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    MAC Birmingham

    4.0 (31 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

    MAC Birmingham Photos

    Recommended Reviews - MAC Birmingham

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    Cream tea
    Erica O.

    I've been coming to the MAC regularly for a few months now. I haven't experienced all the MAC has to offer, only because there is always something new going on. They offer various events throughout the year like art exhibits, films, comedians, and classes. It claims to be kid friendly but I do not really see how. I didn't see anything for children. Even the outdoor area is lacking in fun. Luckily cannon park is right next door. The MAC has a nice little gift shop with creative greeting cards and artsy gifts. There is a large cafe that has OK food. Some things are definitely not worth the price. And service is always slow. The other Side of the MAC has a bar with other food and a small selection of beer and alcohol. The reason I've given such a low rating is due to a few things. One, the cafe is utterly slow. I could drive to Sainsbury, buy food and cook it myself before the MAC can deliver my meal. It doesn't matter if it's empty or completely heaving. Always reliably slow. Today for a 2 toasties we waited 30 minutes. On top of that, empty tables seem to be filthy and full of collections of dirty dishes. Yet there sure were a lot of staff doing nothing behind the counter... Lastly, I haven't found it to be very organised. I tried registering for a zumba class to find out it had been cancelled. Not one class, the entire session. Nothing was published online. A bit of a let down. I still think the MAC is a unique venue for trying new things. After all it is free! Free parking and free entry. I'm still going to return for an event for sure. But overall the venue just doesn't live up to the hype.

    Kerry O.

    Whether it's a hot sunny day or cold outside because of mac's position in Cannon Hill Park you can pop in for a cold beer out of the sunshine or grab a hot Latte and keep out the rain. I like to grab a drink in the cafe however it can get over run with mom & dads with toddlers so i've reconsidered it as a meeting point of late. However if you do have kids it seems a nice place to meet with other parents as there are plenty of places for kids and lots of space for them to play and run around. There is a bar tucked around the side which is probably more suitable for the adults. Mac is a great resource for the city. I come here mainly for exhibitions of which there have been some great ones and (as far as I am aware) the art exhibitions are free. The cinema is really nice here. Really comfy and spacious. I've only seen one film but enjoyed the experience rather than that of a multiplex. However you are offered a different choice of film here from the Hollywood Blockbusters. There are regular music and theatre events and lots of adaptable spaces too making it great to watch performances.

    Jacob D.

    The Midlands Art Centre re-opened not so long ago with a multi million pound re-launch and built upon the foundations of the old mac which had always been a popular Birmingham attraction. Complementing the scenic surroundings of Cannon Hill Park, the mac offers good quality food and drinks, a full bar and evening entertainment, as well as the opportunity partake in classes ranging in everything from dance to ceramics. The mac holds regular exhibitions and live performances and maintains the high standards of cultural material it is famed for.

    Qype User (gemmab…)

    The last time I went ot the Mac it was actually flooded, but I wasn't going to let that put me off. There is free parking here, and the carpark leads to a lush park, covered in grass with a small lake and play park for children. Arriving at the Mac there seemed to be lots of children running about, but this just goes to show that the place is actually used by the community, that it's not just an artsy fartsy affair. There are however lots of events held for the adults without children. Lots of cinema screenings that odeon wouldn't even contemplate showing, comedy and music performances and lots of other cutting edge stuff can be found here. Check out the website if you're looking for something new to try for the new year with lots of creative course starting all year round.

    Laura C.

    The Mac itself is lovely. Situated in Cannon Hill Park with free (yay)parking. A cute gift shop is on the left as you enter which also doubles as the ticket office. It has lots of unique items to pick up and buy too. There is also a cute bar (with lovely tea & coffee options) and it even has some vegan options! There are a few theatre spaces and I was in the hexagon theatre which was a small space of around 40 people but it was nice & cosy for the performance and it felt very intimate.

    Tim Shaw exhibition at mac
    Oliver M.

    MAC Birmingham is an arts centre located in one of Birmingham's green oases, and it is becoming one of my favourite arts venues in the city. MAC is an arts centre that really cares about audience experience, and this is clear in the dizzying programme of events, exhibitions, theatre, dance, independent cinema, festivals, food markets and special events. Growing up in Birmingham, a trip to the MAC was always a special occasion - at Christmas my parents used to bring me to the theatre. Recently, MAC has undergone a multimillion pound rebirth. The building has been transformed into a real local landmark, unmissable in the park. It has also become even more visitor friendly, with a large, bright atrium that's perfect for meeting in, and a nice cafe that serves up a range of hot and cold food, as well as cakes and drinks. Recently I've been to a range of different events at MAC, including a wonderfully fun screening of 'I Am Divine' as part of SHOUT Festival. However, it is their programme of contemporary art exhibitions and events that have wowed me over and over. First there was 'Sounding The River' a fantastic, multisensory event that drew on MAC's unique position beside the River Rea. Myself and Adam S. followed a path, under the cover of darkness, along the river and through the woods of the park. We encountered amazing whirring, wizzing, flashing and glowing light installations interspersed with beautiful music and theatre, bringing the river to life. Then there was the amazingly powerful 'Black Smoke Rising', an installation by artist Tim Shaw that saw MAC's large exhibition space transformed into a dark, smokey, oily chamber, presided over by a huge black-hooded god. Both of the above rank among the very best arts happenings that I've ever experienced. Right now you can catch 'The Last Known Pose', an exhibition of work by artist Qasim Riza Shaheen that brings together beautifully crafted garments, video installations and glossy portraits. MAC is a great arts venue that works closely with the community groups that make up Birmingham and brings innovative contemporary arts to the city, and is well worth a visit.

    Strange balloon game at the MAC, summer 2011

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    17 years ago

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    18 years ago

    Great place, loads of art stuff going on, exhibitions, movies, music studios, cannon hill park just next to it. I really like this place.

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    19 years ago

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    18 years ago

    not an awful lot to see or do here, part from wander a few of the galleries. worth a look in if in the park though

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    Review Highlights - MAC Birmingham

    Great place, loads of art stuff going on, exhibitions, movies, music studios, cannon hill park just next to it.

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    The Space Birmingham - The Carter Room at The Space Birmingham

    The Space Birmingham

    (2 reviews)

    Jewellery Quarter, Historical Gun Quarter

    I first heard about The Space in May of 2014 and knew that it would be a very cool venue for an…read moreevent. Looking around at the places in the city, I wanted to have a Launch event for #BrumHour at a creative and fresh venue. The owner, Chandeep has been a great champion of BrumHour, so it felt right that the venue would be the best host. I went down to The Space for the first time at the start of August 2014 and the three rooms vary a lot in size. However, they are all painted a brilliant white with high ceilings and huge windows to let a lot of natural light in. The main room is the carter room and can host around 50 people. When I came to host my event at the start of February 2015, I had 30 people and 5 tables with creative businesses from around Birmingham to share their project work on them. Chandeep was very clear about pricing, and timescales and this gave me a huge confidence boost that everything would run pretty smoothly. I hired the venue for 4 hours and used it for a 2 hour event including setup and going live. It can be used as a dance and drama rehearsal space, a creative gallery, a small theatre room or even a board room! Check out the website for more photos.

    Amazing service. You know a great business when all the tiny details, from initial enquiry all the…read moreway through to completion are perfect. I am a really fussy bu**** and like things just so. I like businesses that go the extra mile. I like people who anticipate what will make my life easier. The Space scored massively on all these counts. So, we needed a small meeting room away from our busy office to strategize and plan. All our usual meeting options where full, other venues either couldn't be bothered responding or were to pricey or not quite right. Normally a local coffee shop or similar could fit the bill, but not for this kind of meeting. I knew of The Space through Twitter, as another Jewellery Quarter business, so I dropped them a line. I quick response confirmed everything I needed to know and prices where very competitive. Booking was super easy. We all arrived to be greeted by the helpful and friendly owner (I think) and shown around. Our room was perfect. Tea and coffee and biscuits provided, self serve. The tea mugs were neatly arranged, the tea spoons were ready in clean water, water jug and glasses all arranged on the table, the heater was on, the chairs and tables just right. What this attention to details means is that we could simply relax and focus on the business of the day. It was a great meeting and the venue and service received went at least some way towards allowing that to happen. Worth noting that although The Space is kinda in the middle of an industrial estate it's also very close to the bus routes on Great Hampton St, the JQ station and maybe 5-6 minutes walk from Snow Hill. You can also grab a nice lunch at the equally excellent The Lord Clifden if you need to, tho the venue does do meeting catering upon request. Highly recommended all 'round!

    Highbury Banqueting & Conference Centre

    Highbury Banqueting & Conference Centre

    (4 reviews)

    I've been here a few times over the years. Mostly, it's been to see their open days which are free…read moreto enter. It's a lovely old house that's great to see is still intact and right on our doorstep. Whenever there are events on you get to see inside the building. There are loads of lovely rooms both downstairs and up and the main reception hall is quite a space. When the events are on inside, you'll find various stalls dotted round both floors and in almost all the rooms. This can make it quite tricky to squeeze round with a pushchair, and my daughter wasn't too keen on the crowds squashing her in tighter spots. For me the best tine to go if you want to take the whole family are the summer open days, the next one is 15th July. You can get round both the house and gardens and there's just more space as everyone's not crammed into the one space at the same time-unless it's raining, of course! There are refreshments available and on family special days, there are lots of activities for the kids to join in. Check out the events calendar on the web page for details of more free family events through the year.

    I've been to Highbury a couple of times previously - as a child I was dragged round on a school…read moretrip and don't really remember much about it except for a shameful game of rounders in the grounds after (I was always useless at rounders). Later still I went to a brilliant play here - all Victorian melodrama and audience participation. Anyway this weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to a wedding here and I have to say the setting, the gardens, the ambiance, the staff - everything was perfect. Things that stick out - apart from the fact I got to wear a fascinator, which was of course brilliant - the main reception room with staircase is stunning. Secondly the room where the wedding took place - with patio doors that lead out to the garden was straight out of Downton Abbey - and because it was south facing I could blame the sunlight for making my eyes stream (and not have to admit I was blubbing because it was all so lovely). Thirdly - the grounds - absolutely resplendent. The whole event was incredibly well organised and the staff were really, really sweet. I can't recommend this enough really - history buffs take note - this was the family home of Birmingham MP Joseph Chamberlain MP who lived here from 1878 onwards. To find out more it's worth popping along to one of their open days - full details can be found on the website.

    MAC Birmingham - movietheaters - Updated May 2026

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