this is life in austin & aspen

West Sixth Street really came into an identity of its own in the last two or three years. Some of the tourists haven’t caught on, and Austin’s burgeoning see-and-be-seen crowd has taken to the west side of Congress for its upscale bars, lounges, and restaurants. West Sixth is the antithesis to the craziness that spills out of the East Sixth into the streets so much so that they close it down from Red River to Brazos. It’s classy.

But as I’ve mentioned before, I LOVE to dance, and the only places to really dance, with dance floors and deejays worth a spin, are not on West Sixth. Now, there is The Boom Boom Room at Union Park. I do like Union Park–there’s always good scenery! Whenever I tell my friends I want to dance though, they suggest The Boom Boom Room. I think they like it more for the name than the dancing, because anyone who has ever danced in there can attest: it is not a good place for dancing. The website even describes it as “a space ideal for intimate conversation.” Um, intimate conversation and grinding beats generally don’t go together. It’s crowded, hot, and people are constantly walking through–not dancing. Why is this the only place to dance on West Sixth? Just because it’s a devoted room?

So why the dearth of dance spots on West Sixth? Do people dance less as they get older? Is it uncouth to be seen sweaty on a dance floor if your whole point to going out is to be seen? Is the older crowd just less fun? I haven’t been to The Ranch yet, so it’s possible it is a dance spot, but I doubt it. Can we just move The Marq to West Sixth? I know it’s making the 5th & Congress corner cool again, but West Sixth could use the help too. Brothers Bachelor, where are you?