Home to almost a million people, Austin is a bustling metropolis with a unique entertainment scene that can be experienced in its so-called ‘entertainment districts,’ hubs of businesses catered largely towards nightlife and shopping for the city’s significant college-age population. Scattered around the city, Austin’s busiest and most notable entertainment districts include areas such as 2nd Street, the Rainey Street Historic District, and 6th Street.
Located in downtown and just north of the river in central Austin, 2nd Street District is most famous for its trendy and diverse shopping opportunities, as its home to stores selling nearly every type of apparel. Caitlin Sheen, a frequent visitor of Austin and prolific shopper and self-proclaimed “number one fan” of 2nd Street, believes that it’s the city’s number one spot for shopping.
“It’s my favorite place to shop in the entire city,” Sheen said. “There are so many different shops with a variety of clothes and accessories that just can’t be beat.”
2nd Street isn’t just for shopping, though. The district is also renowned for its dining and live entertainment.
“I love to wind down after a day of shopping with some drinks and live music,” Sheen said. “On 2nd Street, I don’t even have to travel far; I can just walk down the street and find the show of a lifetime.”
2nd Street’s live entertainment can be found in many venues, most notably ACL Live, which is home to a famous statue of Willie Nelson. This statue is the source of Sheen’s favorite tradition when she visits the city.
“I love country music,” Sheen said. “So, whenever I visit Austin, I spend a day with friends, shopping and drinking, on 2nd Street. And at the end of the night, with our new outfits on, we always take a picture with the Willie Nelson statue.”
Conversely, the Rainey Street Historic District, is known for its cozy fusion of modernity and rusticness. Bordered by I-35 to the west, East Cesar Chavez St to the north, and the Colorado River to the south, the district has a vibrant nightlife centered around its many bungalows, which have been renovated into hip bars with craft cocktails and live music. The Rainey Street Historic District also happens to be James Andrews,’ a graphic designer and Austin local, favorite place to go.
“It’s got the best spots in the entire city,” Andrews said. “The drinks are incredible, the people are awesome, and the atmosphere just can’t be beat.”
They don’t just have great ambiance, though. Beyond their cozy, hip atmospheres, the bars of the Rainey Street Historic District are also famous for their food.
“Any bar can serve great drinks and any restaurant can serve great food,” Andrews said. “But to be able to do both is something special, and the fact that I can enjoy both great food and great drinks at the same spot is one of my favorite parts about Rainey Street.”
6th Street, on the other hand, is a mix between the two aforementioned districts, and could be considered three separate districts in its own right. This is because, traditionally, 6th Street is divided into three sections, each with its own vibes and appeal. ‘Dirty Sixth,’ or ‘Old Sixth,’ is the rowdy, energetic area of 6th Street stretching from I-35 to Congress Avenue known for its bustling nightlife, live entertainment, and dive bars, all of which cater to a crowd comprised largely of college students. Stretching from Congress Avenue to MoPAC is West 6th, with a trendy, upscale energy reminiscent of 2nd Street, and running east of I-35 is East 6th, which is known for its patio bars, food trucks, and laid-back hipster vibes.
“6th Street is great because it has something for everyone,” said a local college student who preferred to remain anonymous. “If you want a craft cocktail, you can go to West 6th. And if you’re having a bachelorette party, you can go to East 6th.”
6th Street is also famous for its collection of sports bars, which are very popular amongst the city’s significant population of college students. Favorites include establishments like Little Woodrows, Star Bar, and Buford’s Backyard and Beer Garden.
“I love watching football with my friends,” the anonymous student said. “And 6th Street is my favorite place to do that. It’s got great bars with great drinks and great TVs.”
