NamesCon Global’s new home in the heart of Austin, Texas gives us plenty of new opportunities to eat, drink, and network. Austin is famous for its wide variety of live music venues, world-class barbecue, and craft beer scene—all of which can be sampled without having to travel great distances. The Omni Hotel Austin Downtown, our partner hotel, is right in the heart of the city, and everything is easy to reach. Here are just a few:- West 6th Street has a split personality: by day, you’ll find upscale shopping and art galleries. At night, it lets its hair down and lights up the upscale lounges, rooftop bars, nightclubs, and college-student hangouts.
Here are a few standouts:
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Lady Bird Lake
This man-made lake brings the water to Austin. You can bike or walk around it, or grab a standu-up paddleboard and explore it more closely. You can also just relax in the park: this is a popular spot for locals and visitors to watch Austin’s famous commuting bats: they flock out of the city in the thousands as the sun starts to set, kind of like what you see in Sydney. A five-minute walk from the hotel, at Congress Bridge.
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Old 6th Street
is sometimes known as Dirty 6th. It’s famous for live music venues, neon signs, partying, food trucks, and good times. It’s not just dive bars, despite the name: Dirty 6th is also home to upscale restaurants and laid-back lounges. Extending from West 6th, this area is found on 6th Street between Congress and I-35. Pro tip: avoic venues like Coyote Ugly: they’re really just for college kids these days.
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East 6th Street
extends from I-35 way out to Calles Street. We’re told that this area was cool before the rest of Austin was cool. It has a retro vibe where different backgrounds mingle: this was where Austin’s hipster culture started.
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The Domain
Austin’s street art gives you plenty of photo ops, but this upscale shopping center’s sign provides the perfect NamesCon selfie opportunity! Roughly a 20-minute drive/rideshare from the Omni.