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We came here before Panic at the Paramount to hit up a Halloween themed bar and also as we don't get to Rainey street much. This place was themed at Murderritaville so it had a mix of horror and Jimmy Buffet, so no Paradise cheeseburgers here!. The décor was mini skeletons riding flamingos, and a undead skeleton band. Spiderwebs and parrots were all over. It was a neat mix of both themes. The bartender was fast, friendly, and easygoing. They had several themed drinks, mine was the Graveyard Grog which was tasty. SHANA SAYS: The place was cute and they had good drinks! The bathroom was clean which is not always the case downtown. I wouldn't call the place comfy or cozy but it was fun. The drinks were all good, they even had their own homemade version of fireball or something. It was fun to try a variation on that. The music was fun and fit the theme, though no Jimmy Buffett played while we were there, as there are quite a few bars on the street all close together and most themed it seemed like people stopped in, got a drink and/or shots and took pictures then moved on. We didn't go to other bars but guessing it's the same at least at the time we came in. We were there fairly early as we have plans later so around 2:30 to 3 pm. It was fun and we want to go back and check out other bars and revisit them at some point. Maybe next Halloween.
I loved their cocktails here! They have a menu of their current offerings. Or just tell them what in general terms you are looking for, and they will create something for you. The drinks I had were incredibly good. It's not a huge space but there are lots of tables and a few booths. There is also a patio outside. There's a food truck lot right next door. This is definitely the place to go on Rainey Street.
One of the last original houses that still preserves that original Rainey charm. Once you walk through the door you can feel instant cozy vibe like entering a retro ski lodge. Lots of seating options to catch up with a group of friends or for an intimate date night. We stopped in on National Margarita day to catch their $2 margs deal. On Thursdays, come by for some live jazz shows. In the warmer months, you can hang out on the patio or in the backyard. In the holiday winter months, they serve a cozy holiday cocktail menu and a solid hot toddy. Always great cocktails and welcoming atmosphere. Make a half step or two into this cozy, cocktail bar! If you get lucky you might be greeted by the local hostess with the meowtess!
Rainey Street has changed so much over the years (sadly) - what was once a bohemian vibe from years ago has given way to tall buildings, new developments, and a towering concrete jungle... With that said, Rainey Street still draws crowds (and what seems to be many bachelor and bachelorette parties) and people seeking revelry. Of the many bars littering the area, Half Step was one of my favorites the last time I was in town. A bit of a more chill vibe - both plentiful indoor and outdoor seating. The drinks were top notch, and the bartenders were nice. They often have a food truck parked there where you can order food too. Fun/chill place to drop in for a drink and people watch from afar. If I am ever back on Rainey Street, I'd probably just chill here the entire time as it is much more my vibe.
Even though Rainey Street is pretty much considered a tourist trap shoved between ever-growing housing and corporate buildings, I still like heading over now and again. Especially when you've got places like Half Step that really take care of their customers. And by that I mean that the bartenders will take ti to go over menus with you, make a special-request, etc. They make really yummy cocktails that are priced comparable to anywhere else. Nothing beats relaxing on their front porch with a refreshing drink while people watching. Benji gives it two paws up.
I wanted to check out the food truck spot on Rainey but it was closed for renovation. Right next to it, I found the Half Step. The vibe was so good with outdoo floats and cowboy pools and a donut shop. As I stepped in, the decor was stellar, it had a bit of an antique touch to it. Looks like they had converted an old house into a bar, like most of places out there. We chose to sit outside since the inside was dark and loud. It gets pretty crowded at the bar and there was no table service. You can bring your dogs too. If you're lucky, you can find some street parking right outside, if not, you need to park a little far, close to the lake or those pricey garages. They have great cocktails and good selection of beers. I got the Kolsh!
Half Step was one of my favorite spots that we visited on Rainey. Nate and I were exploring this street during the day to avoid some crowds and craziness, which is much more our speed these days. Half Step was completely empty when we arrived but as we were leaving, a large group was filling the entire bar. The cocktail menu was nicely curated and I got the frozen pina colada, which was delicious and perfect. The frozen drink was a great texture without any ice chunks - just smooth and creamy. Nate got an espresso martini, which was nicely balanced and delicious. I liked the juices displayed in the chemistry beaker bottles on the bar. The bartender was super friendly, chatting with us and explaining where the water was, how to get out to the outdoor space, etc. Really great vibes here! We enjoyed our drinks and a chicken sandwich from the food truck out at the picnic tables.
During our stay in Austin we tried a few different cocktail bars and Half Step stood above the rest. The the location is quaint, service is personable and the drinks are very well made and presented. If you sit out on the front porch you get to enjoy some Rainey Street people watching and if a band/DJ is playing indoors, it is not as loud outside so you can still talk with people. Try out their whiskey Wednesdays and their HH menu. They have an excellent old fashioned for $8. Highly recommend paying a visit.
Late night trips to Rainey St are fun because its easier to find parking. We got lucky that this was the Holloween weekend so we got to see some really cool costumes too We had never been to Half Step, chose to go in because there seemed to be seating space available. I loved my espresso martini and Anuya got IPA which was good too, but the other folks in the group did not like their drinks at all which were the watermelon margarita and Floradora (I guess) There are still a few places left to try so half step will have to wait for us to be back.
2 months ago
Do you think a cocktail bar is the ideal place to eat some mini donuts? Probably not! That is exactly what we did yesterday. We had a Yelp mini donut event, and the food truck manager told us that he shared space with Half Step and to go right in to eat our donuts. Reluctantly, we went to door of Half Step and asked was it fine to do so. The door manager heartedly said yes, please come on in. We were welcomed with open arms. The bar was mostly full and popping. They have a huge TV screen and extensive cocktail offerings. Since mini donuts do not normally go together with cocktails, next time we will definitely try one of their cocktails. We leisurely ate our donuts and went on our merry way. A big shout out to Half Step bar for their kindness... read more
We were exploring SXSW installations and came across the Pittsburg House at Half Step bar on Rainey Street. They had an open bar with free drinks and live music on the stage out back. I tried several of their craft cocktails including the Frozen Pinacolada with 3 rum blend, pineapple, coconut and a hint of lime which was my favorite drink on the menu. Also had a craft mezcal margarita and tried the Paloma as well. Service was consistently friendly and attentive in my experience, even when it's busy. The pace can slow down a bit during peak hours, but nothing out of the ordinary for a popular bar. They have a great outdoor seating area with a stage for their live music performances. They had several bands on location performing at the event. There was plenty of outdoor seating. Overall, Half Step is a great spot if you're looking for a solid cocktail bar experience in Austin with a relaxed, slightly hidden-gem vibe. read more
We came here before Panic at the Paramount to hit up a Halloween themed bar and also as we don't get to Rainey street much. This place was themed at Murderritaville so it had a mix of horror and Jimmy Buffet, so no Paradise cheeseburgers here!. The décor was mini skeletons riding flamingos, and a undead skeleton band. Spiderwebs and parrots were all over. It was a neat mix of both themes. The bartender was fast, friendly, and easygoing. They had several themed drinks, mine was the Graveyard Grog which was tasty. SHANA SAYS: The place was cute and they had good drinks! The bathroom was clean which is not always the case downtown. I wouldn't call the place comfy or cozy but it was fun. The drinks were all good, they even had their own homemade version of fireball or something. It was fun to try a variation on that. The music was fun and fit the theme, though no Jimmy Buffett played while we were there, as there are quite a few bars on the street all close together and most themed it seemed like people stopped in, got a drink and/or shots and took pictures then moved on. We didn't go to other bars but guessing it's the same at least at the time we came in. We were there fairly early as we have plans later so around 2:30 to 3 pm. It was fun and we want to go back and check out other bars and revisit them at some point. Maybe next Halloween. read more
5 months ago
I loved their cocktails here! They have a menu of their current offerings. Or just tell them what in general terms you are looking for, and they will create something for you. The drinks I had were incredibly good. It's not a huge space but there are lots of tables and a few booths. There is also a patio outside. There's a food truck lot right next door. This is definitely the place to go on Rainey Street. read more
One of the last original houses that still preserves that original Rainey charm. Once you walk through the door you can feel instant cozy vibe like entering a retro ski lodge. Lots of seating options to catch up with a group of friends or for an intimate date night. We stopped in on National Margarita day to catch their $2 margs deal. On Thursdays, come by for some live jazz shows. In the warmer months, you can hang out on the patio or in the backyard. In the holiday winter months, they serve a cozy holiday cocktail menu and a solid hot toddy. Always great cocktails and welcoming atmosphere. Make a half step or two into this cozy, cocktail bar! If you get lucky you might be greeted by the local hostess with the meowtess! read more
Rainey Street has changed so much over the years (sadly) - what was once a bohemian vibe from years ago has given way to tall buildings, new developments, and a towering concrete jungle... With that said, Rainey Street still draws crowds (and what seems to be many bachelor and bachelorette parties) and people seeking revelry. Of the many bars littering the area, Half Step was one of my favorites the last time I was in town. A bit of a more chill vibe - both plentiful indoor and outdoor seating. The drinks were top notch, and the bartenders were nice. They often have a food truck parked there where you can order food too. Fun/chill place to drop in for a drink and people watch from afar. If I am ever back on Rainey Street, I'd probably just chill here the entire time as it is much more my vibe. read more
Even though Rainey Street is pretty much considered a tourist trap shoved between ever-growing housing and corporate buildings, I still like heading over now and again. Especially when you've got places like Half Step that really take care of their customers. And by that I mean that the bartenders will take ti to go over menus with you, make a special-request, etc. They make really yummy cocktails that are priced comparable to anywhere else. Nothing beats relaxing on their front porch with a refreshing drink while people watching. Benji gives it two paws up. read more
This is a bar on Rainey Street. It has a chill vibe. There's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. The drinks were pretty good and the bartenders were friendly. It's great for people watching or just relaxing. There are lots of bachelor and bachelorette parties around here too. read more
I wanted to check out the food truck spot on Rainey but it was closed for renovation. Right next to it, I found the Half Step. The vibe was so good with outdoo floats and cowboy pools and a donut shop. As I stepped in, the decor was stellar, it had a bit of an antique touch to it. Looks like they had converted an old house into a bar, like most of places out there. We chose to sit outside since the inside was dark and loud. It gets pretty crowded at the bar and there was no table service. You can bring your dogs too. If you're lucky, you can find some street parking right outside, if not, you need to park a little far, close to the lake or those pricey garages. They have great cocktails and good selection of beers. I got the Kolsh! read more
7 months ago
Half Step was one of my favorite spots that we visited on Rainey. Nate and I were exploring this street during the day to avoid some crowds and craziness, which is much more our speed these days. Half Step was completely empty when we arrived but as we were leaving, a large group was filling the entire bar. The cocktail menu was nicely curated and I got the frozen pina colada, which was delicious and perfect. The frozen drink was a great texture without any ice chunks - just smooth and creamy. Nate got an espresso martini, which was nicely balanced and delicious. I liked the juices displayed in the chemistry beaker bottles on the bar. The bartender was super friendly, chatting with us and explaining where the water was, how to get out to the outdoor space, etc. Really great vibes here! We enjoyed our drinks and a chicken sandwich from the food truck out at the picnic tables. read more
7 months ago
great atmosphere, low lit. had the football game on and got some amazing drinks for $9 a piece read more
3 years ago
A time was had! DJ on Friday night was a VIBEEEEE! The drinks were beautifully made and so tasty! I ran the same cocktail back a couple of times lol. They have inside seating and plenty of seating outside read more
2 years ago
During our stay in Austin we tried a few different cocktail bars and Half Step stood above the rest. The the location is quaint, service is personable and the drinks are very well made and presented. If you sit out on the front porch you get to enjoy some Rainey Street people watching and if a band/DJ is playing indoors, it is not as loud outside so you can still talk with people. Try out their whiskey Wednesdays and their HH menu. They have an excellent old fashioned for $8. Highly recommend paying a visit. read more
3 months ago
Late night trips to Rainey St are fun because its easier to find parking. We got lucky that this was the Holloween weekend so we got to see some really cool costumes too We had never been to Half Step, chose to go in because there seemed to be seating space available. I loved my espresso martini and Anuya got IPA which was good too, but the other folks in the group did not like their drinks at all which were the watermelon margarita and Floradora (I guess) There are still a few places left to try so half step will have to wait for us to be back. read more
1 year ago
Best drink I have had here in Austin. Bartenders were friendly and inviting. Indoor area is quaint and they have a larger outdoor area. Fun live music to enjoy too read more
5 months ago
11 months ago
1 year ago
We were a large party of 15 ppl and the service was excellent ! We got a round of lemon drops and watching the bartender make 15 lovely lemon drops was like watching a master work.. I didn't get their name but the bartender with the long red curly made me the best Shirley temple of my life they make their own grenadine in house and you can tell! It's a cute space as well. Thanks for the fun time! read more
I stopped by here when they were hosting the Midwest House during SXSW. I've been following them on Instagram for a while and was hoping that this place would have awesome cocktails. So when I came, I was kind of disappointed since they only had a few cocktail menus and there was a line and i couldn't get to one of those menus so I chickened out and just ordered a vodka soda. The vodka soda was what you would expect and perhaps the pour was a little light; mostly soda and the bartender did not upsell on a better vodka. On top of that, there was a sxsw surcharge which I suppose is expected but i didn't really feel that was the place to get craft drinks - more of a hangout place. I think the main attraction is the Spice Boys food trucks but they have several other locations so I don't think i would come back here for the food truck. read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
4 years ago
Half Step is the place to go on Rainey Street. Cocktails were top notch, the jazz band was energetic, and the bartender behind the counter was the most attractive, charming, and helpful man I've ever encountered in my life. My girlfriend and I were so in awe of his his tales of spending months down in Tequila, Mexico for tequila tasting that I had to escort us to Half Step's back patio in case either of us got any ideas. 10/10 would go again. read more
3 years ago
Nice bar, probably one of the better bars I've been to in the area because it had space and didn't feel over-crowded with so many people that I couldn't move. They had some cute live country music playing, I'm not too much into country music but I did enjoy the ambience and the vibe of this bar. Overall a nice experience read more
3 years ago
Absolutely loved this place! I had low expectations because it's on Rainey, but I was pleasantly surprised. We came in around mid-day on a Saturday and there was only one other couple standing at the bar so we essentially had the place to ourselves. It eventually got busier when a bachelorette group showed up. My favorite drinks were the watermelon flamingo and espresso martini, but you can't go wrong with anything from their menu! read more
3 years ago
When in Rainey, definitely a good idea to stop here for a Ginger #3, live music and some tingly Szechuan nugs from Spicy Boys. The bathrooms are clean and their bartenders know what's up. read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Now this is an Austin bar to be proud of! Great bartenders! Trained pros that know their shit! Boom .... tasty. There was live music, which was solid (Canned Beets) and enjoyable. Environment was great. I enjoyed this stop a lot... until I get my tab, then I'll cry! read more
Wow what a cool bar I've missed out on so many times! Not only is the spicy boys food truck in there side yard, they had a water slide, great outdoor seating, and indoor decor! We had an awesome bartender who definitely hooked us up! We even did the surfboard shots. What a night! read more
4 years ago
Was trolling Rainey Street after a very boozy brunch and stumbled upon Half Step. What drew me in was the hot toddies! We needed something warm, since it was cold and rainy (that wasn't going to stop by shenanigans). The bar itself is tiny, cozy, and intimate. It was giving ski lodge vibes lol. Bartenders were friendly and extra attentive with my drinks, and they were excellent! Definitely stop by if you're in need of some hot, tasty boozy bevs. read more
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75 1/2 Rainey St
Austin, TX 78701
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http://www.halfstepbar.com
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When does live music start on a Sun night?
Blue Vinyl Crates feat. Ter’ell Shahid play from 8-11 every Sunday night.
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Half Step - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026
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