Sixth Street in downtown Austin is perhaps the city's best known street outside of Texas. Seven blocks of East 6th from Congress Avenue to Interstate 35 is Austin's entertainment district. Encompassing E. 5th and 7th Streets as well as various cross-streets, it is home to numerous clubs and bars and the heart of our live music scene.
What's On Sixth?: Once called Pecan Street, many of the historic buildings along East 6th Street date back to the 1800s and early 1900s. Interspersed with the numerous bars are tattoo parlors, casual cafes, upscale restaurants, and the elegant Driskill Hotel. Waller Creek passes through the tree-lined 700 block just off the highway.
Live music runs the gamut from jazz, blues, and country to rock, hip-hop, and derivations of these and other genres. You'll find every kind of food throughout the area, including such regional staples as chili, ribs, and Tex-Mex plus steak, seafood, cajun-cooking, and deli delights.
Who's on Sixth: While young and trendy are terms often used to describe the crowd on 6th Street, you can also find yourself rubbing shoulders with an eclectic bunch including the rich and famous (or infamous) in the guise of politicians, Hollywood stars, and of course the musicians - local heroes, street musicians, and nationally-known acts.
Tourists of all ages come to see what all the fuss is about and soak up the often wild and crazy atmosphere of Austin and 6th Street. Attire runs the gamut from tuxedos to the well-worn cowboy boots and blue jeans depending on the venue, the weather, and whim of the individual. On 6th Street, anything goes. But that's true for much of Austin.
In addition to music, 6th Street is the site of numerous fairs, Mardi Gras Austin, and other holiday festivities where Austinites take to the street for fun and socializing.
The Old Pecan Street Spring Arts and Fall Arts Festival (6th Street's old name) and a Victorian Christmas on 6th Street are annual arts and crafts shows. The street is closed off from IH 35 to Brazos Street and vendors booths line the middle of the street and sometimes some of the side streets. In addition to original arts and crafts you'll find free live music concerts, food, and other types of entertainment.
West Side Story: Beyond the entertainment district, W. 6th Street has its own special daytime sights with antique stores, art galleries, restaurants, and eclectic shops. This area, beginning at Lamar Blvd., includes the historic Treaty Oak on a side street between 5th and 6th Streets. Whole Foods, Waterloo Ice House, Amy's Ice Cream, Z Tejas, Pecan Square Emporium, Austin Galleries, and Sweetish Hill Bakery are some of this area's attractions. Go Shopping on the Sixth.
Where is 6th Street?: Located in the heart of downtown, E. 6th St. is southeast of the Capitol Complex between Congress Avenue and IH35. The 100 block starts at Congress with the 700 block nearest IH 35. Travel west on 6th to Lamar Blvd. to reach the "shopping district" of W. 6th (West End Market District). On the map (sidebar) these two key parts of 6th are marked in red. In between Lamar and Congress, parts of W. 6th St. are included in the Warehouse District and W. 6th St. entertainment areas.
6th Street Caught on Tape: For a look at the many faces of 6th Street, check out this sampling of both professional and amateur videos that provide a glimpse into the people and places on 6th:
- 6th Street During the Day
Traveling west by automobile you see a nice stretch of 6th Street, mostly the north side, up to Lamar Blvd. The first 35 seconds or so capture that part of 6th included in the 6th Street Entertainment District. - Driving through Austin, TX
In this fast motion video you'll drive down IH 35, take the frontage road, then at about 1:10 into the video speed west on 6th then go south on Lamar. - Austin Grits
About a minute into this 3 minute video you'll take a nighttime drive through downtown including down 6th, Lamar, and other streets. - Austin 6th Street at Night
Jumpy and a little blurry but you get a sense of what an ordinary night on 6th Street is like. Was that Leslie in the devil mask? - Halloween 2006 on 6th Street
You don't see much of the buildings here but you see a lot of super heroes, skimpy outfits, and perhaps a few tacky costumes too. Part 2. - A Man Singing Downtown
Despite the poor sound quality the music comes through beautifully in this 2 minute video of a man and his guitar singing on the sidewalk. - Texas: SXSW Music Festival
A nicely done video with narration features some of the music at SXSW. Includes some 6th Street scenes and a short bit with a pedicab driver. - Define: Rickshaw
Intercut with very quick 6th Street scenes is a discussion about the difference between "rickshaw" and the pedicabs found on 6th Street. Some of the video is filmed while riding in a pedicab. - Brawl on 6th Street
Yes, things can sometimes get a little rowdy as seen in this short, jumpy clip of a street fight one evening. - 6th Street After the 2006 Rose Bowl
Austin may be home to a lot of musicians but not everyone can carry a tune. This short, rather blurry clip shows a little of the impromptu celebrating and street crowds along with an off-key rendition of "We are the Champions" after the Longhorns won the Rose Bowl. - Street Evangelism on 6th Street
In this very brief clip the Austin Tabernacle is holding a street service. - News 8 Explores Sixth Street
Scroll down to find links to a 5-part series on "The Rise and Fall of 6th Street." Each link takes you to the full story on the News 8 Austin site where you'll also find the video version. These television segments explore the past, present, and future of 6th Street.
