Your ultimate guide to 6th Street – the beating heart of Austin’s social scene and must-visit spot during US Grand Prix week

Nowhere quite encapsulates the culturally diverse and vibrant spirit of Austin like 6th Street – and when Formula 1 rolls into town for the United States Grand Prix (18-20 October) it becomes extra special.

Located in the urban core of the city, this historic street and entertainment district is considered by many to be the beating heart of the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’, and is a vibrant mecca for locals and tourists alike looking for a great night out.

Distinguished by its handsome Victorian architecture – deemed to be of such historical importance that many of the buildings were adopted onto the Register of Historic Places in 1975, protecting them from development by law – the long street stretches from west to east through Austin, briefly interrupted by Interstate 35.

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Populated by bars, restaurants, food trucks, speakeasys, comedy clubs and, of course, live music venues, there is something to suit every mood.

The history of this iconic street can be traced back to the 1800s when the city of Austin first emerged, and was named Pecan Street originally before changing to 6th street in 1884 when the city outgrew the old system of naming streets running east to west after trees, and adopted numbers instead.

The spirit of Pecan Street however lives on in the form of the Pecan Street Festival which takes place twice yearly in Spring and Autumn.

This free two-day community arts festival features over 50 local music acts and showcases artists and artisans hailing from Austin and further afield, helping to support local non-profit organisations with the festival proceeds.

As the street rapidly developed and evolved in the 1840s, it became a beacon of integration and diversity, with many black-owned businesses living cheek by jowl with Chinese, German, Jewish, Lebanese and Mexican-owned enterprises. This melting pot of cultures became one of 6th Street’s most striking characteristics and is still a huge part of what makes it what it is today.

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The slogan “Keep Austin Weird” has spawned thousands of bumper stickers and fridge magnets over the 24 years since it was first uttered by Austin community college librarian Red Wassenich on local radio. Adopted by the Austin Independent Business Alliance as a clarion call to promote small, local businesses in the city, it very quickly became an integral part of Austin’s identity and deftly sums up the eclectic character of the Texas state capital.

With so many bars and eateries to choose from, it can be difficult to know how to spend a night out on this most lively of streets. Long time Austin resident, Taylor Hannan (aka food blogger and photographer @AustinEater) has made it his mission to sample all of the culinary offerings across the city and has a soft spot for the different facets of 6th Street.

“Without a doubt, 6th Street in Austin is the social capital of the town,” Hannan says. “In my experience there are four parts of this social street – West 6th, ‘Dirty 6th’, ‘Old 6th’, and East 6th. Starting with West 6th Street, where many of the venues have indoor and outdoor space where socialites can sit outside, enjoy the year-round sun, and drink a buck or two of beers.”

For a taste of what West 6th has to offer, why not watch some sports with a local Texan beer at the Star Bar, a popular neighbourhood joint which has been serving a loyal clientele since opening its doors in 1995. With two outdoor patios to choose from and plenty of screens, you can kick back and relax with one of 17 local beers on tap whilst you watch the game.

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“Moving east, we arrive at ‘Dirty 6th Street’, which is the stretch between Congress Avenue and Interstate 35.” continues Hannan. Akin to Bourbon Street in New Orleans, the distinct party vibe of the affectionately monikered area, with loud karaoke bars offering cheap shots to a predominately younger crowd might not be to everyone’s taste, but don’t be deterred. There are some excellent places to visit here even if you’re old enough to remember the 90s the first time around.

You’re probably feeling a bit peckish by now after shouting your support (or disapproval) at your team’s performance back at Star Bar, and luckily for you some of the best burgers in town are served at Casino El Camino right in the heart of ‘Dirty 6th’. The phenomenal burgers, hotdogs and wings are served with a side of cool, stripped back vibes and a killer jukebox, making Casino El Camino an excellent place to stave off those hunger pangs.

Now satiated, it’s time to crank up the party atmosphere with a visit to Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar, a ‘Dirty 6th’ institution and popular destination for the visiting F1 fraternity. What began life as a one-man show is now a riotous musical party. Two exceptionally talented pianists battle it out on baby grand pianos, performing hits from every era with unparalleled showmanship, prompting a high-octane sing-along from the crowd. It’s an experience not to be missed.

If Pete’s has whetted your appetite for live music, then head to Maggie Mae’s, which has been serving up support for local musicians since 1978 by providing not one, but two stages for live music performances. Boasting the largest rooftop bar on 6th Street, it has unrivalled views of downtown Austin and the hustle and bustle of the crowds below.

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Carrying on along this seemingly never-ending street, we come to ‘Old 6th Street’. “This is actually a new area of the street,” says Hannan. “It’s broken away from ‘Dirty 6th’ and there are signs of a concentrated effort to revitalise this block.

“My favourite bar is Marlow, which overlooks Waller Creek and is owned by two local residents – they’ve done a great job of getting everything right, laidback retro decor, chilled vibes and food trucks out the back.”

Finally, we arrive at East 6th Street beyond the I-35 divide which, despite being a relative stone’s throw from ‘Dirty 6th’, has a distinctly different character again. “East 6th Street is my favourite part of 6th Street.” Explains Hannan. “Bars like La Perla, LoLo, Liberty, Whislers, and White Horse are all necessary stops on a night out for me and my friends.”

Built into a warehouse giving it more of a Brooklyn vibe than downtown East Austin, and with a rooftop mezcalaria, it’s easy to see why Whislers remains a firm favourite with local Austinites – and that’s without the excellent burgers from food truck Golden Tiger served on the back patio.

Like Austin itself, 6th Street has evolved continually and moved with the times since its early days as a thriving trade thoroughfare at the turn of the nineteenth century. With such an array of diverse offerings served up in a historic and characterful environment, it’s clear why it’s so popular – and not just when F1 fans visit the city. There’s no doubt that the heart of Austin will continue to beat strongly for a long time to come.