My time at Mac's was during the mid to late 80s. I'm glad it's still there! I remember $1 pitchers of crappy beer on Wednesdays. I also remember the door men not really being careful when checking IDs (one only had to be 18 to enter back then). I remember trying to sneak the plastic logo cups out. I remember trying to hide drinks from the bouncers...if you saw a guy with a bucket and a flashlight, drink quickly!. I also remember there never being any furniture...a favorite place during my MSU years. Perhaps I'll get back there someday, though I live in North Carolina now.
Review Source:What a hole! What a strange and diverse crowd! Loved it!
Visited MACs for the first time to see Joe Buck Yourself, Those Poor Bastards, Black Jake & the Carnies, Rachel Brooke, Viva Le Vox, and The Devil. My visit was mainly to see Black Jake who did indeed rock the place.
MACs is hard to describe. It hasn't seen any investment I'm sure in many years. The set up at first seemed strange but the room lent itself to fairly good acoustics Add decent drink prices and low cost admission and all was cool.
My complaints:
It is hard to know who is staff and who is not.
Many people seemed to be in charge of the door.
One out of control drunk chick who seemed to run the place was allowed to continue to molest patrons.
Children? Here?
But hey, what ever
I went to Mac's bar to see a friend's band play and it was a unique experience for me. It is definitely a dive bar, a trip to the bathrooms will more than confirm this. There isn't a space on the walls not covered by graffiti or a sticker.
Cover was reasonable and the crowd, while eclectic, is very friendly. The drinks are fairly priced but be careful they are super strong, especially after spending most of my time going out in downtown East Lansing.
The venue is great for concerts and besides my friend's band, the other acts were great as well. Overall, I'd suggest this place to come see up and coming bands. If you are looking for a classy and sophisticated bar, head somewhere else. This place is well worn and well loved.
The delightful dive. It is 4 parts rock'n'roll, 1 part home. I frequented Mac's the most in the early-to-mid 2000's during frequent owner changes. I liked it most when it was owned by a coke head and smashed guitars were carelessly bolted to the walls as a successful attempt at cheap decor.
Now, Mac's run by a seemingly good owner who has done good things with the place- it is nicer looking, which helps Lansing, and it is now built as a bar instead of an oversized smoke filled filing cabinet just off 4-96 and 127. They pull good underground rock and punk bands and still support the local scene with opening local acts. I used to play music on that stage to a vibrant crowd busting the place at its seams... That totals to about 50 people. Its true, for that very reason, I hold Macs in a special place in my heart. Fights rarely break out as the crowd is generally accepting as long as you behave the same. Respect earns respect. The bathrooms are frightening and awesome. Every square inch is covered with sharpie, band stickers and dry piss. Mac's can change and progress all it wants. It will still shake from the parking lot with the vibrations of live music, I will still walk in there and know 5 people and they will still offer cheap PBR... And it will always be home.
What do I like about Mac's bar... well I didn't ever have to wait more than two minutes for a drink and as drinking is generally one of the main goals at a bar this fast service was much appreciated.
This is a 180 from my general scene so I feel as if it is not really my place to judge it so I will just try and give non biased truthful statements about the venue.
Its a dive bar, perhaps the divest dive I've ever been to. The bar stools are worn down to their wood bases, gross. You may want to get a lip ring before you go so you fit in better (maybe is was just the crowd for the bands the night I was there). I heard the bathroom was so scary I didn't even go in to check it out.
You can form your own opinion from the reviews on here but I will hopefully not be going back, ever. ekkkk.
if you can get past the dingyness & smokiness, it's a great spot for drinks w/ live music. they have some cool bands playing pretty often; think lower east side crowd, cbgb'ish venue.. super laid back, even when it's crowded. we were sitting at the bar & after 10mins or so when the bartender finally got to me, the beer was on the house & he apologized for the wait... which is unheard of in ny. my friend knows a few of the bands that come through town so i'd definitely go back.
Review Source:I've only gone to Mac's for shows. The sound quality is pretty horrible. It is a pretty small venue. It is pretty hard to get ahold of a bartender. Every time I've gone there the girl behind the bar flirts with some guy and ignores a lot of people. The cover is pretty high but only for shows. The only good thing about Mac's is that it is the last venue in Lansing. I would never call it the best venue or even a good one. I would call this place mediocre. And if you are looking for a good bar just drive the extra 3 blocks and go to P T O'malley's
Review Source:Mac's is hella grungy. Â Which makes it great for watching grimy hiphop or a good rock band. Â The acoustics here are great and I saw some house DJs there about a week ago (werd!) and it was thumpin. Â Overall, I don't frequent Mac's cause I'm not into the band scene so much, but if you like thrashy local rock, cheap drinks and don't mind slimy bathrooms so much, then Mac's is your destination.
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