Vibe
And then there five. Mac’s Brewbars in Auckland, that is. Mac’s newest Ellerslie outpost is slightly more traditional than Kingsland’s Neighbourhood or Newmarket’s Nuffield St. The building used to be a post office, (and most recently an Italian restaurant), and the décor is more classic. Lots of Art Deco lampshades, rustic wood – you get the picture.

Service
Word certainly gets around fast, and in the week before Christmas, Union Post Brewbar is packed to the rafters with end of year revelers. The holiday spirit must be contagious as the busy, busy bar staff are taking it all their stride.

What’s on Tap?
Mac’s, Mac’s and more Mac’s – priced either as a glass ($7.50) or in an old school jug ($24.50). There’s loads of backup brews in the fridge, but with Mac’s zingy Cloudy White or hoppy Hop Rocker, why would you bother? On hot summer nights, Isaac’s Cider sounds like a pretty fine idea.

Feeling peckish?
Mac’s Brewbars do a good line in shared platters, and Union Post is no exception. Try the Number 8 Wire platter ($42) for carnivore thrills (lamb kofta and mini-beef burgers), or Straight Up ($42) for a salty, seafood spin (salt and pepper prawns, stuffed mussells and smoked salmon).

The Bottom Line
Mac’s Brewbars can sometimes feel like an overthought exercise in design and marketing, but Ellerslie’s newest bar tones down the retro Kiwi quirkiness to good effect.

A Reason to Return
Live music on a Thursday night, and DJs on Friday and Saturday. Oh, another round of the salt and pepper prawns.

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