Sixth Street Entertainment District

Overview

Sixth Street is Austin's legendary entertainment district, stretching from Congress Avenue to Interstate 35. Different sections — Dirty Sixth, East Sixth, and West Sixth — each offer distinct vibes from rowdy college bars to upscale cocktail lounges.

Highlights

• Live Music Nightly: Dozens of venues host free live music every night of the week.
• Dirty Sixth: The most famous stretch between Congress and Brazos — closed to traffic on weekend nights.
• East Sixth: A more refined section with craft cocktail bars and creative restaurants.

History

Originally part of the Chisholm Trail cattle drive route, Sixth Street became Austin's commercial center in the late 1800s. Its transformation into an entertainment district began in the 1970s during the progressive country music movement.

Visitor Tips

• Weekend nights the street closes to traffic — expect large crowds.
• East Sixth has shorter lines and more interesting cocktails.
• Duration: 1.5–3 hours.