How to spend the perfect day on Austin's Rainey Street
It's not just a street ... it's a whole vibe.
Written by Robin Soslow at MySanAntonio
March 10, 2023
"There are many slogans that would make a good Rainey Street Austin T-shirt," say a group of day-drinking locals explaining the neighborhood's vibe to a lone traveler at Clive Bar's terrace — which overlooks the unique district of bungalow-bars that offer some of Austin's best live music, DJs, craft beer and cocktails and food truck eats. But this lakeside district doesn't need a slogan. Locals know to just come as they are, dressed up or down, and wander it merrily with friends, dogs, and even children.
Here, you can make any weekend a festival, popping into historic bungalows transformed into cool bars and hot live music venues. Entertainment fills front lawns, porches, side terraces, backyards and the interiors of the former homes, as well as their breezy upper decks topping inventively remodeled spots.
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If you're ready to have an amazing weekend in Austin's Rainey Street Historic District, consider starting your weekend on a Thursday, because the fun and super-friendly spirit make it hard to leave this unique place. And remember, Blockbuster events like SXSW crowd downtown Austin districts, including Rainey Street, so you can always enjoy a cozier, calmer and equally fun experience year-round on Rainey Street even when big events aren't in town.
The history behind the ever-evolving, always vibrant Rainey Street Historic District
Sure, the juxtaposition of new, sky-scraping high-rise buildings and cute bungalows in this downtown district edging Lady Bird Lake (aka Town Lake) seems odd, but then again, "Keep Austin Weird" remains the city's motto. Besides, the historic district has been distinguished by transformation long before the bungalow-to-bar conversions started around 2009. The wealth of free entertainment makes it worth weaving around those construction crews (who are pretty cheerful and polite).
Austin's Rainey Street Historic District in Austin, Texas.
Courtesy of Robin Soslow, Special to MySA
Rainey Street was a cozy, blue-collar community before a 1935 flood destroyed many of its homes. Some dating back as far as 1885 survived, but others were replaced by new bungalows. Post-flood, Mexican-Americans moved in and stayed for generations. Zoning changes made in 2004 opened the neighborhood to nightlife; after the 2007 financial collapse, entrepreneurs acquired bungalows and created an indie music district.
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Its muse and mascot, a friendly guinea fowl named Geraldine who roamed the street for a decade until being hit by a car in 2014. Watch for images of Geraldine around the neighborhood. Geraldine's, a top-notch restaurant, bar and live music venue, is named for her.
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Some bungalow-bars have been acquired by sky-rise developers, but others are staying put — thus the name of The Stay Put, a brewery and lounge with house cocktails on tap that opened in November 2022. In February 2022, Clive opened two more stories of hang-out space atop its converted Craftsman-style residence built around 1920. Lustre Pearl, the district's first bungalow-bar conversion, closed in 2014 and then in 2016, opened a new Rainey Street location sporting a rooftop patio and bar.
A visit to Rainey Street is like an ongoing concert and bar crawl
This Texas-sized progressive house party enlivens approximately four blocks of afternoon and nightlife hotspots, starting in their front yards. Lucille's great outdoors includes a side-yard with hammocks, benches and places for games, plus a big back patio for socializing and dancing to DJ tunes. Parlor Room features front yard bands, jam nights and DJ parties, plus zesty drinks and craft beer on tap inside and outdoors. And Half Step is a popular hang-out among service industry workers.
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Icenhauer's, nested in a wing-and-gable house built in 1895, inspires dancing to classic Austin bands inside its saloon, and sophisticated sipping while chilling on its outdoor spaces. At Idle Hands, a disco ball hanging from a tree and an outdoor stage brighten the spot's elevated front yard. People chill here for hours over gourmet smash burgers and tropical drinks.
Diverse food along Rainey Street pairs well with Austin brews and craft cocktails
The constant sound of cocktail shakers along Rainey Street is a clue that bartenders know how to make great drinks, from cocktails to mocktails. The prices match the quality and the music's free. As for the beer, you'll find beloved Austin brews and quite a few surprises.
Rainey Street is a place to hang out, not just to party like a rock star. People come with friends, dogs and children. Surprisingly good and varied small bites and platters are easily found, from the bungalow kitchens to the dozens of food trucks.
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Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden earns top marks for its live music, signature dishes and 207 beers on tap (possibly the most in Texas), but also for its unexpected selections such as Austin-based Buddha's Brew kombucha, perfectly breaded fried pickles and an awesome eggplant- and quinoa-based faux sausage platter.
Geraldine's blackened Texas redfish with coconut Thai curry and pickled kumquat. Guests can eat and sip while watching live blues, funk and other musical performances at the Austin restaurant's nightly concerts.
Courtesy of Robin Soslow, Special to MySA
Geraldine's serves beautifully plated elevated Southern-inspired cuisine using regional ingredients; the side dishes are creative and the sauces fiery. The drink menu covers all tastes. Pair your meal with one of Geraldine's nightly concerts or a weekend jazz brunch presented on its excellent stage.
Anthem, a Tex-Asian pub, serves shareable plates, tiki drinks and sake bombs. Sample shishito pepper queso, Miso Mac Daddy and other hits with the pupu party platter. Then, slip into a swing on Cantina 512's sidewalk patio for street tacos before groovin' to the DJ's hot Latin tunes.
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Visitors can also simply make a meal of Rainey Street's outstanding food truck fare, such as Four Brothers Venezuelan Kitchen's arepas. Some venues have food trucks stationed on their front lawns. For example, Stagger Lee hosts Metcalf BBQ, a popular Austin truck serving classic pit-smoked Texas barbecue. Since 2013, Little Lucy's has made hot mini-donuts fresh daily. Creative flavors, each named for dog breeds, include the blueberry and lemongrass Poodle and pistachio, lavender and vanilla Schnauzer.
The neighborhood hotel is all about Austin music
A half-block off Rainey, Hotel Van Zandt balances elegance with down-home warmth in an artfully designed music-themed setting (the chandeliers are made of trombones). Guests hang in its stellar lobby for daily 5 to 6 p.m. social hours complete with complimentary craft beer and wine; Thursdays include live music.
Hotel Van Zandt in Austin, Texas, hosts daily social hours complete with complimentary craft beer and wine, and live music on Thursdays.
Courtesy of Robin Soslow, Special to MySA
The dog- and family-friendly hotel's features include a fourth-floor outdoor deck with a cabana-ringed pool and stunning city and lake views, plus valet parking (parking is hard to find in this district). The aforementioned Geraldine's is also based in the hotel. If you need to work off the district's tasty nibbles and sips, the hotel has loaner bicycles for guests to use along with and a fitness room.
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Find it: 605 Davis St., Austin, TX 78701; 512-542-5300
Additional lodging options in the Rainey Street District include home-shares at Natiivo Austin.
Spend time outdoors near and on the water
On the district's western edge, the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center is closed until 2025 for a major expansion, but its lakefront lawn remains popular for relaxing, dog-walking and checking out the gleaming sculpture that honors Tejano music legends, some who lived and played on Rainey Street decades ago.
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The 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail passes through Rainey Street's District.
Courtesy of Robin Soslow, Special to MySA
Just south, Waller Beach caters to picnickers and paddlers. Both spots edge the 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, a safe, scenic path edging Lady Bird Lake and the Colorado River. It connects to playing fields, dog parks, outdoor gyms, downtown attractions and Longhorn Dam.
How to get around Rainey Street
On a visit to Rainey Street, the best transportation options include pedicabs, ride-share, bike-share stations and walking. There are a few convenient but pricey parking garages as well as metered street parking. Cheaper parking is located four blocks away at Austin Convention Center's garages.
