singlet, cocktail, Khmer meal, drink discounts, free shots, and two draft beers after the tour.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is an efficient tour of Pub Street. The long opening period at Mad Monkey is the central drawback, and the experience appears to depend heavily on the host and the group. A good host such as SK can make the night feel easy and welcoming, while a less organized evening may leave you waiting for the fun to begin.

My practical advice is simple: book this as a social hostel night with a Pub Street finish, not as a fast-moving bar crawl. Arrive with an ID, leave your large bag behind, pace yourself, and be ready to take part. If that sounds like your kind of evening, the price makes this a reasonable choice.

FAQ

Where does the Mad Monkey Siem Reap Pub Crawl begin?

It begins at the Mad Monkey Siem Reap Canopy Bar.

What time should I arrive?

The stated meeting time is 7:30 PM.

How much does the pub crawl cost?

The price is $12 per person.

How long does the experience last?

The activity is described as lasting five hours. The stated schedule runs from 7:30 PM until 1 AM, so the exact timing may vary.

What drinks are included?

You receive one cocktail, free shots during the night, discounted drinks at Mad Monkey, and two draft beers to claim at the bar after the tour.

Is food included?

Yes. You receive a traditional Khmer meal with your choice of a beer or soft drink.

Which types of venues are included?

The planned route includes a karaoke bar, a venue with a pub-like atmosphere, and a club for dancing.

What language is the experience conducted in?

The instructor language is English.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later to keep your plans flexible.