MAC Birmingham Review

I've visited the Mac on several occasions. They have a good selection of shows, talks, music and even craft lessons. Nice location and well used. I'm sure there's something for most people going on here.

Really long wait on drinks and food wouldn't come back

Nice big park, very flat so good for bikes and scooters. The Mac centre itself has a great cafe.

Extremely unpleasant visit (an hour into viewing hammering and drilling in room next door to cinema, followed by strong, heady solvents being vented into room.) Management indifferent and dismissive.

I came here with my mum for a day out at the park and then lunch in the mac. The pizza was exceptionally good but lacks its flavour slightly. Even before it was refurb'd (when I was younger) I would have weird vibes whenever I looked at the mac or rode past it on my bike. It seems lifeless and rough. After it was refurbished we went inside for the first time. We went up to the art gallery and honestly, the art isn't too great. As an art A-level student, it isn't the best I've seen in Birmingham. The whole venue in general seems to lack atmosphere, I still get weird, cold vibes whenever I go inside. The corridors feel like hospital wards, too tidy and sterile, too modern. Overall, if you're looking for a nice place to spend your day at, look elsewhere.

My family and I love going to the MAC as it's a great place to meet friends. My husband and I went to see the awesome Judi Love in a comedy show there. We had something to eat and drink too. It was a 10/10 date night.

Dear Anthony Baker, (the author of the terrible review below)

I'm sorry that you find my tattoos to be offensive but that seems to be a comment made out of your personal prejudices. I have never been anything but friendly, polite and profession and have gone out of my way (as well as many other members of staff) to make sure you were personally well catered for.

I have a great love for art in all forms but especially body art, and my tattoos are an expression of that (Just as your singing is an expression of your love for your art form) And to only comment on my appearance (because I have never been rude or dismissive of you and have always greeted you with a smile and recognised you as being a regular customer) seems unjust and unfair. It's funny that you find my appearance so off putting when earlier in your review you seem to say that you don't feel that mac is bohemian and 'hippyish' anymore yet you have an issue with tattoos.... what is my appearance if not just another subculture? I would say mac is the perfect place, being a centre for the arts, to have artistic people working there.

For me mac is a vibrant and creative public space that shows a fantastic range of Free art for the public to enjoy. It is a great family venue and I have always felt lucky to have it on my doorstep for myself and my 2 children to enjoy the facilities (well before i started working there) I used to come to mac when I was a child (I was even a member of the mac the cat club) And It is now far superior to the old mac as a general centre for the arts. It is now light, airy and spacious, the free gallery spaces have tripled and show some fantastic touring art seen in other prestigious galleries such as the Tate. Its still holds an incredible amount of courses for old and young alike. as well as having 2 theatres and a cinema (which considering there is only the one screen manages to show nearly every current film as well as some great individual cinema and hosts films that are part of film festivals that most cinemas in birmingham don't show. As well as showing NT live screening) Which I would not say only tend to the extreme...

The cafe area Is a pleasant environment to eat in and I feel its very unfair to say the food isn't good (I eat there every time I work and think the food is very well made. They also have a fantastic selection of freshly baked cakes). It is fully accessible and caters well for young children. It holds food markets with delicious locally made food and supplies as well as having craft markets with locally made crafts!

mac may not be perfect but it constantly strives better itself. It sends its staff on numerous training courses and encourages them to learn everything they can about the arts.

I hope that we can make your future visits more enjoyable ones and look forward to welcoming you again in the future.

No discounts on soya drinks when bring your own cup. Poor. When questioned no plausible explanation given!

Not a very inviting place. The Cafe, although in a park, has no views of the surrounding area. It's windows beings some 10 feet above ground level. Clever planning. The coffee's not too good either.

First visit for a few years. Looks as it has always has, rather dated and tired.

Love art space great live shows always something going on at mac

Wonderful venue for live performance, film and exhibition.

A great place for the family. Lots of activities and shows for children that help them explore art and culture. Definitely recommended for a Sunday day out.

I love the different kinds of food, a place to meet people, I am with songwriters circle, and all kinds of music tastes, e.c.t beautiful park too, staff very helpful jstar.

Nice space and decent food at the cafe. Have enjoyed many interesting exhibitions here and great place for taking the grandchildren.

Great place to meet up,chill,work or get involved in events.

My first visit I loved it. A good space with wide range of art experiences. Saw a brilliant Malawian production of The Tempest, including dance and music. The cafe should advertise their food menu better. I had a sandwich because I didn't know they served hot food... no menu in sight. Plenty of cheap parking outside.

Travelled over specially to catch the last showing of a film which had only been on for 4 days. I arrived about 12 minutes after the film start and the box office assistant simply said "no late admissions are allowed" and refused to sell me a ticket.
I'd had problems parking due to an india cricket match at Edgbaston over the road and explained this, all the normal parking down in the park was taken. But the box office assistant just refused me entry.
I called in from my car and asked to make a complaint, it was the same person who answered the phone and they would connect me to the duty manager. That person told the duty manager a complete lie before connecting me, as they knew they would be in trouble for poor customer service. That person told the Duty manager they would radio up and see if late admission was possible, and this had been offered to me, when it hadn't under any circumstance!
Duty manager offered to admit me nearly 30 minutes late but i was back in my car already, and had quite simply had my day ruined by a person intent on humiliation.
Had a 60-mile round trip for nothing.
Couldnt ever recommend the MAC to anyone and will never go again.

We booked tickets here for a show (In the Night Garden, hugely recommended btw) for our two young ones.

Arrived in Birmingham early, followed signs for mac and nature park and it was as easy to get to as our last visit. The centre has excellent wheelchair access, is well signposted and free to enter. The outside has a lake with numerous swan boats to hire, inflatable slides, rides, a playground etc. Ice cream van too. Lots of seating and shade.

Went to an event last night at The Mac, upon booking it did not state it was a standing only event so when we arrived to be told there were no seats was v disappointing.
Got in the room there were seats stacked up which we proceeded to put out ourselves. The guy in charge (maybe the manager) was not happy about this even though some of us had to sit down due to ailments. He was rude aggressive and generally unhelpful, clearly not in the right job as he should have good customer skills.
After warm up act finished we were told to leave the room and wait outside for the headline act to 'set up' , like a bunch of naughty school kids.
The group I was with have all stated we will not be returning for future events purely based on the rudeness and disorganisation of the staff.
Real letdown

Unexpected pleasure of good discussion group after screening og Ben and Ara

A gem of a place located in great proxomity to everything. Fond memories.

Recently had the vegetarian halloumi burger in the bar. The halloumi was burnt and the mushrooms tasted old - shockingly bad - almost inedible. Pulled back from a completely failed experience by the gorgeous sweet potato chips and the friendly service.

Nice modern building with Free WiFi which is quick too.

I learned New things the place so Relaxed so much of fun friendly staff

Great place. Always lots going on. Shame their funding is being slashed.

Nordic walking taster session. 9-45 group excellent well explained and fun

Have always live the MAC centre. So much in offer despite it not being the largest place. Wonderful art fairs and cinema events. Being set within Canon Hill park is very useful too for those preferring outdoors events.

Probably the top venue for arts and entertainment in the Midlands and not adequately supported by the locals. Always something interesting on. The "Edinbrum" comedy previews are exceptional but never have big enough audiences.

The mac is a fantastic place to visit for anyone interested in art, it is well equipped and has helpful and friendly staff. I highly recommend the clay workshops to anyone interested.