Macken's Bar food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Newry, Mourne and Down
Macken's Bar holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the pub met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 23 August 2024, 22 months ago. That is getting on for the longest gap councils usually leave, so the score may not reflect how the business is run today.
Address: 71-73 South Promenade, Ballaghbeg, Newcastle, BT33 0EY
How it compares in Newry, Mourne and Down
That puts Macken's Bar among the 1,411 places in Newry, Mourne and Down holding top marks, 89% of everywhere the council rates. A 5 is the norm here rather than the exception, so it is the rating to expect, not to be impressed by.
| 5 out of 5 | 1,411 | 89% | ← Macken's Bar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 124 | 8% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 24 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 13 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 8 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 143 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Very good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Very good
- How well they manage food safety Very good
An inspection scores three things: how food is handled, the physical condition of the premises, and how much the inspector trusts management to keep standards up. At Macken's Bar none of the three raised a concern, the overall rating is only ever as strong as its weakest area, so a clean sweep is what produces a high score.
Food hygiene ratings nearby
The closest food businesses to Macken's Bar, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harbour Shop Retailers - other | 48 yards away | 5 - Very good | 13 January 2026 |
| Olive Bizarre Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 48 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 September 2024 |
| Tipsy Seagull Other catering premises | 76 yards away | 5 - Very good | 21 November 2025 |
| All Children's Integrated School School/college/university | 200 yards away | 5 - Very good | 23 June 2026 |
| Lawnfield House Caring Premises | 200 yards away | 5 - Very good | 3 July 2024 |
| Harbour House Inn & Stone Boat Restaurant Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 3 October 2024 |
| Shimna Integrated College School/college/university | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 5 September 2024 |
| Donard Fold Other catering premises | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 20 September 2024 |
Questions about Macken's Bar
What is Macken's Bar's food hygiene rating?
Macken's Bar has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Newry, Mourne and Down Council on 23 August 2024.
Is Macken's Bar safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 5 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this pub to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Macken's Bar last inspected?
Macken's Bar was last inspected on 23 August 2024, 22 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Newry, Mourne and Down Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Macken's Bar?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "very good", and confidence in the management of food safety "very good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Macken's Bar compare to other places in Newry, Mourne and Down?
89% of the 1,580 rated food businesses in Newry, Mourne and Down hold the top rating of 5, and Macken's Bar is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Newry, Mourne and Down Council inspects Macken's Bar and sets the rating; the Food Standards Agency publishes it. Neither the business nor this site can change a rating, a business that disagrees can appeal to its council, and can request a re-inspection once it has fixed the problems.
Tell me when this changes
The Food Standards Agency publishes only a business's rating today, not what it scored before, and not when it moves. We check every UK rating each night. Watch Macken's Bar and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Macken's Bar is one of 1,034 rated food businesses in Down. See every hygiene rating in Down →
Newry, Mourne and Down inspects and rates 1,723 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Newry, Mourne and Down →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.newrymournedown.org
Rating from the Food Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence. Ratings reflect standards found at the time of inspection and can change. If you think a rating is wrong, the official record is held by the FSA and the local authority; corrections there flow through here. How ratings work →