Originally developed in 1884 by cattle baron Jesse Driskill and Frank Rainey, Rainey Street has seen floods, rezoning, and reinvention, transforming from a quiet residential area into one of Austin’s liveliest entertainment districts. Lined with bungalows from the early 1900s, this National Register of Historic Places district blends old-Austin charm with a modern bar and food scene.

Once isolated by the construction of I-35, the neighborhood languished for decades before a 2004 rezoning boom gave new life to its historic homes—many now converted into cocktail lounges, beer gardens, and live music spots, each with large porches, backyard patios, and laid-back vibes. Today, Rainey Street is home to must-visit spots like Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden, known for its massive craft beer selection, and a rotating lineup of food trucks serving everything from late-night tacos to gourmet bites.

Despite high-rise condos creeping in, Rainey Street remains one of Austin’s most distinctive nightlife districts, where the past and present collide under twinkling patio lights and the hum of live music. Even King of the Hill paid homage to its legacy, setting Hank Hill’s fictional neighborhood on a street of the same name.