6th Street Austin — Bar-by-Bar Nightlife Guide

6th Street is Austin’s live music epicenter — a 6-block stretch of bars and venues between Congress Avenue and I-35 with free live music pouring out of every door.

Dirty 6th (6th Street Main)

The main strip between Congress and I-35 is called ‘Dirty 6th’ — loud, rowdy, and the primary party zone. Maggie Mae’s — multiple stages with live music. The Blind Pig — dive bar with punk and rock. Shakespeare’s Pub — English pub with live music. Midnight Cowboy — a hidden speakeasy behind an unmarked door (reservation required). The street closes to cars on weekend nights and becomes a pedestrian bar crawl.