January 12, 2012
Cool up stairs with additional small bar (open for special events). Good tap list, even more nice stuff in bottles. Just a nice overall place.

October 17, 2011 [ Updated October 18, 2011 ]
Pretty solid beer spot in downtown Minneapolis - can always count on these guys to have a few goodies on the tap line. And they have the occassional beer event or special tappings, usually Surly-related (I’ve been here for Darkness, Moe’s Bender, etc.).

August 27, 2010
Presumably would have scored higher had the bartender/owner not kicked us out for moving his patio tables prior to going in to order at the bar due to no waitress service outside. Prior trips there have been fine wiht a good beer selection but the attitude of the owner makes this a no-go right from the start.

December 4, 2008
I used to drop by here at the end of every term when I was in college. It was nice to have a good micro and macro beer selection. As well as a good liquor selection.

October 29, 2008
Above average downtown bar with a good draft selection. We had great service when we were there, but this was definitely at an off peak time of day. The food smelled great, but was kind of a letdown in the flavor department.

June 4, 2008
Visited here a few times while on business in Minneapolis. My hotel was right around the corner so it was nice to find a close bar with good beer. I spent a lot of my time enjoying some Surly brews. They also had Ommegang, Victory, Bells, Summit and quite a few others. I did not have any food but the staff was friendly and it seems like a lot of the locals hang out here. Good time.

February 6, 2008 [ Updated February 18, 2012 ]
2/18/12: I’ve been to Mackenzie quite a bit since my initial rating 4 years ago. Their selectn has improved immeasurably since then and is at this point easily top 10 and likely top 5 for beer selection in the Metro area. The quality of the selection is where they stand apart, predictably having gems you won’t have anywhere else. On separate occasions I’ve found Odell Saboteur and Stone 15th anniversary imperial black ipa on tap. They used to do 2 for ones both before and after twins games with your ticket stub. As of last season they weren’t doing it anymore because " people were taking advantage of it." uh yeah!?! That’s the point! They added a nice outdoor patio in back which is nice when the weather is warm although it’s nestled next to the building and therefore doesn’t always have direct sunlight. Outside of the incident Wellestone refers to in his review (I was there) I’ve had mostly great experiences here with beer. Best selection in the vicinity for Twins and Twolves games. 2/6/08:Walking distance from my apartment, this is a place that takes their beer seriously. No BMC on tap, although if you must stoop to get a Budweiser, it’s available on bottle. The beer selection is fairly solid. They’re one of few places downtown that have 3 Surly brews on tap. Tonight they had the Furious, Bender and Mild. The other highlight was Sierra Nevada Celebration. The rest of the options were fairly pedestrian and included 3 Schell options (Pils, Snowstorm, Bock), Grainbelt, Blue Moon, Summit EPA, etc. So, obviously a place to get all of the standard local brews. Beer prices are ok, but food prices are very reasonable. The Margerita pizza I had was outstanding. They have an upsatirs balcony area that’s not open very often except for very busy nights, but is also available for private parties. Perhaps the best beer bar on Hennepin Ave. in downtown Mnpls. Amb 3, Ser 9, Sel 9, Fo, 9, Val NA, Ov 16

February 6, 2008
I have been to MacKenzie’s many times, each time the experience was slightly different. The service and ambiance are the weakest parts. Service is unpredictable, sometimes good, most times mediocre. The ambiance is that of a standard yuppy downtown bar. It is also very loud. I try to sit out side by the traffic, a diesel bus is the less of the two noise evils. Selection is average to above average. They seem to rotate a couple of taps through some goodies like Surly, Bells, Flat Earth, etc. The rest of the taps are unimpressive.

January 25, 2008
Can’t say I was blown away. They served me a horrid glass of darkness which never should have tasted that bad. Not much on the service side either.

December 20, 2007
Walked in to get some Darkness on tap and found some. No problems getting served. I got a great lady who knew what beer glass I wanted without questioning me. Friend that was with me didn’t get so lucky, he got the lady getting drunk by the bar who had no clue yelling at him asking why he would want to be fancy and have that glass. Everything else was fine, nice little place. They gave me a Lucifer glass when I asked for it to have my Darkness in.