Located in the southeast corner of downtown Austin close to Lady Bird Lake and I-35, Rainey Street offers a unique entertainment experience. Rainey Street was originally a quiet neighborhood of pre-1934 bungalows. Then, in 2004 the area was rezoned as part of the central business district. Original developers took advantage by converting the old bungalows into bars and restaurants with laid back outdoor seating that offered the feel of visiting someone’s front porch or backyard.
Today visitors can find a two-block stretch of over a dozen bars and restaurant alongside trendy food trucks. Most of the bars and restaurants have outdoor and indoor seating and live music. Dogs are also welcome at many locations. Restaurants offer American, Indian, and Mexican fare. Food trucks dish out tacos, pizza, bacon, tapas, gyros, and more. Bars are plentiful and diverse. Some of the notable options include:
Bangers Sausage House & Beer Garden – Offering 30 house-made sausages and 104 beers on draught.
Blackheart – Weather-beaten wood floors, live music, and dark walls. A classic dive bar with a stellar cocktail menu.
Craft Pride – The best place to sample local craft beers. You can try one of the many beers on tap, buy bottles to take home, or fill up a growler. All beer is exclusively sourced from Texas breweries. A large backyard is also home to a permanent food truck serving Detroit-style pizza.
Clive Barris – The style is of this bar is decidedly updated saloon. Friendly bartenders serve up $8 cocktails with silly names.
Icenhauers – One of the more upscale bars in the neighborhood. Icenhauers is a great spot to catch live music. Fun fact: all of the cocktails are given “lady” names., like the Brittany or the Jennifer.