Or maybe it never left? For those of us who are old enough to remember when the neighborhood was just a line of old houses (which was only in, like, 2009), Rainey Street has had many lives. And sure, nowadays the newly-risen high rises definitely blend it in with the rest of downtown, but make no mistake: Rainey is its own little world. Characterized by bars that look like houses, string lighting, and delicious places to eat, it's upscale without being snooty, and casual without being apathetic. Rainey Street is a part of town happy to explore the happy middle ground.
Grab a friend or grab your pup and head out to Bangers to enjoy some sausage and quality beer while you sit on the patio underneath the Texas sky. With family-style seating, 30 house-made sausages and over a hundred beers on tap, there is surely something for everyone, although we are partial to the good ol' bangers and mash! Vegan and vegetarian options available and non-sausage bites too.
51 Rainey St Unit 110
This one's for those of us that want to class up our Rainey crawl. This Michelin-recognized spot built its reputation on house-milled grains, seasonal small plates, and some of the best pasta in town. The menu changes constantly, so regulars always have an excuse to come back. Come hungry, order a little of everything, and don't skip the cacio e pepe.
51 Rainey St Suite 140A
Newcomer Kinsho brings a sleek Japanese dining experience to Rainey. The spot is straight-up intimate, with an 18-seat sushi bar, featuring omakase or à la carte options, including nigiri, sashimi, rolls, and more. Sake hits different on Rainey Street, trust us.
91 Rainey St Ste 120
Anthem is what happens when comfort food and happy hour join forces. The Tex-Asian pub has plenty of shareable bites and cocktails, so you can mix and match! This is also a great spot to finish up your weekend, with an all-day Happy Hour on Sundays.
87 Rainey St
Some spots feel like Old Rainey. Some spots are taking it another direction. But we like Crazy Conchaz because it feels like a mix of both! It's got the neighborhood bar vibes and great Mexican-inspired grub, but once the sun goes down, things usually evolve into a dance party with brightly colored cocktails.
51 Rainey St.
As the old song goes, "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore..." Well, when Salvation Pizza's pie hits your taste buds, it will be love. Salvation is serving up New Haven style pizza, which means it has a distinctly thin and crunchy dough and crust. Even better, if you have a friend or two not craving pizza, you have options... a variety of salads, calzones, and even chicken wings to choose from. Enjoy!
303 Red River St.
Long before Rainey Street was the hustling and bustling barscape it is now, there existed Moonshine. Situated in one of the oldest commercial buildings in downtown Austin, Moonshine is a dine-in experience to be reckoned with. Next time you're in the neighborhood, go ahead and immerse yourself in some good old American comfort food. We could speak more about the chicken fried steak, the divinity of the macaroni and cheese and how well it all pairs with a Bloody Mary, but it's best you experience them for yourself.
80 Rainey St
Perched above the street on the 12th floor of Paseo, Amaya feels a little like sneaking away on vacation without leaving the 512. The rooftop Mediterranean restaurant serves shareable plates, spritzes, and some seriously good sunset views over Rainey. It's a little calmer than the madness on the street below; use it as a brief pit stop before you head back out to the bar crawling.
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WHERE TO DRINK
605 Davis St.
Team Geraldine's means business when it comes to handcrafting a cocktail. With skilled staff prepping classic and house drinks, we experienced happy taste buds and superb service. Geraldine’s offers scenic and diverse views of Austin: overlooks of downtown’s skyline, Lady Bird Lake and tanned bodies at the hotel pool.
73 Rainey St
When we say Rainey has something for everyone, that's no joke. Cocktails are plentiful on the street, but for the beer lover in your life, take them to The Stay Put. Housed in a remodeled bungalow, this brewpub serves house-made beers alongside cocktails and plenty of patio space for your crew and your dog.
91 Red River St Ste 102
Who doesn't love shuffleboard? Lowkey it's probably the most underrated bar game of all time? Ponder that while we tell you about Electric Shuffle, which features a ton of interactive tables while cocktails and brunch keep the group happy between rounds. This is a great spot for the more competitive friends in your crew.
90 Rainey St Suite 100
And now for something completely different - the newest kid on the block is Modern Bar, the upscale spot on the ground floor of the new Modern Austin Residences building. You might have heard / read a lot of things about Rainey "growing up," and this is the spot they're likely talking about. Make no mistake, it's a more sophisticated option, from the decor to the A+ beverage program - opt for a fancy cocktail here and save the white tea shots for the next stop.
70 Rainey St #200
The aesthetic at Bar Hacienda is decidedly more vintage than your average Rainey hagnout. The drinks lean tropical and inventive, the interiors are gorgeous, and the whole place gives off vacation energy. This is also a prime destination for big parties on the street, particularly around First Thursdays.
88 1/2 Rainey St
The Rainey district never fails to surprise, and Bar Fino is a great example. Tucked away behind the main action, the open-air bar channels European aperitivo culture with natural wines and unique cocktails. While the rest of street is partying hard, you'll likely be having a nice date here.
85 Rainey St
If you've been to their West Campus spot, you know what to expect here. Victory Lap has expanded to Rainey Street and is certifiably the most legit sports bar on the street. Pro tip: Come hungry and grab some pizza from Side Piece while you're there.
76 Rainey St
There aren't many neighborhoods in Austin where you'll find a bar run out of the house the owners used to live in, but that's exactly the story behind The Rainey House. Joe Regalado grew up in the house that is now home to well-crafted cocktails and neighborly vibes. Rather than move away, he decided to stay and evolve alongside Rainey; Joe and his sons now run The Rainey House, and to that we say, "Cheers."
94 Rainey St.
The bar that started it all. If memory serves us right, Lustre Pearl was the first bar to set up shop on Rainey, converting one of those old houses into a nice little hang. Since then, the bar has moved across the street, but the good vibes remain: "Hula hoops, ping-pong tables, great drinks, friendly service, and a beauty you can’t ignore, traits she always had and always will."
609 Davis St
Clive Bar is another OG Rainey spot that popped up around the same time as the original Lustre Pearl, and it's still going strong. The original bungalow roots are still there, but now you've also got rooftop views, DJs, live music, and plenty of room to spread out with your crew. This is also a great spot for people watching from upstairs.
86 Rainey St
If you close your eyes and think of a bar on Rainey Street, you'll probably picture something like Augustine. The long-running bar boasts a front-porch, an indoor space with a giant bar, and a sizable backyard where the DJs spin and vendors post up. The space has numerous bars and a seamless indoor-outdoor flow, so you just might not want to leave!
Half Step is the premiere cocktail spot on Rainey Street. It comes complete with a stellar patio and amazing bar staff creating a visual and sensory display with each cocktail. Delightful drinks and a delightful place.
83 Rainey St
In true Rainey Street fashion, Bungalow is one of those spots we thought was long gone, until they were blissfully resurrected. The only thing that's changed is the address (they're now across the street where Icenhauer's used to be). Expect great drinks, a huge backyard, live music, DJs, karaoke nights and more. It's the same ol' Bungalow that you know.
77 Rainey St.
We love Lucille. Named after a flapper who apparently lived at the residence at the turn of the 19th century who loved a good time and a solid cocktail, Lucille provides you with a good time. Enter on a weekend and a DJ is playing the best music on the patio. "The lush patio features classic outdoor games, shade, and hammocks for your relaxing pleasure. Leashed dogs get water, plenty of pats and a cool concrete napping spot."
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