A Local’s Guide to Dirty Sixth Street: Where to Eat and Drink
Let’s get one thing straight: Austin locals aren’t out on Dirty Sixth every night of the week. We probably aren’t even out on Rainey Street. (We know where all the good hidden gem bar districts are!) That being said, there really are a few excellent restaurants and bars on Sixth Street in Austin that are worth knowing about, and I’ll share them all here.
About me: I’m Kelsey, a bestselling travel book author and the creator of 3 Texas travel websites. As a native Texan, I spend my own time and money exploring this state to help millions of readers find the best food, things to do, places to stay in Austin and beyond. Check out my other sites: TheSanAntonioThings.com and TheWacoThings.com!
What’s “Dirty Sixth” in Austin?
Sixth Street, also affectionately known as “Dirty Sixth,” is Austin’s party street. Akin to Bourbon Street in New Orleans or Broadway in Nashville, Austin’s Dirty Sixth is where people go to get, well…trashed.
It’s very popular for bachelor and bachelorette parties who want SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS, loud karaoke bars, and a wild night out in Austin that stretches to the wee hours of the morning.
If the criteria above match yours, you’re most likely not going to need to read this article. If you just want a rowdy good time, all you have to do is show up and walk into whichever bar strikes your fancy. They all have booze, they often have live music, and they’re all ready for whatever nonsense you have up your sleeve for a crazy night out in ATX.
However, if you’re roped into going to Dirty Sixth and it’s not really your scene, here are a few places that are actually good on Sixth Street in Austin.
Where To Eat and Drink On Sixth Street in Austin, Texas
1. Dead Rabbit
Dead Rabbit is new to Austin, but it’s been popular in NYC since 2013. It’s an authentic Irish pub with wood shavings on the floor, a full menu of Scotch Eggs and burgers and such, and really good cocktails.
They’ve won some insane awards in the cocktail scene, including World’s Best Bar. Dead Rabbit works with Irish industry folks to source authentic Irish spirits, beer, artwork, textiles, and more. This bar is as Irish-in-Austin-Texas as you can get. Psst: they make a mean Irish coffee martini!
WEBSITE | 204 E 6th St, Austin, TX, 78701
2. Parkside
Downtown Austin’s first gastropub, Parkside has been around since 2008. And it’s not just popular because it’s one of the only good places to enjoy moderately upscale cuisine on Sixth Street….it’s just genuinely a wonderful restaurant.
Go for their amazing happy hour of ½ off select food and cocktails, or enjoy some dinnertime bites of raw oysters, lamb pastrami ribs, and some warm doughnuts dusted in strawberry powder for dessert.
Note that this place closes at 9 or 10 most nights, so it’s definitely a “pre-game with a nice dinner” sort of a prelude to your night out on Dirty Sixth street.
WEBSITE | 301 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
3. The Backspace
From Shawn Cirkiel, the same chef who owns Parkside, The Backspace is an Italian restaurant serving wood-fired pizza in downtown Austin near Sixth Street. It’s literally “the backspace” behind Parkside restaurant, and it’s a teeny restaurant.
But if you’re able to snag a bar stool or a booth, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best Neapolitan-style pizza in Austin. Be sure to get some antipasti for the table like the burrata or pork meatballs, and order a few pies to share. They’re just 12” so they go fast! This is a great spot to splurge on a nice bottle of wine.
WEBSITE | 507 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701, USA
4. Midnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy has been regarded as the best cocktail bar in downtown Austin for a long time, and it’s definitely one of my personal favorites. It’s one of the OG speakeasy-style bars (you’ll have to find the entrance and give a secret password…don’t worry, you’ll get instructions on making a reservation) but they don’t rely on gimmicks. Nope, these cocktails are beautifully hand-crafted, sometimes even made tableside, and a reservation here will dim every other cocktail bar in town.
WEBSITE | 313 E 6th St Austin, TX 78701
5. Casino El Camino
Where do you go for burgers on Dirty Sixth Street? Casino El Camino! These 3/4-pound chargrilled burgers are made for soaking up all the booze you consume on a night out in Austin.
The wait can get a bit long on the weekends (expect 30-40 minutes during peak hours), but it’ll be totally worth it when you bite into that Amarillo Burger with roasted serrano's, jalapeno jack cheese, and cilantro mayo on a jalapeno-cheddar bun. Delish.
WEBSITE | 517 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
6. Voodoo Donuts
Fried food and booze go together like peanut butter and jelly, so when you’re reaching the end of your night and you need something to nosh on, be sure to head to Voodoo Donuts. This popular Portland-based donut chain known for their bright pink boxes has a location on Sixth Street. The fruity pebbles donut is always a crowd pleaser after a few Jager bombs. {Photo: Voodoo Doughnuts Facebook}
WEBSITE | 212 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701
7. Firehouse Hostel
Firehouse Hostel and Lounge is so fun! It's a speakeasy-style bar inside the oldest fire station building in Austin, which dates back to 1885.
Walk through the bookcase door and you’ll find a speakeasy bar space, which is typically crowded on the weekends full of visitors (and a few locals - I actually really love this place! The drinks won’t wow you, but you can get a solid classic cocktail, a beer, or a glass of wine if you want to play it safe. {Photo: Firehouse Hostel and Lounge}
WEBSITE | 605 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701
8. Vaquero Taquero
You can't miss the bright gate out front, whether you stop by Vaquero Taquero in daylight or in the dark nighttime hours. These are some of the best tacos in Austin, and their downtown location is just a few steps off of Dirty Sixth Street.
These are authentic Mexican street tacos, served on homemade tortillas. The best one is the pastor, which is shaved sizzling off the trompo and served with a little flick of fresh pineapple.
This downtown location is a bar, a taqueria, and a karaoke stage! It's a whole vibe. So if you want tacos + an absolute party, this is your spot.
WEBSITE | 603 Sabine St, Austin, TX 78701
9. P. Terry’s
You can’t forget about P. Terry’s when it comes to the best places to eat and drink on Sixth Street! This burger chain in Austin is beloved for many reasons, but one of the best and most popular times to indulge in a grilled-to-order double cheeseburger and a heap of fast food French fries is after a night out on Dirty Sixth. There’s a location at the far east end of the street.
WEBSITE | 515 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
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