The MAC

I recently ran an event at the MAC Theatre in Belfast for some clients. Clare and the team were brilliant in helping us prepare for and deliver the event on the day.
Our clients seemed to enjoy the modern style surroundings and the Factory room that we used was airy and light.
The catering was tasty and the team were really responsive to our needs.
Would definitely recommend to anyone who is hosting an event in Belfast.

Great venue for an exhibit or conference. Not so much for a night out or event, as it tends to be a little on the pricey side.

This review is for the restaurant at the Mac which is ran by Yellow Door called Native, I had an amazing 3 course Christmas dinner last night, a gorgeous chicken salad to start which is on their BAU menu throughout the year which was packed with seeds and pulses which made it a very filling start to the meal, the braised beef for the main was melt in the mouth and a citrus tart to finish, I was with a group of 10 people and every course there were clean plates all round. We had pre ordered our meals as we were attending a show, and the staff were very pleasant and helpful, the only downside was it was a bit cold due to where we were sitting at the window near the door, the staff did try to help fix this situation however the temperature is controlled by the Mac itself and not the restaurant so it was beyond their control to fix it although they did make sure no-​one hovered in the doorway and kept it open which did help a little, so I can’t mark them down for that. The only thing that could be improved was the service at the bar it was a bit slow and not very well staffed which on a show night I thought was unusual. Would highly recommend the food and looking forward to returning

What a way to kick-​start December by heading to my first Christmas show of the season! I was delighted to be able to take my sister and my two cousins, aged 6 and 7, to see Rumpelstiltskin at The Mac on Tuesday. The play is a new twist on the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale in which a Miller lies to the King and says that his daughter Emily can spin straw into gold. Full of despair, a mysterious creature appears to Emily and says he will do it for her– but in exchange for a series of gifts! The show stars three local actors Doireann McKenna (as the feisty Emily), Jo Donnelly (as the dark and scary Rumpelstiltskin) and Michael Lavery (as the pompous King), as well as Tom Giles (as the bumbling Miller). The King was hilarious and had me laughing all night– definitely some humour in there for adults! There was great audience interaction and my little cousin was nearly out of her seat hoping to get picked to speak to them. The cast did a brilliant job entertaining both the kids and the adults, and I think we all talked about it in the car home. The MAC is such a great venue for shows so do go along if you get the chance!

Great place in the centre of Belfast to go see a show, look at some art or just try a coffee and bun. This place is ideally located right next to an array of restaurants, bars and coffee houses. Parking is very convenient with the exit to the nearest parking lot right next door. They also do plenty of family and price friendly events through the year from xmas tree lights to Sunday story Time.

I must must perturbed by plastic beer bottles, this did intend throw me. The carnival of delights was amazing. I find the buildings itself a tad austere. But it is in keeping with the surroundings. As there is always so many intetesting events held at the MAC, this can be forgiven.

Great to have a building like this able to show all types of art and creativity.

First class modern museum in the heart of Belfast. Usually a few interesting exhibitions always on. Café downstairs and «canteen» restaurant upstairs. (Not a canteen) very lovely selection of local food. Mains around £14 and desserts £5
They have several nights like Cabaret and plays and have a bar with local brews and gins.

The MAC is one of my favourite spots in Belfast and as a lover of modern architecture and concrete it’s basically heaven to me ! Always interesting exhibitions and art and it also has a lovely theatre space, however it comes into it’s own as a place to lunch or have dinner and to meet up with people either for business or socializing in a really nice environment. Food is generally excellent and lunch tends to be very good value.

I love the MAC, its a great place to visit in the heart of Belfast. Whether you are calling in to see a show, or view some art, or just having a quiet pre-​dinner drink or coffee its great experience. The interior itself is a work of art (As is the exterior according to my Architectually inclined friends) Despite the cast concrete and hardwoods its an extremely comfortable place to chill with an almost organic feel.
Anytime I have been in the staff are very attentive and nice and the food is tasty too. (I think its provided by yellow door, though not 100% on that)
With a diverse amount of attractions and facilities the MAC really is a cool little badge on the Belfast scene’s belt. I’d recommend to anyone, even if its just popping your head in for a wee look.

This review is for the Native Coffee shop on the ground floor rather than The Mac itself as I haven’t been to any of the exhibitions in donkeys years. The café on the ground floor is excellent — rustic décor with exposed concrete and small intimate booths ideal for meetings.
Great service from the staff in the café. We went for a few tray bakes and a coffee which were just sublime. The tray bakes were just on the right level of sweet without making us too high for our conference call. There’s free Wifi in the café making a it a great place to work.
Really need to book out a day to have a proper explore of The MAC. I always see exhibitions I want to visit online but never get round to actually going upstairs. I’ll need to fix this very soon!
Prepare for a review update in the coming weeks… to be continued…

Stumbled upon this absolutely whopper piece of architecture on my way for lunch and had to go in to have a little gawk. I never made it actually as far as the exhibits, but from what I saw from the epic entrance and current collection roll call, there’s enough here to please even the most pernickety of art lover.
There’s a gorgeous café on the ground floor of the cavernous space with friendly staff, good coffee, snug booths and tasty cakes.
Also there’s string art. Massive string art. It’s the coolest.
Can’t wait to go back.

In my opinion the MAC (Metropolitan Arts Centre) is one of Belfast’s best places. It’s an arts centre housed in a beautiful, modern, spacious building right in the middle of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. Home to art galleries, theatres, a café, bar and restaurant and covering genres such as visual art, music, theatre and dance. You really need to keep an eye on their website to find out what’s happening as there’s a constantly changing assortment of activities, exhibitions, plays and events. They serve some pretty awesome cocktails and wine too. Splendid spot — you’re bound to find something to capture your interest here.

We recently hired out the Mac for a work function at which we were out to impress.
The venue did not let us down. The edgy modern design made a great change from the usual ‘corporate function room’. Most guests commented that that it was their first time at the Mac and they were very much impressed.
The professionalism of the staff shone through, ensuring the presentation went smoothly and covering up any bumps along the way with ease.
If none of the above strikes a cord with you I would recommend the Mac on the breakfast
abundance of fresh fruit was served alongside possibly the best bacon or sausage ciabattas known to man.
A venue to impress

Even if there is nothing on show that tickles my cultural fancy, the MAC is still worth a visit for the architecture alone. It is a gorgeous building. Get the lift up to the Upper Gallery for a beautiful view of the main block, and you’ll be surprised how pretty a load of coloured threads can look.
There is always loads on here, and I’ve seen talks and stand up and Warhol and unknowns, but whatever you see, it’ll be an experience. Currently there is a good international art prize exhibition on so check out the random fort with ping pong balls (if you see it you’ll understand!) before it goes.

Ok, so the MAC isn’t yet finished, so I know there’s no way I could review it, but I think the building is worth looking at, as well as the MAC as a theatre (or the Old Museum Arts Centre as they used to be known)
This new theatre is going to be huge. I used to work round the corner and saw it get bigger and bigger each day. Apparently it will have (according to their website) «three major visual art galleries, two theatres, a dance studio, education, workshop and rehearsal spaces, offices for resident arts groups as well as a resident artist and (of ourse) a cool café and bar.» Sounds impressive, right?
I’d say it will be. Plus, the calibre of the output will be high. I went to a few shows in their old premises, the Old Museum Arts Centre, and was alsways blown away. That theatre was a tiny, pokey little place, with no catering, very little lobby space and the feeling that you were actually just in someone’s house! But all that aside, they put on some great shows. I saw one a few years ago, Gagarin Way, that I still remember clearly to this day.
So, even though it hasn’t yet opened, I’m really excited to see what this ambitious theatre can do with all the facilities it will now have at its disposal.