Sixth Street

What to know

Sixth Street is one of Austin, Texas's most recognizable streets, serving as a historic corridor and a pre-eminent entertainment district in the city's downtown urban core. Originally named Pecan Street under an older naming convention that named east-west streets after trees, the area's intersection with Congress Avenue served as the epicenter of town in Austin's earliest days. The street grew rapidly as a major commercial corridor, multi-ethnic leisure zone, and trade hub, particularly boosted by the arrival of the railroad in 1871.\n\nFollowing a period of decline, a historic preservation movement starting in the 1960s fueled a major resurgence. On December 30, 1975, a nine-block area of West Sixth Street between Lavaca Street and Interstate 35 was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Sixth Street Historic District. Today, the district is characterized by its late-1800s two- and three-story masonry Victorian commercial architecture. Ongoing preservation efforts, such as those by Stream Realty, aim to revitalize and protect 31 unique historic parcels totaling 200,000 square feet.\n\nSince the 1970s, Sixth Street has reigned as a premier entertainment hub. The eastern section, locally dubbed 'Dirty Sixth,' is famous for its bustling array of bars, restaurants, and music venues. It plays host to major annual events, including the South by Southwest festival, the Republic of Texas Biker Rally, and the Pecan Street Festival. Notable landmarks along the street include the historic Driskill Hotel, established in 1886, as well as classic venues like Esther’s Follies comedy and magic show and the Blind Pig Pub, which features local bands on its skyline-view rooftop patio.\n\nTo accommodate its massive crowds, Sixth Street is closed to through traffic on Thursday through Saturday nights. Looking forward, the City of Austin has initiated a mobility and revitalization project. Design is scheduled to begin in 2026, with construction anticipated as early as 2027, ensuring the street remains one-way westbound for vehicles while improving pedestrian and scooter access.

Visitor tips

• Visit on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday nights when the street is closed to vehicular through traffic for a pedestrian-only experience.
• Be aware of upcoming construction, as the city plans to begin a revitalization project with construction starting as early as 2027.
• Look out for vehicular traffic restrictions, as the street is strictly one-way westbound for vehicles.

Nearby context

Located in the heart of downtown Austin, Sixth Street is deeply integrated into the city's urban core. The historic district stretches from Lavaca Street to Interstate 35, intersecting with Congress Avenue, which historically served as the epicenter of early Austin. This central location makes it a seamless walk to nearby downtown attractions, hotels, and the bustling 4th Street entertainment district just a couple of blocks away.