Anthem

Walking down Rainey Street often feels like you’re in a pinball machine. There’s an element of chaos—you’re dodging people, hungry grackles, scooters, and spilled drinks, while you flit back and forth between different bars on opposite sides of the street, all set to the sound of 15 different DJs blasting music simultaneously at neighboring venues. Don’t get us wrong, we like pinball. But if we find ourselves on Rainey and need an escape from it all, we like to take shelter at Anthem, a tiki-ish bar and restaurant with some Texas twists. 

photo credit: Nicolai McCrary

With a few exceptions, Rainey Street isn’t exactly a culinary destination. If we’re not dressing up for a dinner at Emmer & Rye, we’re usually grabbing something from one of the many food trucks lining the street. Anthem strikes a perfect middle ground. It’s a great place to start your night with some light bites—like a Hawaiian shrimp ceviche or chilled lo mein noodle salad. But there’s also a late night menu with things like brisket rangoons and honey sriracha popcorn chicken to help you soak up that extra shot of Rumple Minze that your friends convinced you to take. 

Show up for Happy Hour, grab a comfy booth, and start the night with a banana daiquiri and some snacks in a bright and airy space. If you grab a seat next to one of the many windows, you can even watch the crowds slowly descend onto Rainey Street before joining in yourself, for your own game of pinball.

photo credit: Nicolai McCrary