10 Best Rainey Street & South Congress Happy Hours

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Looking to unwind with discounted cocktails, cheap drinks in Austin, and delicious patio bites after a long week? South Congress Avenue (SoCo) and the historic Rainey Street Historic District offer some of the liveliest happy hours in the city. Whether you’re hunting for half-priced oysters, craft draft beers, or signature margaritas, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to kicking off your weekend.

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Also check out these articles – Best Austin IPAs, Best Patio Restaurants in Austin, Best Breweries in Austin, Late Night Food Austin, and Best Austin Rooftop Bars & Restaurants!

Top South Congress Happy Hour Spots

Lucky Robot

Image credit: Lucky Robot Japanese Kitchen Facebook

Lucky Robot serves up modern Japanese street food and sustainable sushi right on the main SoCo strip. Their weekday happy hour features steep discounts on hot stone bites, signature maki, and craft sake.

Happy Hour: Monday – Friday 4:30 pm – 6 pm
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm | Friday – Saturday 11:30 am – 3:30 pm & 4:30 pm – 10 pm | Sunday 11:30 am – 3:30 pm & 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: 1303 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
How Much: $9 specialty cocktails; 6-9 select food bites (Zucchini Katsu, Beef Hot Rock); discounted sake bottles.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

A classic choice for casual South Congress dining, Hopdoddy’s happy hour is perfect for an early evening drink. Pair half-priced local craft drafts and frozen margaritas with mini burger sliders and hand-cut fries.

Happy Hour: Monday – Thursday 3 pm – 6 pm
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday 11 am – 10 pm | Friday – Saturday 11 am – 11 pm
Where: 1400 S Congress Ave Suite A190, Austin, TX 78704
How Much: 1/2 off all signature cocktails, draft beer, and wine by the glass; discounted slider plates.

Aba Austin

Aba offers a Mediterranean-inspired oasis with a stunning oak-shaded patio. Enjoy coastal Mediterranean small plates, Mediterranean wines, and specialty craft cocktails at a discount during their early evening window.

Happy Hour: Tuesday – Friday 4 pm – 7 pm
Operating Hours: Lunch: Monday – Friday 11 am – 4 pm || Dinner: Monday – Thursday 4 pm – 10 pm | Friday 4 pm – 11 pm | Saturday 3 pm – 11 pm | Sunday 3 pm – 9 pm || Brunch: Saturday – Sunday 10 am – 3 pm
Where: 1011 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
How Much: 8-10 wines by the glass; $10 select cocktails; 6-10 spreads and Mediterranean bites.

Two Hands

This Australian-inspired coastal café serves up bright, refreshing cocktails and healthy snacks in an uplifting space. It’s an ideal spot for a sunny afternoon drink along South Congress.

Happy Hour: Daily 4 pm – 6 pm
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday 8 am – 9 pm | Friday – Saturday 8 am – 10 pm
Where: 1011 S Congress Ave Suite 110, Austin, TX 78704
How Much: $3 off signature cocktails; $2 off draft beer and wine; discounted shareable snacks.

June’s All Day

Image credit: June’s All Day Facebook

A neighborhood bistro with a wine-focused menu and retro jukebox vibe. Monday evenings are legendary here, offering massive discounts on their curated sparkling wine and champagne list.

Happy Hour: Monday – Friday 3 pm – 5 pm | Monday 5 pm – Close
Operating Hours: Lunch: Monday – Friday 11 am – 4 pm || Brunch: Saturday – Sunday 9 am – 3 pm || Dinner: Daily 4 pm – 10 pm
Where: 1722 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
How Much: 1/2 off all sparkling wine bottles on Mondays; $2 off cocktails and wine glasses on weekdays.

Güero’s Taco Bar

Housed in a former feed store, Güero’s is a South Congress landmark known for hand-shaken margaritas, authentic Mexican food, and live tunes in the adjacent Oak Garden.

Happy Hour: Monday all day | Tuesday – Friday 3 pm – 6 pm
Operating Hours: Sunday – Tuesday 11 am – 9 pm | Wednesday – Saturday 11 am – 10 pm
Where: 1412 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
How Much: Discounted house margaritas, draft Mexican beers, and appetizer specials.

Rainey Street Happy Hour & Bars

Anthem

Anthem offers an Asian-Texan fusion menu in an energetic space along Rainey Street. Their long afternoon happy hour features creative tiki-style cocktails and bold small bites like brisket rangoons.

Happy Hour: Monday – Friday Open – 7 pm | Sunday All Day
Operating Hours: Monday – Wednesday 3:30 pm – 10 pm | Thursday – Saturday 12 pm – 10 pm | Sunday 12 pm – 9 pm
Where: 91 Rainey St Ste 120, Austin, TX 78701
How Much: $8 select cocktails and house wines; 6-15 Asian-Texan snacks.

Half Step

Image credit: Half Step Facebook

If you prefer artisanal craft cocktails over beer buckets, Half Step delivers expertly built drinks in a relaxed bungalow setting with an expansive rear patio.

Happy Hour: Monday – Friday until 7 pm
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday 4 pm – 2 am | Friday – Saturday 12 pm – 2 am
Where: 75 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
How Much: $8 classic signature cocktails; $5 craft draft beers.

Bar Fino

A stylish, Mediterranean-inspired neighborhood cocktail bar on Rainey Street offering refined drinks, small plates, and a relaxed, upscale atmosphere.

Happy Hour: Aperitivo Hour: Wednesday – Thursday 4 pm – 7 pm
Operating Hours: Kitchen: Monday – Thursday 5 pm – 10 pm | Friday – Saturday 1 pm – 12 am | Sunday 1 pm – 10 pm || Bar: Monday – Wednesday 4 pm – 11 pm | Thursday 4 pm – 12 am | Friday 3:30 pm – 1 am | Saturday 1 pm – 1 am | Sunday 1 pm – 11 pm
Where: 88 1/2 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
How Much: $12 Spritzes; $3 Oysters; $8 specialty cocktails; $5 local draft beers; discounted tapas; bites

El Alma

Image credit: El Alma South Facebook

Located just across the river near South Congress, El Alma’s rooftop deck provides fantastic views of Downtown Austin along with strong margaritas and authentic Mexican appetizers.

Happy Hour: Daily 3 pm – 6 pm
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday 11 am – 10 pm | Saturday – Sunday 10 am – 10 pm
Where: 1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
How Much: 6-7 house margaritas; $5 beers & sangria; discounted queso and appetizers.

Know Before You Go

While most of these happy hour venues are concentrated along South Congress Avenue and Rainey Street in Central Austin, they are quickly accessible for residents coming from surrounding suburbs like Barton Creek, Westlake, and East Austin. Parking on South Congress can be tricky; utilize paid street parking along S 1st Street or nearby parking garages (like the South Congress Hotel garage) to avoid towing.

Common Questions about South Congress Happy Hour in Austin

What time does happy hour typically start on South Congress?

Most South Congress restaurants run their happy hour specials between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM on weekdays, though select spots like Anthem and Lustre Pearl start as early as noon.

Are there Sunday happy hours on Rainey Street or South Congress?

Yes! Anthem on Rainey Street offers an all-day happy hour on Sundays, while Café No Sé and Two Hands on South Congress host daily happy hour specials from 3:00 PM/4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Where can I find cheap drinks on Rainey Street?

Lustre Pearl and Clive Bar offer some of the cheapest drinks in the Rainey Street district, with $4 Lone Star cans, $5 well drinks, and $8 frozen cocktails before 8:00 PM.

Looking for more? See the upcoming Weekend Events in Austin.