Nightlife in Phnom Penh gets organized. This pub crawl pairs a Mad Monkey singlet and free shots with a guided bar-hop aimed at the big scene at LOVE. The trade-off is that the alcohol can be hit-or-miss, and the group can feel crowded.

What makes this tour worth a look is the structure: you meet at Mad Monkey Phnom Penh, get welcome drinks early, and then move through a few set hotspots before ending at Club Love. You do want to come ready to drink smart, bring cash, and accept that the vibe can lean party-first over comfort-first.

Key things to know before you go

• Singlet included so you can spot the group fast and look the part for the night
• Free shots at the start and one included beer or house mixer
• Fixed bar-hop rhythm: rooftop-style stop, then Duplex Belgian Tavern, then LOVE/Club Love
• Cash is required (so budget it before you arrive)
• Crowd size can run big (one review put it around 50 people)
• Expect watered-down free shots and possible schedule friction if you want straight club music

Entering Mad Monkey Phnom Penh: singlet, shots, and fast check-in

The tour’s starting point is Mad Monkey Phnom Penh, right where the hostel energy begins. I like this setup because you get an easy social anchor from the first minute: the singlet is included, and that means you can find your people without hunting around.

The check-in process is also reported as organized, which matters on a nightlife tour. When a group is moving through multiple venues, a smooth start helps you avoid the awkward catch-up that can eat into your evening.

One useful angle from reviews: most participants come from the Mad Monkey hostel crowd. That means you’re likely walking into a young, party-leaning atmosphere. In one case, a 40-year-old participant felt like the oldest by a wide margin, but still found the people friendly and the mood fun.

7:00 PM start at Mad Monkey: how the first drinking wave works

You meet at 7:00 PM at Mad Monkey Phnom Penh, and free shots start on the hour. If you’re hoping to go straight from the hostel bar into the crawl, this timing is convenient. You’re not waiting around with the group only to start drinking later.

Right after that, the early portion includes welcome refreshments at the Mad Monkey Hostel Phnom Penh for about two hours. This is good value if you want a slow build rather than a sudden hard push into loud clubs.

But do be thoughtful with the free alcohol. One review was blunt that the free alcohol was so bad it ruined their night because they felt sick. That doesn’t mean you’ll have the same reaction, but it’s a clear signal: don’t treat the included shots as a guaranteed high-quality drink.

The first stop (10:30 PM): rooftop views, but set expectations

Around 10:30 PM you head to the first nightlife stop, described as a rooftop bar. This is the part that can feel like a mental reset: you get a chance to look around, catch city lights, and regroup before you go deeper into the club stretch.

One caution from a review: the rooftop reality wasn’t what they expected, with a second-floor setup and a view of another building’s wall. That doesn’t make it useless, but it does mean you should treat the rooftop promise as flexible. If you’re the type who needs a true skyline panorama, manage expectations early.

Shots can also be watered down here and at later stops, based on a review mentioning diluted free shots in every place. If you’re expecting strong included pours, plan to pace yourself and decide what’s worth buying versus taking only the free items.

Practical prep tip: eat before you meet. Even if the tour gives you welcome refreshments, having food in your stomach will help you enjoy the music and movement instead of fighting nausea.

Duplex Belgian Tavern at 11:15 PM: the party stays social

At about 11:15 PM you move to the Duplex Belgian Tavern, also referred to as the Belgium Bar. The tour time at this stop is about one hour, so it’s not a sit-and-stay situation. You’re there to drink, socialize, and keep the momentum going.

This segment is where the tour really leans into the pub crawl formula: short window, group energy, and “next stop” anticipation. If you like meeting people and moving with a plan, that one-hour structure can be a plus.

One review noted that the group stayed a bit long at a karaoke bar part of the night, even though some people wanted a club-scene vibe sooner. Since karaoke isn’t explicitly mapped in the stops list you get beforehand, I treat this as a “night may evolve” reminder. If you’re someone who needs straight dance-club music from the start, keep your expectations adaptable.

On the plus side, drinks are reported as cheap, and the tour includes discounted drinks throughout. That combination can make this hour feel more relaxed financially, especially if you decide you want something beyond the one included beer or house mixer.

LOVE in Phnom Penh (Club Love): the final push into the night

The night ends at LOVE in Phnom Penh, with the plan landing there around midnight (times can change). This is the tour’s payoff moment: you arrive when the scene is already cooking, and you’re more likely to find the crowd in full nightlife mode.

There’s also a bit of a performance angle built in. You’re encouraged to bring dance energy, and the included Mad Monkey singlet is meant to help the group stay visible. That matters because it’s easier to move together when the crowd gets dense.

If you don’t care much about clubs, this is still useful as a guided entry point. You get to skip the “where do we go now?” decision fatigue, and you end up at a venue you can actually picture when you look up the name later.

But remember the vibe may be louder than you want. One review complained the bars weren’t that exciting for them, so if your ideal night is chill drinks and conversation, a club-heavy ending might not match your style.

Price and value: what $12 buys in real terms

The price is $12 per person for a one-day tour that includes a tour guide, a complimentary singlet, one free beer or house mixer, plus free shots at Mad Monkey and discounted drinks during the crawl.

Is that a steal? If you plan to drink anyway, it’s a solid deal because you’re bundling admission-like value (guide + organized movement + included drinks) into a very low upfront cost. The singlet alone is part of the value because it’s useful during the night, and it also signals you’re part of the organized group.

Where value can shrink is if the included alcohol quality doesn’t work for you. One negative review said the free drinks were so bad they felt sick. If you’re picky about taste or you know you react badly to cheap liquor, that risk matters more than the low price.

Also, crowding can reduce enjoyment. One review called it packed at around 50 people, which can make it harder to hear yourself think, find space, or have a slow, comfortable bar-hopping pace. If you want more breathing room, you may find the “value” comes with a social trade-off.

Crowd size and pacing: when a packed group helps or hurts

A big part of how this tour feels is the group size. One review described a packed group of about 50, and they still found the participants kind and the mood festive. That tells me the tour can work well if you’re open to energy and you enjoy being part of the same flow as everyone else.

But crowding can also make the night feel rigid. Another review said they overstayed at a karaoke bar when they wanted more club music. Even if the overall plan is structured, the real night can shift based on what’s happening inside venues, and you may feel like you’re waiting for the vibe to catch up.

Times are also subject to change. So even if you like the idea of exact steps, treat this as a guided nightlife sequence rather than a precision timetable.

My advice: if you hate waiting, plan your expectations for the middle of the night. The earlier drinking and the late-club finish are the anchors; the middle is where vibe mismatches can happen.

What to bring (and how to avoid the common mistakes)

Bring cash. That’s explicitly recommended, and it’s the most practical thing you can do to avoid scrambling mid-tour when you want a drink or a snack.

Wear your Mad Monkey singlet. You’ll look coordinated with the group, and it makes it easier to locate your people if you get separated in a crowded venue.

Also, prep for the free-shots reality. At least one review described the shots as diluted, and one review described included alcohol as disastrous for their stomach. That means your best move is simple: pace yourself and don’t rely on free drinks to carry the whole night.

If you’re sensitive to alcohol, consider taking only part of what’s offered. You can still enjoy the tour structure, the social energy, and the final club stop without turning every included shot into a dare.

Who should book this Phnom Penh Pub Crawl?

This is aimed at adults. It’s not suitable for children under 18, and it’s also not suitable for pregnant women. If you’re in that eligible group and you want a guided entry into the Phnom Penh nightlife scene, it’s a reasonable fit.

I especially think it works for:

• People staying at Mad Monkey (or who want that hostel-born party vibe)
• Solo travelers who want an organized social night
• Folks who like bar hopping with included drinks and discounted rounds

It may not work as well for:

• Anyone who gets sick easily from cheap or low-quality liquor
• People who want a quiet, intimate night out
• Anyone who hates crowded groups or wants club music from minute one

Also consider age comfort. One review described a much older participant feeling like the oldest, so if you want to party but prefer a more mixed-age crowd, you might feel the demographic tilt.

Should you book this pub crawl?

I’d book it if you want a low-cost, guide-led way to hit a few Phnom Penh nightlife stops, with a singlet that helps you stay with the group and included drinks that keep spending low. The ending at LOVE/Club Love is the most important reason to go, because that’s where the tour is clearly aiming to deliver the full-night atmosphere.

I would skip it if drink quality is your top priority, or if you need a tightly controlled nightlife plan with no crowd and no karaoke detours. One bad-drink experience can sour an entire evening, and crowding can turn a fun bar hop into a shoulder-to-shoulder wait.

FAQ

What time does the Phnom Penh Pub Crawl meet?

You meet at 7:00 PM at the Mad Monkey Phnom Penh bar. Free shots start on the hour.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs for one day and follows a single night schedule, with stops that include a rooftop bar in the later evening, a Belgium Bar stop, and an end at LOVE.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

It starts at Mad Monkey Phnom Penh. It ends at LOVE in Phnom Penh (Club Love).

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a tour guide, a complimentary singlet, one free beer or house mixer, free shots at Mad Monkey, and discounted drinks throughout the tour.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring cash. You may also want to wear your Mad Monkey singlet since it’s part of how the group stays together.

Is it suitable for children or pregnant women?

No. The tour is not suitable for children under 18 and it is not suitable for pregnant women.