When Austinites talk of “6th Street,” they’re usually referring to the famous bar and nightlife scene of East 6th, stretching from Congress Avenue to IH-35. However, West 6th Street is not a place to be ignored: A night on the other side reveals a burgeoning entertainment district among the office buildings and condos, as well as more than two-score restaurants, bars, shops, and a flagship grocery store.

West 6th goes on for over a dozen blocks (from Congress Avenue to Mopac), but the downtown area of 6th west of Lavaca is known as the West 6th Street District. It is roughly bound by 5th Street, 7th Street, Lavaca Street, and West Ave. Recently, there has been a growing movement to develop this area as an entertainment district of its own, geared toward the live music crowd.

Visiting Whole Foods is a must for any local or visitor to Austin, TX. Located just blocks from where Whole Foods Market began as a small neighborhood grocer 29 years ago, the flagship store at the corner of 6th Street and Lamar Blvd. is one of the company’s largest, at 80,000 square feet. Though much larger in size, the store retains the charm and accessibility of its first location, with an intimate, village-style layout and passionate, attentive Team Members eager to assist guests.

Another flagship business on West 6th is Katz’s Deli, In 1983, Katz’s introduced its 24/7 Katz’s Never Kloses operating format, bringing late-night dining to downtown Austin, and once again irrevocably transforming the local restaurant scene. A magnet for theatergoers and night owls of all kinds, Katz’s fostered its own fast-paced version of New York deli culture throughout the 1980s, complementing the ever-growing popularity of its food and menu. A relentless innovator, founder Marc Katz has consistently broken new ground in promoting Katz’s. Through savvy use of radio and TV advertising, as well as media publicity, he has built Katz’s reputation far beyond Austin, achieving a national renown for his deli that rivals even the fame of the legendary delis of his native New York City.

On West 6th near West Avenue, you’ll find Hut’s Hamburger’s. Hut’s is one of Austin’s most well-known burger joints. Open since 1939 (though originally located in South Austin), Hut’s has changed locations a few times, moving to its current one in 1969. And Hut’s is certainly rich in history: the walls and ceiling are lined with relics of Austin’s past, such as news articles, ads, and college sports paraphernalia dating back decades. With an impressive menu of 20 different kinds of hamburgers, plus an assortment of sandwiches, salads, and desserts, Hut’s is truly an Austin classic.

Across from Whole Foods, at Lamar on the north side of 6th St., is Book People. This giant bookstore (the largest in Texas, in fact) was founded in 1970 by Steve Bercu, who also founded the Austin Independent Business Alliance to help strengthen local businesses. Book People is a strong local business indeed: it’s been voted the best bookstore in Austin for over 15 years, beating out the larger chain bookstores. Not only can you buy books there, you can also buy toys, t-shirts, jewelry, and other knickknacks and gifts—or you can hang out at the coffee shop inside the store.

While you’re at the Lamar and 6th intersection, don’t forget to visit Waterloo Records if you’re a music fan (and with Austin’s vibrant live music scene, it’s hard not to be!). Since its opening in 1982, Waterloo Records has been named “Best Record Store” by the Austin Chronicle almost every year since. And just around the corner, you can try some delicious treats at Austin’s popular Amy’s Ice Cream!

West of Lamar, 6th Street takes an entirely different turn, completely abandoning its downtown roots of bars and nightlife. This stretch of road, continuing until Mopac, is a haven for anyone interested in relaxing at a spa, getting a beauty treatment at a salon, visiting an art gallery, or buying furniture and antiques. This part of West 6th Street also has options for anyone who needs catering and event planning services.

The area west of downtown Austin is something of a hotspot for art galleries, and West 6th is no exception. The Wally Workman Gallery at West 6th and Blanco has been around since 1980, and currently features 47 different artists. The Stephen L. Clark Gallery, at West 6th and Baylor, specializes in fine art photography. The Lotus Gallery specializes in Asian art and antiques, and the Haven Gallery features fine gifts as well as art. Also check out the galleries at Artworks, Austin Galleries, Positive Images, and the Russell Collection!

No matter what your tastes are, West 6th has something to satisfy. We hope you enjoy visiting the bars, restaurants, shops, and other businesses in this growing district of Austin.

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