The Top Places to Eat and Drink on Rainey Street

Built out of repurposed freight containers, the Container Bar was the first to break the old-houses-turned-bars mold on Rainey Street. The seven containers are stacked to create a second floor of intimate rooms. Each space is fairly small, but the containers surround a huge central courtyard. Explore this bar before you've visited the other ones so that you can fully appreciate how unique it is. In addition to creating a one-of-a-kind experience, the design is an excellent example of adaptive reuse.

The signature drink at Container Bar is a Sour Cherry Old Fashioned, with cherry bitters, lemon, and Bulleit Bourbon.

Offering an ever-changing menu of artisanal drinks such as the Peach Smash, Bungalow sets itself apart from the rest of the Rainey Street crowd by offering a medium-energy vibe and laid back bartenders. In summertime, the adult snowcones are a must-have. It also has a sprawling outdoor area with games. 

Serving only Texas-made beers, Craft Pride is heaven for Lone Star beer nerds. After knocking back a few pints, head to the VIA Pizza truck in the back and enjoy one of the best pizzas in town. It's Detroit-style!

At the rear of the bar, the Bottle Shoppe offers many of the craft beers and a few Texas wines to go. 

As of September 2018, the construction activity around Craft Pride has become slightly less intense. A few construction cranes still hover overhead, and new buildings cast a shadow over many of the nearby bars. As you walk down the street, you often have to navigate around roped-off construction zones. 

Low lighting and elegant decor make this one of the few Rainey Street bars with a romantic atmosphere. The dangerous little secret at Clive Bar is the tiny mescal bar in the back. It serves several varieties of this tequila-like firewater, but proceed with caution. At the main bar, the specialty is infused spirits. 

With a design inspired by hill country dance halls, Javelina is a relaxing spot amid the chaos that is Rainey Street. The bar has a nice selection of local beers and a few specialty cocktails, such as the Kimble, made with rum, mango, and jalapeño. The watermelon-based Sandiamo is also a refreshing and boozy treat. However, the food is the main attraction at Javelina. Don't miss the sweet potato fries or the borracho tacos. Looking for a hardy appetizer? Try the Javelina Eggs with chipotle aioli and pork sausage. For something lighter, try the Grilled Watermelon Salad.