If you have spent any time on Rainey Street, you know the drill: old houses turned into bars, side-by-side, with a lot of the action happening outdoors. Lucille Patio Lounge is one of the best examples of that formula, and it is worth a visit whether you are in the neighborhood for the afternoon or settling in for the night. The bar sits at 77 Rainey Street in a renovated 1920s bungalow, and it takes its name from Lucille, the sassy flapper girl who lived in the house back in the twenties. That bit of history sets the tone for a place that is equal parts Austin charm and unpretentious neighborhood tavern.
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The patio is the real draw here. It is large, shaded, and dog-friendly, and it is built for long stretches of sitting around. There is a putting green, bean bag toss, giant chess, and giant Jenga to keep things moving, plus hammocks for when you would rather not. The staff has thought about the Texas weather, too, with heaters and awnings for the colder months and misters to beat the heat, and there is a water station and a nap spot on the concrete for leashed dogs. Inside, the vibe shifts a bit: sexy lighting, chandeliers, low ambient music, and two full-service bars, one indoors and one out, so you are never far from a refill.
Drink-wise, the focus is on Texas. You will find local beers on tap and cocktails made with fresh fruit and handcrafted liquors from around the state. A few standouts give you a sense of the range: a Draft Pilsner for $7, a House Margarita at $11, a Frozen Paloma for $12, and the Lucille Special Tea at $13.85, which mixes Deep Eddy sweet tea vodka with citrus juices and soda. There are seasonal specials in the mix as well, like the Elf Elixir and the Bad Apple. If you are keeping it simple, a PBR tallboy is $5 and a well whiskey soda is $6. The bar does not serve food, but that is part of the Rainey Street experience: the nearby food trucks, like TacoMan 512, have you covered, and during happy hour you can grab tacos like el pastor for $2 each.
Speaking of happy hour, it runs every day from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and is one of the better deals on the street. You get $2 off all draft beers, $5 off well drinks, and $6 off the specialty frozens, plus a round of $5 cocktails that includes a Wasabi Bloody Mary, a spicy margarita, and a cucumber tini with a salt rim. With 150 seats and a casual dress code, it is the kind of place where you can show up in a t-shirt and stay for a few hours without feeling out of place. The music leans alternative and indie, the crowd is relaxed, and the whole thing comes in at a moderate price point, mostly in the $10 to $20 range.
A couple of practical notes before you head over. Parking is street parking and it is extremely limited, so a rideshare or a scooter is the smarter call. The bar is open every day, with the longest hours on Thursday through Saturday, when it stays open until 2:00 AM. Reservations are available through Book a Table if you have a group, and you can reach them at (512) 596-1515. Whether you are there for the happy hour deals or just a quiet drink on the patio with your dog, Lucille is a classic Rainey Street stop.
