Austin, Texas story
From Historic Bungalows to Bustling Bars
Discover how Austin's Rainey Street transformed from a quiet residential neighborhood of early twentieth-century bungalows into a vibrant nightlife district of renovated houses turned into bars and restaurants.
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Ever had a craft cocktail inside a historic bungalow? Welcome to Rainey Street, a bustling entertainment district near Lady Bird Lake on the edge of downtown Austin. Today, it is famous for its lively nightlife, but it was once a quiet residential neighborhood.
Between 1885 and 1937, families built traditional bungalow homes here, including thirty-one buildings on the stretch between River and Driskill streets built before 1934. Everything changed after a 2005 rezoning. The original residents moved or were displaced, and high-rises began to shoot up.
But instead of losing all of its history, twenty-one buildings were identified as part of a historic district. Many of the remaining historic houses were creatively renovated into vibrant bars and dining spots. As you walk down the street today, you are stepping through a unique architectural mashup where Austin's residential past meets its bustling modern energy.
Grab a drink on a cozy front porch and toast to the historic homes that found a second life.
Updated June 2026