I thought 6th Street was heaven when I was 20-22. I avoid it now when I go to Austin (I'm 31). I think I'm getting old but I also think it has gone downhill.
I'm speaking strictly about the experience there. In Huntsville, I wanted to slit my wrists but in College Station I felt like I could be there for an hour or so longer before I wanted to slit my wrists. You're taking this too seriously.
6th Street's hype is due to the following: It's hyped by college kids who have never seen such a concept in their hometown's of Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, etc. It's hyped by NY/LA types who are in town for SXSW. Austin is fairly laid back and liberal for a Texas city, which they like, and most importantly, they never really come into contact with many college kids since SXSW is always during UT's spring break...so the vibe is obviously a lot different.
My friends in Austin always tell me that 6th Street’s heyday has been gone for a while now. They say it’s pretty much just for the drunken frat boys and sorority bimbos nowadays. And why did we have to drag Huntsville into this thread? That’s dirty pool. From my extensive experience living there, there is pretty much nothing to do there except to drink heavily.
6th has gotten dirtier over the years, as the mainstream crowd has migrated to West 6th and the warehouse district. Only the Aquarium and Chuggin Monkey have remained somewhat normal. The Library used to be hype back in the day, but now is pretty ghetto. Same with places like Spill, Treasure Island, etc. Meanwhile, W 6th has seen an explosion of nicer establishments like Union Park, The Ranch, J Black's, The Bellmont, etc. Add to that the chill outdoor drinking spots like Molotov's (rooftop), Key Bar, and Little Woodrow's, there's no need leave W 6th. And then you have 5th Street/Warehouse, with places like 219 West, Red Fez, Lucky Lounge, etc. that are all pretty damn solid. Compare that with the riff raff out on East 6th, and you see why it's gone downhill.
nope - i live in austin and i hate 6th st - if im going downtown its to see live music, most of which is focused on red river now - even when i was younger and less bald i didnt go to all the 6th st bar/dance club type stuff though - just not my bag. i think in the 80's/early 90's it had a little more variety to it and truly was a place where live music was everywhere, but now it is just block after block of generic bar. maybe, but that doesnt make you wrong. i moved to austin in 95 and except for a 6 month stint in h-town in 2001, have been here since - i think i moved here at what was the last gasp of austin as it once was. i think the 'golden era' was about 85-92.
6th has sucked pretty much since this decade started. Most of the great live music places on 6th are gone, replaced time and time again by douchy shot bars. There are still a few decent places (Maggie Mae's, Blind Pig, Emo's, and a few others I can't quite remember). Agreed on Huntsville. I remember little of the 3 years I lived there.
am i the only one that feels like they just transported mid-town and plopped it down on w. 6th? the whole 'icehouse' concept. good point on w 6th vs. e 6th though - a whole new area to barhop in.
I haven't been there in a LONG time, but a friend of mine is a co-owner of a place downtown (Creekside Lounge?). He said pretty much as much. When I lived in Huntsville, it was less drinking than high school and way less than in the time after. Part of it was being underaged most of the time I was there, and I think part of it was not relating too well with the people there and consequently not having too many people to drink with. That and I didn't live in town -- I lived near the Trinity River in Riverside, so it was mostly hunting and fishing and reading for me. But Huntsville doesn't belong in this conversation. Just to buy anything beyond the capabilities of Walmart required a day trip to The Woodlands or College Station.
I'm 45 and still love it. I was there for Halloween this past year and it was pretty damn fun. It is also a great place to watch a horns game if you are not at the stadium.
I love it because there is plenty of live music, everything is festive and there are plenty of good places to eat. But it all starts with the live music.
