14 Must-Know Austin Slang Expressions

You may recognize Austin, Texas, as the Live Music Capital of the World, always embracing its eccentric vibe—but there’s so much more to the city, especially when it comes to its unique slang. Whether you’re just visiting or thinking about making the move to ATX, these words and phrases will help you blend in like a true local (well, almost).

1. Native

While it may seem like an obvious term (and it is), it holds significant meaning. Austinites, those born and raised here, take immense pride in their roots, particularly considering how many newcomers flock to the city. In fact, Austin was named the second-fastest growing city in the U.S. in 2022.

If you can’t claim the title of a local, knowing one is the next best thing: They’ll guide you to the best food trucks at dive bars, tell you where to swim at the best watering holes, give you insider tips on the best parking spots downtown, and much more. Befriending a local means having someone in your corner who genuinely wants the best for you when you're in their city.

2., 3., and 4.  ATX, Bat City, and the City of the Violet Crown

Austin has several nicknames you should be familiar with: ATX is one, and many locals affectionately refer to the city as Bat City. Wondering why? Just head to Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge (also called Congress Bridge) at sunset from spring through fall, and you’ll witness the spectacle of 1.5 million bats emerging from beneath the bridge as they head out to find their dinner.

Austin is also affectionately referred to as the “City of the Violet Crown,” a moniker that dates back to the 1890s and was mentioned by O. Henry in his short story “Tictocq.”

5. SXSW

You may have heard of Austin because of these four letters, or perhaps they’re the very reason you’re planning a visit. SXSW, short for South by Southwest, is a yearly event founded in 1987. It’s “best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the intersection of tech, film, music, education, and culture,” according to its official website. SXSW takes over almost all of downtown Austin for over a week every March. While locals might gripe about the traffic it brings, there’s no denying it’s an event worth attending. A quick look at SXSW’s historic timeline reveals a who's who from nearly every field, whether it’s film, music, tech, or business.

6. ACL Music Festival

They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and when it comes to events, few are larger than the Austin City Limits Music Festival, held annually in the iconic Zilker Park (we’ll cover Zilker below).

Founded in 2002, the festival draws inspiration from the Austin City Limits television concert series and features nine stages where artists from all musical genres perform for an audience of approximately 450,000 fans over two weekends. Big-name headliners like Guns N’ Roses, Outkast, Pearl Jam, and many more have taken the stage—leaving attendees with the tough choice of who to see and when.

No Austin event is complete without exceptional food: Every year, the ACL festival sets up a food court inspired by New Orleans’ Jazz Fest, showcasing local restaurants. In 2023, they even introduced a section dedicated entirely to dessert.

7. Zilker Park

New York City boasts Central Park, and Austin has Zilker Park. Established in 1917, the 316-acre park sits right next to Lady Bird Lake (which was named in 2007 after Lady Bird Johnson, though many locals still refer to it as Town Lake) close to downtown. Zilker offers something for everyone: swim and sunbathe at Barton Springs Pool; visit the nature and science center or stroll through the botanical garden; enjoy open spaces perfect for frisbee, volleyball, or disc golf; and find picnic areas and playgrounds throughout. Zilker Park is truly an Austin landmark, capturing the essence of life in the city.

8. COTA

Austin is making a name for itself in the sports world, and it’s not just about the University of Texas Longhorns. In 2010, the Formula One (F1) racing league, gaining traction in the U.S., chose Austin for its first-ever American race. Circuit of the Americas, or COTA, opened its doors in 2012, and since then, it has hosted the annual F1 race on its 3.41-mile track, along with performances by icons like the Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Bruno Mars, and Taylor Swift, to name a few.

And it would be a missed opportunity to build such an expansive venue for just one race and a handful of concerts. So, COTA also hosts NASCAR and IndyCar races, along with events like car shows and Bike Night, where cyclists get the chance to ride on the track. During the holidays, visitors can drive along part of the track through a dazzling light display at an event called “Peppermint Parkway.”

9. Light the Tower

While professional sports are gradually making their mark in central Texas, the Texas Longhorns continue to hold the crown in the state’s capital. Since 1937, the iconic UT Tower, located at the heart of the University of Texas at Austin campus, has been lit up in orange to commemorate both athletic and academic accomplishments—a tradition known as “Light the Tower.” Some special versions feature effects or are used to mark memorial events.

10. Q2

In 2021, Austin welcomed its first professional major league sports team, Austin FC, a soccer club. Q2 is the corporate sponsor of the $260-million stadium, which lights up in neon green every time the Verdes score a goal. Even rival players rave about the venue: A 2022 survey conducted by the MLS Players Association found that Q2 is their “preferred place to play,” as reported by KXAN.

11. and 12. SoCo and SoLa

Location matters in Austin, but equally crucial is knowing how to pronounce those locations. Here’s a useful guide to the pronunciations and nicknames of Austin’s neighborhoods so you can blend in with the locals:

• Manchaca Road: “MAN-shack”
• South Lamar: “SoLa”
• South Congress: “SoCo”
• Burnet Road: “BURN-it”
• Guadalupe Street: “Guad-a-LOOP”
• Manor Road: “MAY-ner”

13. Sixth Street

Sixth Street in Austin is often compared to Bourbon Street in New Orleans or Beale Street in Memphis. However, it isn’t a single scene—rather, it's three distinct experiences, depending on where you are. Here’s a breakdown:

• Dirty Sixth: This is the center of Austin’s nightlife, located between I-35 and Congress Avenue. On weekends, the streets are closed off, allowing you to hop from one club or bar to another. When the food choices are slim, grab a slice of pizza from Roppolo’s, but just enjoy the energy of Dirty Sixth.
• West Sixth: Stretching from Congress Avenue to the Mopac Expressway (locals simply call it Mopac), West Sixth offers a slightly more sophisticated atmosphere compared to Dirty Sixth. Here, you’ll see fewer college students and more of Austin’s tech professionals. It's a more refined experience, with a growing nightlife scene.
• East Sixth: On the opposite side of I-35, East Sixth attracts a more local crowd, with long-term residents and fantastic food trucks. Quiet dive bars and casual hangouts, like cornhole games, create a relaxed atmosphere. Spending a day here, hopping between bars, is the perfect way to unwind.

14. “The Stars at Night …”

Want to spot a local in Austin? Just step into any public place and shout, “The stars at night / are big and bright …” and wait for the familiar sound of four claps followed by “deep in the heart of Texas!” This iconic chant is a surefire way to find someone who’s truly from around here—just try it, and you’ll see.