Found: Your Ultimate Sunday Funday on Rainey Street

This guest blog article is by Dawn Sarnecky.

As a transplant from Michigan, my typical weekend always started on Friday and continued through Saturday. I would potentially spend my Sunday nursing the after effects of those previous two days combined.

Little did I know that here in the ATX, Sunday is when all the cool kids go out, just as if it were a regular ol’ Saturday night.

Adapting to my adopted city, I set out to find the perfect formula for what many Austinites refer to as Sunday Funday. I quickly discovered I could happily spend the entire day in one neighborhood. Sunday Funday destination: Rainey Street.

Build Your Own

To start off the day, head to Rainey Street. There you will find a little place called Bungalow (92 Rainey St). Here is where the FUNday really kicks off. You will hear the live DJ bumpin’ beats while you sip on a $5 bloody mary from the build-your-own bloody mary bar, complete with Austin’s own Tito’s vodka.

In addition to the $5 bloodys, they have $1 mimosas until 3 PM and $2 domestic brews all day on Sunday. Great bar for you, even better for your wallet.

The atmosphere is low key, but make sure you get there early because this place packs up and during the hotter months you’ll want to get in front of one of the giant cooling fans outside.

Don’t’ forget to grab a free taco, yours with any drink purchase, from the Wild Taco food truck out back. Savings and good times at a local Austin bar? Where do I sign up?

Local Motown Sounds

Around 4 PM, walk across the street to Icenhauers (83 Rainey St). The first Sunday of each month, they have free chicken and waffles. Key word: FREE. Icenhauers also has large mason jars of one of their signature cocktails, The Allison. It’s a delicious champagne-sangria creation and, for only $5 on Sundays, it’s a steal.

My favorite part of Sunday Funday at Icenhauers is enjoying tunes from live local band, The Nightowls. Motown is in my soul and they could not perfect the sounds so sweetly. If you miss the chance to see this 10-piece group on any given Sunday from 4-7 PM, they’ll be playing at Austin City Limits Music Festival in October 2014. My advice? See these guys before they make it big.

Sausages and a Sweet Treat

If Motown isn’t your thing, bypass Icenhauers and skip next door to Bangers Sausage House & Beer Garden (79 Rainey St). They currently have Big Band Brunch from 12-3 PM, where they bring in music groups who jam out to big band tunes.

Bangers also offers some unique brunch items, not your average fair. Pair any brunch plate with the Manmosa, which is a 1 liter mug of champagne with a little bit of orange or cranberry juice. The Manmosa packs a punch, so there is a limit to one per person.

With over 100+ brews on tap, give yourself some time to hang out here. If you bring your furry four-legged companions, they have a little dog park where your pups can hang out and meet some new friends of their own. My last suggestion: treat yourself and get down on the housemade snickers ice cream jar. You may end up becoming addicted, but you will not be disappointed.

Pizza Pie in Your Eye

If you didn’t get to enjoy a tasty sausage and a brew at Banger’s, head down the street to Craft Pride (61 Rainey St). They currently have 54 beers on tap and out back is the beloved Via 313 food trailer.

The two brothers who own the trailer hail from my hometown of Detroit and they make pizza the best way: SAUCE ON TOP! My favorite selections are the Omnivore (cheese, mushrooms, onions, green pepper, pepperoni – the little kind – and hot Italian sausage) and the Cadillac (gorgonzola cheese, fig preserves, prosciutto, balsamic glaze). They also serve specialty pizzas that change on a weekly basis. You can never make a wrong turn with any of their pizza choices, especially with that deep dish crust.

This Rainey Street style of Sunday Funday should relieve those Monday blues everyone talks about. I wouldn’t know, because most of my Sundays are similar to this one. Enjoy!

Hailing from the arctic tundra that is Michigan, Dawn Sarnecky moved to the ATX three years ago and has been in love with it ever since. She is passionate about animals, music and supporting all things local. In her words, “It has been amazing to watch this city grow and I look forward to what the future has in store.”

@theAustinot asks:

Did we miss your favorite Sunday Funday spot on Rainey? Let us know in a comment.