Fairweather

Rainey Street has accumulated a lot of bars since it emerged as Austin's premium bar strip in the early 2010s. Most of them compete on craft cocktails, curated beer lists, or weekend DJ lineups. Fairweather competes on vibe alone, and it wins. The outdoor space — picnic tables, string lights, giant live oak trees overhead — is one of those accidentally perfect bar setups that no amount of interior design can replicate.

The drinks are uncomplicated and priced accessibly for Rainey Street, which is saying something. The tap list rotates with a sensible mix of Texas craft and national craft, the well cocktails are mixed properly, and the frozen drinks are genuinely excellent on 95-degree Austin afternoons. The bartenders work fast and friendly, and the tip jar fills up accordingly.

What keeps Fairweather in consistent rotation for Austin regulars is the crowd. It mixes in a way that most Rainey Street bars do not: tech workers, musicians, couples on early dates, and groups of friends who have been coming since the bar opened in 2016. The food truck situation — different trucks most evenings — means you can make a full evening of it without leaving. We recommend the street tacos from whichever truck is parked closest to the door.