Billing itself as Austin’s “luxury gay lounge,” Rain on 4th has been going strong for several years just a couple doors down from Austin’s favorite hangout, Oilcan Harry’s. In a relatively short time, he has become a major player on the scene, giving his rivals a run for their money.
Location and details
Rain occupies a stretch of West 4th that has been home to a number of gay clubs, most recently Dahmer’s spooky name Boyz Cellar. It is within walking distance of several trendy restaurants and across from the popular Halcyon Cafe, Bar and Lounge.
It is located in Austin’s trendy Warehouse District, on the southern edge of downtown, at 217 W. 4th Street. The bar is open nightly and has some fun themed events, like drag shows on Sundays, a “calendar” contest on Thursdays, and a pool tournament on Mondays. As is the case with most Austin gay bars, there is generally no cover charge.
The environment
The club is divided into three main parts (not unlike Oilcan): a softer front bar has a pool table and comfy leather sofas – it feels like living room and relaxing. The cocktail bar out the front is often less crowded than other parts of Rain, so it’s not a bad idea to order your cocktails (very reasonably priced!) Here.
The middle room has a small but fabulous dance floor with illuminated floor panels that evoke the spirit of John Travolta in Saturday night fever . On one side are some cozy booths to relax in, and on the other side you’ll find a nice long bar against a brick wall backlit in the colors of the rainbow (it’s a lucky and subtle nod to the colors of Pride). The acoustics in this room, with its high wooden ceiling, is excellent, and the DJ tunes are upbeat and fun.
The third section comprises a spacious but quite cozy patio that is a bit quieter than the rest of Rain and is therefore ideal for chatting and chatting. The general vibe here, as in most of the bar, is one of party and inclusion. It’s definitely Austin’s gay feel-good bar.
The crowd
The crowd is eclectic if it tends to be collegiate, but still crowded with people of all ages. It’s also one of the most mixed-gender gay clubs in the city, and it manages to be a place where groups of friends congregate without feeling whimsical and hip the way some places in Austin feel. And while it’s clearly aiming for an exclusive look, the crowd embraces styles and tastes – this is the kind of place where you’ll fit in well with ripped jeans or pressed jeans.
