You don't have to have a bad time on Dirty 6th.
We know, Dirty 6th doesn't have the best reputation... But there are multiple bars, restaurants, and venue spaces that are boldly attempting to alter the bad rap this popular spot tends to receive. When you've got beer gardens, speakeasies, and unique food stops, it's that much easier to look past the raunchiness of Dirty 6th. Popular wisdom dictates that locals avoid Dirty 6th, but real locals know the good spots worth seeking out.
Say hello to the newest spot on Dirty. This super-popular (and award-winning) New York City Irish pub has expanded to Austin, with an upscale take on the culture of Ireland. Expect the usual Guinness pints and Irish coffee options, along with some new Austin-specific cocktails featuring pours from local distilleries. And don't sleep on the food, either; the Dead Rabbit boasts tasty takes on English dishes like fish & chips and bangers & mash, as well as an all-day Irish breakfast and a late-night menu you won't find anywhere else downtown.
The Driskill (bar temporarily closed)
Originally built in 1886, The Driskill is one of the oldest buildings in Austin. When a building has been around for 129 years, you can safely bet that some interesting things have gone on there. The original owner, Jesse Driskill, lost ownership of the hotel in a whiskey-fueled card game, and the place is widely reported to be haunted. It also has a fantastically classy old-school bar where you can take in the history (along with a drink).
You may have heard of Midnight Cowboy… then again, perhaps not. Nestled in a small space on 6th street and with no discerning physical qualities to attract passersby, it's easy to miss--unless you already know what you're looking for. The space itself is infamous, existing originally as an "oriental massage parlor." Okay, a brothel. Now a cocktail lounge since Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League appropriated it, it hilariously still semi-frequently receives visitors who expect its prior incarnation. Though the place isn't a strict secret (it retains a website and Facebook page, several awards, numerous write-ups, and the ever reliable word-of-mouth), one does enjoy a sense of exclusivity when ringing the buzzer for entrance.
If you haven’t checked out Marlow yet, you’re missing out. It’s got that perfect “I’m here to chill but also want a great cocktail” vibe—exposed brick, cozy couches, and plants everywhere. The drinks are fun without being pretentious (yes, there’s one with Fruity Pebbles), and the punch bowls are basically made for you and your friends to park it for a while. It feels like a little pocket of cool right in the middle of downtown without all the usual Sixth Street chaos.
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Happy Chicks isn't reinventing the wheel. But damn if they aren't making it tastier. Launched recently in the belly of 6th street, Happy Chicks has a one track mind laser-focused on making the best possible version of an old standby: chicken tenders. That crowd pleasing food favorite is Happy Chicks singular vocation, and the results are impressive. They are lightly breaded, fluffy, and uniformly delicious.
Serving one of the best-voted burgers in Austin, this 6th Street dive bar has more to offer than just cheap drinks. The Jackalope delivers a perfect combination of relaxation and liveliness, making it an ideal destination for day drinkers, as well as for people looking to turn up at night. This is the place to come hungry and stay late.
Eureka! has certainly made a name for itself in the Dirty 6th area. Offering ultra rare craft beer and whiskey, decorated salads and burgers, and different live music every week, this bar tries to do it all while sticking out among other 6th Street bars. FYI: Their $9 Double Smash Burger & Fries are a pretty sweet deal, available every Wednesday.
There should be no limits to decorating and flavoring a doughnut, and Voodoo proves just that. From doughnuts caked out with M&M's to others packed in with Rice Krispies Treats, you won't find any other place that makes doughnuts this uniquely intricate. The best part is they're open 24 hours every day, so hitting up Voodoo after a late night on 6th is always an option.
For what being what is first and foremost known as a restaurant, Parkside sure does have quite a drink menu. Among a great many liquid refreshments of the cocktail variety, discerning patrons will appreciate their comprehensive wine menu. All manner of Sparkling,Rosé, White, and Red are available by the glass. This extensive drink menu is matched with a smartly chosen assortment of food options, including oysters on the half shell.
There are places with burgers worth trying and there are places with burgers you have to try. Casino El Camino is definitely a member of the latter. Their cheeseburgers are in a word, huge. Though their size is a major selling point, it's Casino El Camino's long-perfected topping combinations that make them truly noteworthy. The Amarillo Burger, in particular, is something any loyal burger fan should get to experience.
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There's a Patton Oswalt joke about The Texas Chainsaw Massacre having the perfect name for a movie because its title tells you everything you need to know about it. This is the same case with Pete's Dueling Piano Bar. You know exactly what you're in for before you walk in the door. If you want to listen to someone tickle the ivories while you knock a few back, this is your spot on 6th street to do so.
Low-key, Velveeta Room is one of the best places to see live comedy in town. For one, you don't have to drive all the way out to Cap City. Thursday nights are particularly enjoyable, as you have the chance to see comedians both seasoned and green try their hand at the open mic. Occasionally, you'll even see bigger comics shopping their new material at Velveeta Room, as it provides them an opportunity to test jokes in a smallish setting.
Esther's Follies bills itself as "Texas' Premier Magic & Comedy Troupe", and we're inclined to agree with that self-assessment. You can regularly find live shows that are by turns funny, amazing, and or just plain enjoyable. Now in its fortieth year in existence, Esther's Follies is still just as vital to Downtown Austin as ever. There's just nothing else quite like it around.
A casual stroll down the street will quickly show that there's no shortage of live music happening on Dirty 6th, but Maggie's Mae's is consistently one of the best places to see it. Year round, this old school venue hosts loads of live performances and has drink specials to boot. During SXSW, Maggie Mae's becomes a particularly sought after venue space for bigger name acts, so keep your eye out around March.
Mala Fama is a three-story neon nightclub with a rooftop, a main floor, and a smaller room called La Factoria.
It’s built for reggaeton/perreo/hip-hop weekends and even live bandas — DJs spinning heavy Latin bangers and a house band that brings tubas and trumpets up to the roof. Mala Vida is the older sibling a few blocks west (it’s always packed), so Mala Fama basically helps handle the overflow and keeps the party going across the block. Expect bright neon and cocktails like Palomas rimmed in chamoy if you go — perfect if you want a full-on Latin dance night that can flip into rooftop banda energy.
What Dirty 6th spot did we miss? Let us know!
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