Mac’s Brew Bar

Although this might be a pub, do not be fooled.
We have gone here twice just to eat the Classic American Cheeseburger. The best burger in Auckland in my opinion. They use Angus beef for the pattie, crunchy tangy pickles, mustard, cheese and all those combined to make the best flavour combo that hits your mouth.
If you are looking for a really good burger and home made fries then you have to visit Macs Brew Bar.

While I am not a bit fan of mac’s beers, I must admit this bar is really really well done. Modern, service is outstanding and even with a lot of customers and the snacks food are very decent. Go there to chill on normal day or if you want to rock the dance floor go on thrusday night. You wont be dissapointed. Well surprised.

UPDATE TO MY RECENT UPDATE. No Really!
Soooo because we really, really liked the vibe here we came back. Thank goodness Imi was here and she rocked it! Just a charmer and just outstanding.
Not only did she hook up our spillage friends but she made great suggestions for dinner and drink.
OBTW there was live acoustic guitar (on Sunday from 3:00 pm until 7:30!)

There was a couple in the patio and they brought their sweet dog. She (the dog) recognized our crowd as doggie people and she (again the dog) came over and butt snuggled with our clan while her (again the dog) mommy and dad finished their dinner. So cute and so one of the things we LOVE about Takapuna Beach!
Had the fish and chips and a nice merlot … Yes I know. Stop it!
Anyway it was great. My spillage Friend had the veggie gnocchi and it was great. She also got dessert — its the Mousse. Omg! I won’t describe it the way she did but it was complimentary. ;) Looked awesome and she loved it.
Other folks had the steak and chips M-​O-​N-​E-​Y! Solid evening, great food, and Imi was AWESOME. She Rocks! We’ll be back!
Thanks Imi! Don’t tell her you know this but its short for Imogen) but nobody other than her SO calls her that. No really don’t tell her!

Mac’s Brew Bar is a stock-​standard Macs bar, but it does have a nice big courtyard at the front, perfect for lazy Sunday drinking sessions. They serve yummy gourmet pizzas along with a great range of beers.
It’s come a long way from its predecessor bar, R’Totos — which used to serve the riff raff of Takapuna and was quite the place to be seen on a Thursday night if you were a Shore teenager.
Since the opening of The Commons I’d probably prefer to drink there if I was out in Takapuna but there’ll always be a place for Mac’s Brew Bar.

Once upon a time, long before I was of age to frequent such establishments, this place was known as R’Totos. Older friends of mine tell me this was one of very few night life offerings on the Shore at the time, and as such was a rite of passage for the pretty young things of the day. Since then it’s received a spruce up and is now a Mac’s Brewbar. It remains in equal doses nicely chilled out while the sun’s out, and rowdy on a good night. The location two minutes from Takapuna beach is a winner, and the terrace area has a lovely summery vibe that evokes the nearby beach perfectly — kumara fries with one of the Mac’s beers on tap is basically the perfect arvo/​evening.
And as far as the nights go — as I recall there are a couple of All Black wingers that discovered during the 2011 world cup how fun this place can get!

Well you can’t go wrong here at Mac’s. Even if it’s not the best experience ever, it definitely won’t be bad. How could it be? The location is great, the setting is beautiful, great décor, delicious food, great selection of drinks and goooood vibes! It’s just got to be a winner.
For me, Mac’s means a serving of the BIGGEST kumera fries you’ve ever seen. It’s pretty much a jug full of whole kumeras. They are amazing and served with delicious aioli. It also means a few too many wines or a jug of cider between friends!
At nightfall this place really cranks. The last time I went on a Thursday night it was crawling with party-​goers. Most seemed to be in the age bracket of 18 – 19 and there was lots of female skin on show… if you know what I mean. The dance floor was cranking and I had a really good boogie. But I have to ask, why is the dance floor plopped between the entrance and the toilet? I often wonder if there’s a way to put the DJ towards the back of the bar so the entrance wasn’t a sardine fest. Let’s just say if you’re sitting outside enjoying a few drinks and you need to go to the toilet… give yourself some time because you wouldn’t want to soil yourself while clambering through the sweaty dance crowd to reach the bathroom.

R’Totos, you’ve had an excellent makeover. I almost didn’t recognise you.
Gone is the stage area where the young folk (maybe me once or twice) used to shake their thang on a Thursday night. And the sticky floor and bar area.
Now the Mac’s Brewbar has an elegant terrace area, and equally classy yet understated new bar with heavy wooden furniture and a neutral background. The good bits of R’Toto are still there too: the location; the high ceilings and the tasty bar menu. Definitely a winner for a casual drink.

This bar is as good as they get. Has such a summery vibe about it and it comes alive at night. I settled in here for a meal of pizza with a friend one night before a night of drinking commenced. Thursdays here are renowned for their rowdiness! I got the spiced lamb pizza which was ¹⁰⁄₁₀. I also loved the fries which were served in one of those deep fryer spatula things. Very novelty. After we had finished eating we moved outside to commence our drinking and met up with more friends. It was one of my favourite places to go out with friends in summer; the great music and the beautiful outdoor area always make for a superb night. My favourite thing about this place has to be the elaborate fairy lights they have up in the courtyard out front, I have a deep appreciation for anything that has fairy lights and tend to pick restaurants based on fairy light presence. Mac’s on Hurstmere is a must do whether you are having a quiet lunch or a rowdy night it is so flexible with anyone’s needs!

Mac’s Brew Bar on Hurstmere Road is one amongst a family of Mac’s Bars all over Auckland. The bars have a really great reputation, and this one is my favourite. Situated a stones throw from Takapuna Beach, summer vibes are always the go. This is helped by the massive courtyard out front, complete with fire places, trees and fairy lights.
Inside the bar the décor is super creative. Awesome lighting, kitsch furniture and dark wooden floors. The menu is a real crowd pleaser; think small plates, gourmet food and your typical pub fare. All are delicious and have helpful hints on what Mac’s beer to pair with which.
Mac’s Brew Bar is great for lunch, but is also a happening place come nightfall. The dj comes out, the dance floor fills up and the summer vibes continue. With things like special Sunday roasts and star DJ’s, there’s always something going on here. Perfect to lap up the sun during summer, or enjoy a yummy beverage and meal by the fire in Winter.