Rainey Street
Rainey Street
4.5
About
Rainey Street is a historic but bustling area in Austin, known for its bungalow homes, that have been converted into the coolest bars and restaurants. Grab some quick bites from the food trucks and sit down by a porch or picnic table to people- (and dog-!) watch in the day. By night, head to one of the bungalow bars or restaurants for great Texan food, delicious cocktails, and of course, amazing live music.
Plan your visit in March to catch the SXSW festival, which takes over Rainey Street with cool events and celebrity encounters. For more history, guided walking and bike tours of Austin often make a stop here, too. – Tripadvisor
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- Bob AngryMelbourne, Florida1,358 contributionsSmaller and less live music than expectedWe arrived thinking this would rival Broadway in Nashville, but boy, our expectations were shattered. We found 2 spots playing live music. One had a decent band but overpriced watered-down drinks. The other had a band that just seemed to jam and had more reasonably priced but also watered-down drinks. Meh...Visited February 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten February 24, 2023
- JeffB32Bloomfield Township, Michigan4,128 contributionsJust OKI really wanted to love Rainy Street but we thought it was just ok. We thought it would be a cute little quaint place with all those houses turned into restaurants/bars. What we found was every place had music that was way too loud so we could not have a conversation while enjoying a drink and some live music. Again, really wanted to love this place and thought it was just ok. We visited on Saturday afternoon.Visited April 2023Written May 6, 2023
- kevin jMarathon, Florida15 contributionsRoom for improvementUnderstanding construction, the place was dirty with lots of walking hazards. Considering this is a main party area and in other parts of the city we saw street workers cleaning up, this strip was kind of dumpy. Businesses were open late. Food trucks were hit or miss. Place looked like it lacked any business pride. Ask around to streamline your trip. Place is changing fastVisited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 18, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
245 reviews
Excellent
153
Very good
63
Average
25
Poor
4
Terrible
0
Brad W
Vancouver, WA238 contributions
Jun 2019 • Business
Maybe a couple steps up from 6th street, this is really just another block where houses have been converted to music and drinking establishments. I imagine this place is zoo'd out on the weekends when school is in session. Weekends in general I suppose. Like 6th st, there isn't a lot here for the non drinker
Written June 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J S
Melbourne, Australia245 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
As tourists in town we went and had a look in 6th street and it was a bit rough......so we decided to move on a try Rainey.......we spent every night there!!!
Rainey seems a lot more "local" and a lot cleaner and safer. we never had any issues there....there are a heap of bars to choose from, each with their own theme or vibe. live bands, DJs, made from a container...all the options are there.....you can walk up and down the street its not far at all. Lots of beer gardens as well, so the warmer the weather the better. A MUST
Rainey seems a lot more "local" and a lot cleaner and safer. we never had any issues there....there are a heap of bars to choose from, each with their own theme or vibe. live bands, DJs, made from a container...all the options are there.....you can walk up and down the street its not far at all. Lots of beer gardens as well, so the warmer the weather the better. A MUST
Written April 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie J
Scottsdale110 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
Having been to Austin before, a friend told us to check out Rainey Street instead of the usual scene on 6th. We went to Lustre Pearl and Clive....and I'd go back to both bars..the employees are very friendly, the ambiance and drinks were great! It's a much better scene for the 40-something crowd!
Written January 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica H
Dillon, CO16 contributions
Jun 2015
We planned on just stopping by for dinner, a drink & to check out the scenery.... And ended up staying all night. Each bar/restaurant is unique in its atmosphere, foods they offer & drinks. My husband & I loved 6th St., But Rainey St. Has a very chill atmosphere that is worth the stop! Definitely Uber down here!
Written June 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deb S
Austin, TX312 contributions
May 2015 • Business
Totally different vibe than "dirty" 6th Street. Just great bars with awesome ambiance, and some great food. Go here for some "grown-up" fun.
Written June 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shenell
14 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
This was suggested to us by some locals while standing in line at Hopdoddy's and I'm glad we took them up on it! Rainey street consists of small homes that have been converted to bars. You just walk up and down the street coming and going as you please. There's food, drinks, and, of course, live music. I really felt like this was the "6th Street" for the young professionals of Austin. Laid-back, mature vibe where you can still really have a fun time. Those that don't like to feel like tourists would love it here. I would definitely come back to Rainey every time I'm in Austin, especially if you don't want the trash-faced college vibe of 6th.
Written January 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy K
Redmond, WA41 contributions
Jun 2019
This is not a restaurant or a bar - it is an entire street of destinations to explore. A friend and I started with a cocktail at a few different stops, then had dinner at a restaurant, and finished with a nightcap. The best location? Wander the street, pick a place that appeals to you, sit down and order - you have arrived at the best location.
Written July 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mmuntner
New York City, NY142 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
We came during the day and had a great time at a few different bars. And as awful as it is to say, it was neat to see a former residential block turned into a street filled with bars and restaurants. You couldn't help but think about people used to live where we enjoyed our fancy cocktails. Sadly, the bar we had the most fun at, was also one with a lot of controversy around it. Unbarlievable. I googled it after we left and saw that the owner was maybe not such a great guy...(racist, and anti-semitic) but hey, they had a giant fake giraffe and a slide!
Oh, we drove there, and it was a challenge to find parking. We ended up paying 20 dollars for valet parking for 3 hours.
Oh, we drove there, and it was a challenge to find parking. We ended up paying 20 dollars for valet parking for 3 hours.
Written February 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dothedishes
Wylie, TX24 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
We attempted to try the food truck area that was suggested to me but didn't make it out of the car. There were lots of trucks as well as bars with outdoor seating.
The issue for my husband and I was the crowd. It consisted of young/college aged people. My husband and I are nearly 40 years old and I felt like it just wasn't the scene for us.
We were approached by four people, asking for money while looking for parking so we decided to keep driving. I'd recommend exercising caution while walking around but there were two policemen on bicycles
The issue for my husband and I was the crowd. It consisted of young/college aged people. My husband and I are nearly 40 years old and I felt like it just wasn't the scene for us.
We were approached by four people, asking for money while looking for parking so we decided to keep driving. I'd recommend exercising caution while walking around but there were two policemen on bicycles
Written July 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikeyveck
Dallas, TX926 contributions
Sep 2016 • Friends
There are plenty of cool bars, delicious food truck eats, and live music. Parking is easy on weeknights and there is a park at the end of the street. It smells good, looks clean. And there are no young zombies staggering towards you all high, getting in your face looking for money or cigarettes, like in other parts of town. Great time!
Written September 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
is it more 21 and up or 18 and up?
taraz76
East Peoria, IL71 contributions
Besides the food trucks on that street, it is 21 to be on the property of almost every place on Rainey, including their outdoor areas.
Tara S
1 contribution
This isn’t a question but rather some info for parents. To those who think this is a fun family place in the afternoon, like I did, because of the multiple places with outdoor spaces and games, it isn’t. We literally couldn’t get in to play outdoor jenga, etc or sit in hammocks with our kids. Online it looked so family friendly (for a place to just hang out for the day) but you aren’t even allowed to come on and order an oj. I might have been naive expecting a family friendly, outdoor restaurant area in Austin since we’ve taken the kids to NOLA in the early daytime but no. It’s all about alcohol consumption here.
David H
Mesa, AZ6 contributions
Yup, this is a playground for millennial's and no child should be exposed to a millennial.
what is the walk like from rainey street to 6th street. distance?. Is it safe?
Sylvia DrSoul Fernandez
San Juan, Puerto Rico9,577 contributions
Really good question! I felf very safe all over Austin, although it depends on how you feel walking in places you do not know. During the day I would say its a 15 to 20 minute walk and at night a faster walk, hahahaahhaah! I enjoyed both places but an Uber or Lyft ride at night would be the best to give your feet a rest! If this was helpful please give me a helpful vote and follow me to find out about amazing places in Austin. I visited for two months January and February 2019!
brinaajay
Houston, TX
Planning on going to Rainey St soon. How is parking there? I’ve heard and read there is a place that you have to pay for at least 4 hours.. what about street parking? Is there any place for it? Or is it completely packed and almost impossible for decent parking? Is it better to just Uber there? Sadly the hotel is about 20-30 minutes away from the street
On the road again
New Smyrna Beach, FL262 contributions
Or Uber, especially if you are drinking
Krista C
Austin, TX36 contributions
If we go to Rainey street early (4-6pm ish) will there be things going on? Or is it best to go later in the evening?
805onthego
Newbury Park95 contributions
I agree with needhleps anaheim. Nothing much going on early,The street gets busier later, but if you are just popping in to get the feel of each bar who cares
MrsTraveler018
Houston, TX1 contribution
Where can we park, is there a parking garage or designated area for Rainey St?
Bobbi Sue
Brooklet, GA84 contributions
There is a white gravel parking lot at the very end of the street, adjacent to Container Bar. We found, bough, that you must pay for a minimum of 4 hours at that lot. There is a public parking lot on the next street over/behind Rainey Street that was public parking by the hour. Or street parking.
Deb M
Evansville, IN1 contribution
I assume bars and music are also available during the week? We will be in Austin for one night on a Weds. I visited Rainey st 3years ago-loved it!!
cdnwatchguy
Sherwood Park Alberta66 contributions
Yes. Any day of the week. It was my favorite part of visiting Austin.
Heather C
5 contributions
Is this a place that is friendly for under 21? Thinking of walking around during the day and eating with some kiddos, but not sure if they will be allowed into any of the bars/restaurants?
Arin S
12 contributions
I would not take children at night. The bars were very crowded with partying young adults. The food truck part would be good durning the day. But again - not at night.
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Rainey Street Information
Excellent Reviews | 153 |
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