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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4.5
245 reviews
Excellent
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Very good
63
Average
26
Poor
4
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0
Mary&Bobontheroad
Friendswood, TX1,484 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
St Patrick’s day visit. One word- Insane. We toiled a van tour of the area. Loud is an understatement and beer was flowing copiously. Not for the faint of heart.
Written 18 March 2024
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.
kevin j
Marathon, FL18 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Understanding 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 fast
Written 18 September 2023
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.
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN3,477 contributions
June 2022
Great area for nightlife. Many drinking establishments to choose from. Bangers and Craft Pride were our favorite spots
Written 23 May 2023
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.
JeffB32
Bloomfield Township, MI4,128 contributions
Apr 2023
I 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.
Written 6 May 2023
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.
Bob Angry
Melbourne, FL1,360 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
We 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...
Written 24 February 2023
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.
D B
1 contribution
Oct 2022 • Couples
We were there in the early evening. Power drinkers were out and trashed already. Trash everywhere and just a college frat house outside. I can’t imagine locals hang out there.
Food we had was horrible. We got two brisket tacos and a coke was 18 bucks and they have a tip screen on the credit card thing that starts at 18 percent and goes up from there. They were horrible. The greasiest tacos I have ever seen.maybe it’s because they see how much you tip before you get your food. It’s not like you were served eother. They give you a beeper and you go pick it up when it’s ready. No danger of us going back.
However , if you want live music and drinks and drinks I suppose you found a spot.
Food we had was horrible. We got two brisket tacos and a coke was 18 bucks and they have a tip screen on the credit card thing that starts at 18 percent and goes up from there. They were horrible. The greasiest tacos I have ever seen.maybe it’s because they see how much you tip before you get your food. It’s not like you were served eother. They give you a beeper and you go pick it up when it’s ready. No danger of us going back.
However , if you want live music and drinks and drinks I suppose you found a spot.
Written 23 October 2022
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.
Laura D
Downers Grove, IL96 contributions
July 2022
fun place to walk around. Drinks are NOT cheap One place was $37 for two drinks. We ended up at Lucille's and found that to be more casual and reasonably priced. There are some food trucks at the end of the street. We had the grilled cheese which was very good! Those are card only places down there so be prepared. We were there in the late afternoon so it was not too crowded. I would go early and enjoy the area before it gets too crowded. Parking is available close and it is also a short walk from congress ave.
Written 9 July 2022
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.
BlondeeCMK
Albuquerque, NM139 contributions
Oct 2021
This is my opinion was way better than 6th street on Halloween! Bar after bar of fun outdoor live music!
Written 17 February 2022
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.
BrianB32931
Cocoa Beach, FL267 contributions
Oct 2021
This is absolutely the Austin party place. If i was still 22-29 this is the place i would go. I did find a cool tiki bar at the end of the strip for a couple of cold drinks. i was there post game time on a saturday and the place was jammed. i can imagine the party really starts to roll after dark.
Written 12 October 2021
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.
Peg H
5 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Wanted to explore the food trucks on Sunday midday but most were closed. Meanwhile, the bars were hopping. The street itself reminded me of Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Dingy and smelled like alcohol everywhere. Returned at night for the food trucks and got a great meal but it was huge time partying along the whole street. Not the scene for a a 52 year old couple IMO
Written 11 October 2021
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 Rico9,578 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, FL270 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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Claim your listingRainey Street - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Rainey Street
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Rainey Street:
- Austin in a Nutshell Bike Tour with a Local Guide (From AU$99.07)
- Austin Scavenger Hunt: Birds, Bats, BBQ and Bass (From AU$18.81)
- Austin Skyline Kayak Tour (From AU$105.43)
- Austin Murals & Mimosas Roofless Party Bus Tour and Photoshoot (From AU$909.15)
- Private Austin Bar Hop with Pre-Dinner Cocktail (From AU$1,897.75)
- Hotels near Rainey Street:
- (0.15 km) Hotel Van Zandt
- (0.08 km) Cambria Hotel Austin Downtown
- (0.08 km) Homewood Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown
- (0.37 km) Fairmont Austin
- (0.08 km) Fairfield Inn & Suites By Marriott Austin Downtown
- Restaurants near Rainey Street:
- (0.02 km) Banger's Sausage House and Beer Garden
- (0.03 km) Half Step
- (0.03 km) Little Lucy's
- (0.04 km) Unbarlievable
- (0.05 km) Gebby’s BBQ & Catering
- Attractions near Rainey Street:
- (0.02 km) Lucille Patio Lounge
- (0.04 km) Half Step
- (0.04 km) Unbarlievable
- (0.06 km) Street Magic by Rudy Reynoso
- (0.11 km) Craft Pride