The Ultimate Guide to Austin’s Sixth Street

Sixth Street is the wildest party in Austin, but it’s also a destination for craft cocktails, fantastic eats and good fun.

DINING

Sixth Street’s restaurant scene is as eclectic as the bars that line it. Have a fancy happy hour with oysters and champagne on Wednesdays at Parkside or stay for dinner in the stylish space. Casino El Camino is the quintessential dive bar, with questionable decor and an awesome jukebox. They also have some of the best burgers in Austin, to go with their really stiff drinks. The rooftop at Iron Cactus is always busy. The food is Tex-Mex and the margaritas are strong, plus the Sunday brunch is an amazing deal. Dive into an artisan pie cooked in a traditional brick oven at The Backspace, Austin’s first Neapolitan pizzeria. Set a spell on the patio and pair a juicy cheeseburger with one of the 30 craft beers on tap at Waller Creek Pub House. Step off Sixth and feel like you’ve been whisked away to Paris at Chez Nous. The prix fixe menu is incredible and the ambiance is c’est magnifique.

INSIDER TIP: Sixth Street is a hub for popular street fests like the biannual Pecan Street Festival, and is blocked off on the weekends for pedestrians.

NIGHTLIFE

Housed in The Driskill, the oldest operating hotel in Austin, The Driskill Bar is a classy place for drinks with friends or business associates, and the cowhide and western art make it feel very Texan. Make a reservation for Midnight Cowboy if you’re looking for an elevated custom cocktail experience. When your reservation is confirmed, double-check the directions because there’s a secret doorbell you’ll want to be aware of. For another speakeasy experience, push aside the secret bookcase to reveal Firehouse Lounge & Hostel. They do craft cocktails and light bites, but you would never guess that there’s a party raging outside. If said party is more your style, head upstairs at Maggie Mae’s to survey the whole scene. This Sixth Street staple boasts seven bars, three stages and a wild time. 

ENTERTAINMENT

The always fresh and funny Esther’s Follies is a variety show with comedy, music, magic and political satire. It’s also the nation’s longest-running musical revue. Listen to some reggae at Flamingo Cantina, Austin’s only home for Jamaican jams. Parish is a musical grab bag and an awesome (and affordable) place to see a concert. Rest your weary feet and take in a show at Alamo Drafthouse – The Ritz. This location of the famous Austin movie theater chain shows current movies, along with quote-alongs and sing-along video dance parties.  

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