Macken's Bar in Down

Fantastic food in this gem of a place

Great place for a pint after walking in the mountains

Atmosphere, restaurant building, menu etc are great and it could and should be very good. However, I paid £24 pounds for my meal. The main part was a lovely piece of sea trout! Classy but burnt, ruined! Also this calibre of dish and many of the others require a better choice of wines. 3 white on the menu and the one I would consider drinking had run out. I wouldn't drink the other two so disaster! A better wine menu and more care required to make this more than a bar which is where it seems to want to go!

Brilliant music but unfriendly barman

Had a Sunday lunch today for 4 - the advert outside says great pub grub, but it was so much more than that! The food was excellent with seafood linguine, lobster and roast beef all beautiful followed by sticky toffee pudding, chocolate brownies and passion fruit crème brûlée - absolutely gorgeous, excellent service, good atmosphere and great value for money. We will definitely be back for something I would describe as fine dining without the tiny portions or pretentiousness - well done

Was the Best bar in or near Newcastle

Outstanding food and drinks service every time we visit.

Great pint of Guinness but was underwhelmed with the food especially as it's a new menu and chef. Hopefully it'll be better next time

I can't recommend Macken's enough! I went last weekend with a group of 20. The staff were incredible, the food was delicious and it was such a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Matthew in particular was so helpful but all the staff were so lovely and went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. I will definitely be back.

Really disappointing experience tonight - A man made inappropriate comments about one of my friends based on what she was wearing/her weight and then proceeded to give her dirty looks when we ignored him and sat back down. He continued this behaviour after the women of the group confronted him. But once one of our male friends questioned him, he then decided to start a fight and punched our friend in the face. It took ages for him to be kicked out after this and apparently he is friends with the owner so perhaps this is why. We were then “asked to leave” aka kicked out even though we did not cause the drama. We always go to this spot for group gatherings but will not be back after this experience. This review is not aimed at all staff members as some of them are absolutely lovely and so helpful, just aimed at the bar as a whole for how this situation was dealt with. When we tried to explain to staff what had happened he told my friend “you should have gone to a member of staff” but the situation escalated quickly and most of us know how difficult it can be to go up to another man about issues like this and explain why it is inappropriate. Surely we aren’t still victim blaming in 2024?

The bar is a great example of a friendly neighbourhood pub serving great Guinness, we ate there tonight in their newly reopened restaurant and the food, service and wine were superb. Try the steak sandwich, brilliant.

Great Boxing Day Trad music session . Fab atmosphere.

The quality of the food is fantastic, and not expensive.

Lovely spot for a pint and great lively music on Wednesday evenings!

Excellent place, great food, friendly service. The Wednesday night Jam, is not too be missed.

What an absolutely charming pub!

The food here is exceptional, fantastic service and friendly atmosphere. Always enjoy anytime I visit.

Nice small bar with great atmosphere and a great night out

Mackens bar is very popular for food service is very good but the menu could be more extensive

Had our staff Xmas dinner tonight. We were all very happy with our meals and service. Nice cozy atmosphere, might give it another try sometime soon.

Food excellent, staff really friendly. I can honestly say I have never been in such a clean bar, it was a absolute pleasure to eat and drink here.

Night out with friends. Friendly staff ,cheap prices. Pool room and live music

What a great find. Excellent quality food, a menu small enough not to confuse…. Lesley behind the bar was an absolute treasure… full of fun with great local knowledge. Will definitely be going again.

Wonderful evening at Macken's! Lively atmosphere and great craic playing with the local musicians.

The maniger still lives like it,s 1970/1980,s . Very secteren views. I was barred because i was a different relegion. Other than that the food is good, bar staff good.

Fabulous food - highly recommend.

Food was excellent. Would go back again.

Grt craic Food and service..will defo become regulars..

By far the nicest resturant in Newcastle, the first time we have ate in it and certainly wont be the last. We had an american visitor and she said it was michelin star 🤩🤩

Great wee spot, food fabulous as always with friendly and helpful, couldn't ask for more

Good atmosphere and live music is always a bonus

Friendly staff. Good evening of music on Wed.

Had a very pleasant evening .Very friendly staff in comfortable surroundings topped off with an excellent inexpensive meal

Nice little local bar. Nice atmosphere and even better Guinness.

Really great Irish bistro bar...

Gorgeous food and great atmosphere!

Had a beautiful late lunch. Staff were lovely. Great sized portions.

Brilliant pub and incredible food! I'd recommend the steak. Good Guinness too

Food was delicious and traditional music gave a great ambience, highly recommend 👌

Great food, friendly, helpful and efficient staff.

Great traditional Irish pub. Craic is always good and everyone is always very welcoming!

The best wee bar in Newcastle the pints are great and the craic is good. Wednesday night great with the jamming session with local musicians

Great entertainment. Super friendly helpful staff and totally spotless surroundings. Can't wait to go back.

Great bar with fantastic staff and food is 2nd to none.

Traditional cosy Bar. Nice lounge. Nice dining area. Good food. Friendly service. Good TV for football or racing or whatever. Good music n artists often. Good variety of drinks. Good craic.

Great for food and pints. Lovely staff

We had fish and chips, scampi and fish tacos and it was absolutely divine ! Crispy on the outside and tender and soft on the inside, very flavoursome at a decent price. The staff are very friendly and welcoming especially Taylor who attended us !

Great little bar. Staff friendly and welcoming and one of the highlights of our recent stay in Newcastle.

Great bar to be in. Friendly staff and great food 😁

Absolutely brilliant food, average drink prices, and abysmal service times. More than just our group left waiting to take orders and seemingly clueless staff (except behind the bar)

had booked a table for half seven and by half eight no drink or food so we left wouldn't feed my dog in there now there loss

Food was great ... also the stout was very creamy and smooth ... Great spot 👌

Staff where very friendly and professional. The restaurant was smart and modern. Food was a bit of a let down, I ordered there steak sandwich. When it arrived it was just about warm, like it had been sitting a little to long. But as they had just reopened after lock down. I'd cut them some slack. Would go back

Most amazing food we have had this year. If I could I'd give it 10🤩 definitely one to try, the staff were awesome so helpful and attentive. I had muscle and scallops best every complement to the Chef. This is definitely a hidden gem we will be back. Thanjs so much for the best meal of 2020 😍😍

Great staff fantastic food definitely recommend to anyone.

Really tasty food, good atmosphere

My sister works there great wee bar 🙂

Great friendly staff and great atmosphere

Great staff great food great beer what else do need😎

I Don't recommend this place the bar manager &his friends have serious sectarian views.

Excellent service, all staff are lovely and the food is amazing. We have eaten a few times in mackens and always made to feel welcome x

Best bar in co down, rarely head anywhere else!

Food was delicious and service was excellent!

Excellent food, staff & atmosphere

A fantastic bar. Marty is a brilliant bar man. Best pints in Newcastle

Great atmosphere friendly staff great jammi g session every Wednesday night

My wee local, best of craic and amazing staff

Great evening craic at its best. !!!

Great service and food was delicious.

Nice homely comfy pub nice atmosphere and decor

Historical pub on promenade in beautiful Newcastle, great staff, friendly service,drop by for a bite to eat and leisurely drink.

A very friendly bar, good music

Went here for the last Sunday of the month traditional Irish music night. Enjoyed a couple of hours live music with fiddlers and flute player. Starts about 10pm. Reasonable prices for drinks

Tremendous pint of Guiness! The Old Bar is a great wee drinking den, full of proper drinkers and craic!

Great atmosphere friendly and pleasant bar staff .

Local musicians gather for an open jam session every Wednesday night. Welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff, great Guinness and lovely food!

Great afternoon and evening with great music food and company. Very friendly pub 💯

Great time in bar top class staff

Very friendly staff and customers

Fantastic family pub.great food and live music at weekends.staff were brilliant. We had a great day here

Great food and excellent service

Really lovely authentic bar. Welcoming, friendly people. Great Irish music night.

Excellent food. Friendly staff. Live music on at the weekends.

Lovely bar and new upstairs, veer garden for during the good weather.

Looking for somewhere to stop for a bite to eat and something to drink, my wife and I entered and were instantly warmly welcomed. Attentive staff, really flavoursome tasting food and a good pint too. I would certainly recommend this small cosy bar.

Best bar in new castle ..Great owners & great people ..

Great place to go, great crac and music.

Great wee cosy bar open fire was great as it was really cold that day

Great bar , Leslie the barmaid is very friendly.Food was fantastic, will definitely be back .

Great live music small but friendly

1st class from the moment we entered the place , the staff were great beer great, the place spotless can't ask for more ..family friendly.....

Fantastic friendly bar and now serving food

Lovely bar friendly bar staff and customers best nights out in have had in long time

Great local pub. Friendly atmosphere, terrific Guinness.

Great atmosphere plenty of seats and good range of beverages. Huge outdoor area to the rear of the building.

Great little bar, with friendly staff and live music throughout the year.

On the edge of town pub. Cosy fire, with tonnes of atmosphere and a great layout wrapping around the bar in four distinct areas one of which had a pool table four entertainment. Not to mention the live band

Great bar . Great people. Great owners. I cant falt it in any way . First Class

Lovely to English people. Love coming here Marty is great!! Until the next time 😁

Excellent bar with a cozy atmosphere, great live music, great chance to meet locals and a nice pint!