6th Street in Austin TX: Everything You Need To Know
One of Austin’s favorites, an entire street that embodies Austin’s culture, 6th Street in Austin provides an atmosphere with good music and drinks. Most call it a day or night out and others call it an experience that resonates with their time in Austin.
6th Street Austin is made up of Dirty Sixth, West Sixth, and East Sixth. All of them are uniquely different from each other, providing entertainment depending on what you are looking for.
A staple in Austin history that has maintained its original roots and continues to deliver more than what people expect. Even those who aren’t strangers to 6th street continue to enjoy their time there, which says a lot. Every different place you find yourself on 6th street is an experience of its own which makes 6th street, unlike any other place!
Bars at 6th Street Austin
Here are the best bars on 6th Street in Austin you should visit:
1. Kung Fu Saloon
Out of every bar that is located on the sixth street there is one that people always find themselves going back to and that would be Kung Fu Saloon. Located on West 6th street, the ambiance of this bar is always there! The layout of this bar is everything as they also have a little patio on the side. The incorporation of arcade games makes Kung Fu even better. If you do visit, if you keep walking past the curtain after the restrooms you will find a hidden tiki-inspired speakeasy!
2. Concrete Cowboy
Located on West 6th Street, Concrete Cowboy is known as the place to party. It is always full and filled with energy. It does tend to get a bit full, but their upstairs patio is the perfect setting if looking to chat with others and have more space.
3. Whistlers
A very unique bar on East 6th street in Austin, Whistlers, is in a hundred-year-old building. It has a unique vibe and is the epitome of what you would expect from Austin. The bar is an Oaxaca Mezcaleria and also has handcrafted cocktails. There is a patio to enjoy outside seating and music inside and outside!
The Restaurants at Sixth Street Austin
Here are the good food restaurants on 6th Street in Austin:
1. Moonshine Patio
Although not exactly located on 6th street, Moonshine Patio is located a couple of blocks away on Red River Street. Categorized by yelp as one of the best restaurants on sixth street I can only agree with this. Everything from their menu is spectacular and delicious and enjoy recommendations from their servers. Moonshine is usually full so expect some wait time, but don’t be discouraged as you can enjoy a couple of drinks at their bar while waiting!
2. Ah Sing Den
There is an abundance of restaurants all over the sixth street, but to make it easier for you we will tell you about one of the top options to go to! Ah Sing Den is located at 1100 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702. The Asian-inspired restaurant offers both cold and hot dishes that are spectacular. Alongside their tasteful dishes, the bar offers a mix of unique and classic cocktails, beer, wine, and sake you cannot miss out on!
3. Firehouse Lounge and Hostel
Just off the sixth street, Firehouse Lounge and Hostel is located at 605 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701. Enter the lobby and find the bookshelves that lead to the bar that gives you access to the bar. The energetic atmosphere that sets in as it gets later at night is all worth it after enjoying delicious drinks! Don’t exclude the food for drinks, you must order their hummus!
4. Happy Chicks
Located at 214 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701, Happy Chicks in Austin is the best place to go for takeout! Their sweet and savory options of chicken next to their variety of dipping sauces are an option everyone will enjoy. Whether it is to go or to dine in, always expect fresh and hot chicken delivered to your table.
Nightlife at Sixth Street Austin
Here is a list of places you can visit at Sixth Street in Austin during your night out:
1. The Jackalope
A local favorite, Jackalope is the go-to spot to enjoy a night out at dirty 6th street. It is always a guaranteed fun time with affordable drinks! The atmosphere at Jackalope is filled with a diverse crowd where anyone and everywhere is destined to enjoy themselves!
2. Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar
Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar is an experience everyone must go to at least a couple of times during their time in Austin. The exciting atmosphere is felt all across the bar, with energetic music that transcends to every single person in the room. What is there not to like about live music and singing a long song during your night out!
3. Midnight Cowboy Bar
Once a brothel, now a bar with a dark ambiance to represent its history, Midnight Cowboy is located on the dirty sixth. A range of different cocktails, from original concoctions to the classics are served just right! Unlike anywhere else, some cocktails are even prepared tableside to give you a different experience!
Live Music at Sixth Street Austin
Following are the places where you can enjoy the live music at 6th Street in Austin:
1. Maggie Mae’s
Maggie Mae’s is the perfect place to go if you are looking to spend your time out in a rooftop setting. The biggest rooftop space in dirty sixth overlooking the other bars and a bit of downtown Austin! Another great thing about Maggie Mae’s is the live music played by the band!
2. Parish
The Parish is a music venue that hosts concerts for local artists to world-known artists. The venue has a capacity of approximately 450, so check their page for upcoming events to purchase tickets!
3. Shakespeare’s Austin
Shakespeare’s is located in dirty sixth and is a go-to spot for many reasons. Expect a large crowd on Thursdays, the day they have $5 pitchers of their option of cocktails of that day! The DJ playing always knows what the crowd wants to hear and has everyone dancing!
6th Street in Austin FAQs:
What is 6th street in Austin known for?
6th street, once called Pecan Street, was named after the famous Pecan Street Festival, the hot spot for the Republic of Texas Bikers Rally after parties. Austin’s culture is unique and like no other, and the sixth street embodies the entertainment that Austin has to offer.
6th Street Austin provides an inviting atmosphere from its open doors and windows, hospitality, and live music. As time passes by Austin grows from a small town to a large city, but the sixth street continues to symbolize what it did originally.
What neighborhood is 6th street in Austin?
6th street is a part of the entertainment district of Austin, that starts from I-35 on the East to Congress Avenue on the west.
Is 6th street Austin open?
As Austin describes it, 6th street has a personality. Usually from Mon-Wed sixth street is open for traffic, but starting Thursday following the rest of the weekend, expect the street to be closed off for people to walk freely.
It is fair to say that one of the very important characteristics of Austin is 6th street. It is a personality of its own full of life with so much to offer. It is an escape for many after a long week or a place to socialize with others. A street that provides entertainment to so many people and introduces Austin to newcomers.
Conclusion
6th street is famous in history for being the main point of entertainment in Austin. For someone new or visiting Austin understanding that 6th street has different regions might take a while. 6th street Austin is made up of Old “Dirty”, West, and East. Dirty 6th street is the most famous part of the sixth street and is usually called Dirty sixth because it tends to be the rowdier side.
West Sixth Street is known to be filled up with bars that are trendier and filled up by college students. Finally, East Sixth Street is a new section located East of I-35 born out of a gentrification movement. Although East Sixth has lots to offer it is the calmer side of sixth and has laid-back bars with patios, breweries, and live music.