Is Swoop The Party Bus To End All Party Buses?
An Uber-style app for booking a party bus — Swoop lets Los Angeles groups fare-check a Mercedes Sprinter van, BYOB included, before they book.
It's probably as classy as you can get for a bus full of drunk partiers.
Our reviewerAn Uber-Style App For a Genuinely Hard Booking Problem
Booking a party bus has always meant a Yelp search followed by hours of research, for something most people need only rarely. The Swoop app changes that by working almost exactly like Uber: load it up, drop a pin, and see what party buses are available nearby.
The catch, for now, is coverage — outside Los Angeles, the map comes up empty, though Swoop has plans to expand. Inside LA, the fleet is made up of Mercedes Benz Sprinter vans that hold up to 16 people, and you're not just allowed to bring your own drinks, Swoop actively encourages it.
Pricing runs $25 base plus $0.55 per minute and $4.25 per mile, and the app lets you fare-check a route before committing, so there's no guessing at cost. The one real limitation is that Swoop is built to get a group from point A to B rather than to reserve the van for an open-ended block of time.
New users get $5 off with a valid promo code, and referring friends earns another $5 in credit for each one who signs up. For an app filling a genuinely underserved niche, Swoop is a strong first outing.
Why We Love It
- Uber-like interface makes booking straightforward
- Modern Mercedes Benz Sprinter vans hold up to 16 people
- BYOB is explicitly encouraged, not just tolerated
- Fare-check feature shows the cost upfront before booking
- $5 new-user discount plus $5 referral credit per friend invited
Considerations
- Only available in Los Angeles at launch
- Can't book the van for an open block of time — it's designed for point-to-point trips only
What It's Like to Book
The app loads a map showing your location and any available party buses nearby, exactly like Uber's core flow — check availability, fare-check the route, and book.
Once booked, the Sprinter vans themselves are a step above the usual party bus — modern, well-kept, and with drinking explicitly welcomed on board.
Promo Code on File
New Swoop users can save $5 with promo code 8y11nwk; referring a friend earns another $5 in credit.
We Recommend This To Readers Who:
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Planning a group night out in LA
Swoop currently only covers the Los Angeles area.
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Want to see the price before booking
The fare-check feature shows the point-to-point cost upfront.
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Bringing your own drinks
Swoop actively encourages BYOB on board.
A Closer Look
How Swoop Prices a Ride
Fares are metered rather than flat, based on time and distance.
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Base Fare | $25 |
| Per Minute | $0.55 |
| Per Mile | $4.25 |
Good to Know
A Genuine Gap in the Market, Filled Well
Swoop brings Uber-style simplicity to a booking problem that's always been a headache — Los Angeles-only for now, but a strong start.
