Firehouse Hostel

Not going to lie, when my friend told me she booked us a hostel I was a little skeptical. However I was more at ease when she said that we’d have the room to ourselves. There were 3 of us and we just had to buy the fourth bed to ensure we had the room to ourselves which wasn’t a huge deal.
Okay, onto the hostel! I was pleasantly surprised as how much nicer it was than I was expecting and the staff was super friendly! It wasn’t anything fancy which we didn’t need at all. Between getting ready to go out and sleeping we probably spent about 7 hours in the room.
Overall I would definitely stay here again. I see a lot of rave reviews about the lounge so I’ll make sure to check that out next time I’m in Austin.

When I ask some people in my life why they haven’t traveled, oftentimes the excuse I’m given is «I can’t afford it.» Depending on the city you go to, sure, it might be difficult to afford. An obscure island-​name off the Caribbean might not be financially-​suitable for a twenty-​something to go explore. But most big time cities in the United States have sprouted backpacker hostels in the past five to ten years, which makes travel a lot more affordable then you think.
A hostel is a glorified dorm. The room I was in had four bunk beds but traveling elsewhere, depending on the popularity of the location, might elicit more beds. For example, when I stayed at a hostel in Cusco, the value dorm had eight bunk beds (and set my bank account back seven dollars a night).
This hostel was about thirty dollars a night (off season). The bed was comfy, even though I was right next to the door and since I go to bed kind of early, I would say that would be my only problem. The hostel was actually the Firehouse Lounge first though, so the hostel seems to be built upward, in a small space, directly above the bar. With limited space, the beds were really cramped together.
We had quite a few different roommates when we were there for three nights, but each one was respectful of our sleep and generally quiet as they moved around the dorm. For snoring, the hostel provided free earplugs at the front desk so definitely take advantage of those :)
I’m under the mentality that whenever I go traveling, I’ll just sleep well when I get home. That being said, you ARE staying at a hostel so you won’t necessarily get a great night’s sleep, but it’s a safe and welcoming place to lie your head down for a few nights.
Some cool additional things: the staff was friendly, free breakfast, the hostel itself was very clean, the hostel is right outside 6^th street (the optimal bar scene in Austin), always a hot shower, and ample locker space (bring your own lock!)
Besides not spending an arm and a leg in downtown Austin, the mindset of a hostel is quite different than a hotel. You’re surrounded with deep, philosophical thinkers and like-​minded individuals who share an equal desire to explore the world. You can always meet someone to hang out with at the hostel and more than likely, go bar-​hopping with some interesting and cool people.
If you’re looking for this kind of experience, I would definitely check this place out. If you’ve never been at a hostel before, Firehouse Hostel is a good place to start. While you’re not staying in a luxury five star hotel (please keep this in mind when staying at a hostel), Firehouse Hostel does a great job trying to match your comfort levels and accommodate your needs.

Best cocktails in the city hands down! Antonio is meticulous about his method and the result is pure perfection! We will be back and its a great tucked away secret spot!

WOW what a great hostel and in the best location! It is literally like 2 block from 6^th street which is the main drag for all the bras and restaurants. We stayed in the top private room which was the most expensive room but so worth it! It was like a hotel room! Own beautiful huge bathroom and comfortable bed with a great view out the window. It has a great bar as well where we regularly had drinks before heading out and a few snacks– and you get there through a hidden bookcase that is in reception which adds to the experience. Such a great hostel and highly recommend staying here when in Austin. There is also other private room options with shared bathrooms or dorm rooms as well.

Stayed there for business the other day. Checked in Sunday night at the tail end of ACL. The staff was very attentive, and helpful. I use to live, and work in Hostels in different parts of the world, and in the U.S., and the Firehouse is a damn good one. The lounge on the first floor is a great little Austin haunt full of that famous Austin uniqueness that facilitates great adventures. The prices are really good considering the location, and the selection is also above average. Bathrooms very clean, and common areas are not neglected. People staying there are nice, and no donkeys that I could I see. A place that I will be going to again. Didn’t wake up for the free breakfast, but I’m sure I’m not the first. Smelled good though.

Service is always amazing and the specialty drinks are always on point, this is by far the coolest prohibition style bar ever!
A must rry for locals who haven’t been and tourists alike.

I stayed here in a private room on a Tuesday night. Not my first stay at a hostel. My biggest complaint about this place: They never pick up the phone! I tried reaching them five times before my actual stay. They leave a message stating it’s best to reach them by email, so I did. No response. I finally got a call back after leaving a voicemail. I honestly think that for the most part they just let the phone ring even while at the front desk.
The public hallways are not carpeted, and allows for everything to echo. Quiet hours are supposedly from midnight to 8 pm, but there were definitely drunk college kids outside my room at 2:30 am that would not stfu even after I asked politely. Finally the desk attendant addressed the issue 30 minutes or so afterward. The noise from the street and bar downstairs didn’t bother me, but the activity from the hallway made for a less than peaceful night’s sleep.
On to the room, the shower was gross. Lots of mildew and soap scum on the shower curtain. The AC was comfortably chilly… better than 75+! The beds/​pillows were pretty comfy, but don’t expect high-​quality linens. I would have slept well without the hallway traffic.
I’m not sure if I would stay here again. But for a one-​night stay, I think it’s tolerable.

I stayed at the Firehouse hostel for 4^th of july and I had an amazing experience. The staff are absolutely friendly, the rooms and bathrooms are clean, also the kitchen — and they have a nice and decent breakfast. I totally recommend the hostel for people who wants some nice, comfortable and clean but doesn’t want to spend lots of money.

My first and only trip to Austin would never have been as life-​altering without this place. I was in town for the ATX TV Fest and the hostel was conveniently located beside the venue, making my ventures into the summer heat short and sweet.
The people at the desk are really helpful. One guy, wish I had gotten his name, was so patient with me, answering my daily questions about local eats, pop culture trivia and the condition of his socks.
There’s also a swinging lounge area downstairs where you can get delicious drinks to cool down after spending too much time in the terrible Texas heat. It’s located behind a bookshelf in the lobby. The lobby where the adorable guy sits and patiently answers my ludicrous questions about life, the universe and tacos.
Other amenities include a helpful parking pass (extra charge, but totally worth it), delicious snacks in the kitchen, clean bathrooms and that charming guy at the reception desk.
A stay here will complete your experience in Austin. It’s centrally located, has everything you need and there’s a Prince Charming just chilling in the lobby waiting to answer your inquiries about Tim Curry and the muppets.

Great experience in a great location for me to attend my professional conference downtown. Beds comfortable and sturdy with no shakes. Bathrooms clean enough and like the roll up wash cloths. Staff are friendly and lounge is fun with good chunes. Shout out to Holsum who cleaned me up when I shamed myself. Even old ladies sometimes have too much fun. Thanks my friend!

I stayed for 5 nights. This hostel was overall good, but I’ve stayed in better. Still, I would definitely stay here again because you can’t beat the location and the price.
Pros:
— security: card keys are necessary to get into your dorm
— desk clerk is there ²⁴⁄₇ and requires guests to show the card key before entering
— half size lockers are in each dorm (can store purse and other valuables)
— elevator: great if you have heavy luggage
— the hostel was very clean
— towels and hand towels are provided for free
— location is great! right off of 6^th Street known for it’s music and nightlife
— cool lounge located at the check-​in desk, behind a secret door; serves craft cocktails and has live music
— free breakfast
— free wifi
— large bathrooms with private shower stalls and hair dryers
Cons:
— homeless guys hanging around the entrance
— hostel staff is not always friendly and sometimes seem wasted
— scratchy, rough Mexican blankets
— uncomfortable mattress: could feel the springs through the thin padding
— 2 of the lockers in the dorm were unusable
— minimal amount of tourist information available
— ²⁴⁄₇ hostel staff is not always at the front desk if it’s really late. Strangely, there is no door bell and no card key entry which means there is no way to enter the hostel and you are locked out. In this sense, the hostel puts their clients in an unsafe situation.

Was lucky to find a cool place open a couple days after SXSW. The pricing is pretty normal for a hostel and it comes with bedding, towels, and complimentary breakfast (bread, bagel, fresh fruit, muffins, coffee and tea). They were really accomodating when my friend asked if we could book an extra bed in the same room a day before my arrival and the lady at the desk was very helpful so their customer service is on point.
We ended up booking an 8 person room which was nice. There is storage underneath the bottom bunks and the beds actually have this partition on a portion of the bed which gives you a bit of privacy if needed for some late night computer stuff. Don’t like how the bathroom toilets are in the same room as the showers but they were remodeling so maybe that’ll change. The kitchen is a nice size but not ideal for a huge group (there’s one picnic bench and a couch inside and two tables in the hallway which seated 2 each)
Overall great time while I stayed, no 5^th star because we never got our complimentary cocktail at the speakeasy (which you definitely need to check out!)

Firehouse hostel during was a great stay! The beds were comfortable, the showers hot — but best of all was the staff. Phoebe in particular was a great source of information and amusement. She made the hostel feel like home. I send all my friends to Firehouse and ask them to say hi to her! Thanks Firehouse & Phoebe for an awesome time in Austin.

This place is adorable, well-​organized, clean, and in a great location. I met some really cool people while I stayed here, and the staff was amazing. They have a great continental breakfast spread every morning, and they typically have clean towels out (assuming the drunk people haven’t taken more than they needed.)

For the price and location, this place cannot be beat. Right on sixth street and about 40 bucks a night.
They have gender specific rooms as well as 12 person rooms. Trendy looking with a bar on the ground floor. I stayed in the 12 person room and it was an overall good experience. As with many hostels, people are up late. It was a younger crowd, as well. There was an incident with one of the guests in our room (he urinated in a corner, apparently sleep walking), but the staff at the hostel took care of it immediately and he was kicked out of the hostel. In about 30 minutes I was back asleep. They really couldn’t have handled the situation better, and that sort of thing is to be expected from time to time when staying at these types of places.
The one downside is that there is no free parking, but that’s to be expected as it’s downtown. We parked in a close parking garage and all was fine.
Overall, great experience as far as the hostel itself is concerned.

First time staying in a hostel and I’m so glad I did. I absolutely loved it. Very clean and the staff was friendly. I would definitely stay there again you can’t beat the location and price.

Marinella, the owner is very sweet and accommodating. I love this hostel and I have recommended it to other travelers. I stayed in an 8 bed female room. Accommodations were above standard. The breakfast food was very filling. I would stay again and because I can NO LONGER STAY of Drifter Jack’s Hostel, because of my review, this hostel may be seeing more of me.
So, I’m just going to take a snip from my other review for your enjoyment. I think this best sums it up:
For $ 3 more of Drifter Jack’s price, you can stay at Firehouse. You will love it. There’s 3 floors, single and mixed gender rooms. It’s a block away from public transportation. There’s a bar/​lounge on the ground level open ~2am, free breakfast (hot and cold), and a 10 minute walk to Whole Foods (the nation’s largest) and did I mention it’s at the corner of 6^th St?! Which is exactly what people come to Austin to experience.

This year old hostel right off 6^th street across from the historic Driscoll hotel on Brazos offers $ 40 beds with a trendy
décor like an edgy poor mans West Elm.
Polished concrete floors, designer touches like Willie Nelson aiming a gun at you
positioned across from the third floor elevator doors, and unusually comfortable twin mattresses adorned with colorful Mexican blankets almost makes you forget you are in a glorified dorm room.
The place was at first a bar, and then opened the hostel rooms, some private on the second and third floors. The bar in the back looked dark and fun, the entrance is a rotating bookshelf.
For a designer hostel, you don’t get much better than this, especially for the downtown location. Bed space for SXSW goes for around $ 80 a night, and I can see why.
Helpful staff, large lockers, clean showers.

Wow, I wish I could give this place 6 stars. Not only did I have a great stay, but the customer service is the best I’ve ever had anywhere, hands-​down. I credit them for a great trip.
I stayed in an 8-​bed, all-​female dorm for three nights this past weekend. I got a bottom bunk near a window and the view was amazing — looked right out into downtown Austin. It was FREEZING that weekend, so extra blankets were (thankfully) available. The room was kept surprisingly warm for it being so cold and it was nice to come back to. The lockers are a little small (not going to hold your entire carry-​on!) so just stash the important stuff.
Everything was clean and tidy, as far as I saw. Even the bathrooms were cleaner than I expected. For the people complaining about small things — what do you expect? If you want sparkling marble, go across the street to the Driskill. You’re in a hostel and getting a great deal.
While the place is great, it was the staff that made my trip. The first night I checked in, I had to wait by the front desk with my friend while her ride came to pick her up from downtown. We were freezing, tired and probably cranky. The amazing woman at the desk (I wish I’d gotten her name! She had an awesome furry russian hat!) had us laughing and talking within 5 minutes. That simple act made our night much better.
On a more serious note, I had a huge problem with one of my fellow hostelers on the last night. It was 4:15 a.m. and one of them snuck a guy into the all-​female dorm and were getting into some funny business. I was exhausted, genuinely upset and had a long day ahead of me. I went down to the front desk to let the woman know what was going on and without any hesitation or complaint, despite it being SO late, she took care of the problem swiftly and diplomatically. I’ve never seen such good customer service in my life — not even at 4-​star hotels. My night was made so much easier.
Anyway, the location is also great. The Firehouse is located right on 6^th street, near restaurants, bars and shops. Buses stop a block away at 6^th and Congress, so you can travel. I didn’t have a chance to take advantage of free breakfast, but I wish I could have.
Tips: It gets really loud on weekends and your roommates might not be quiet — bring earplugs and a sleep mask and you’ll have no problem. Bring flip-​flops for the shower and a sweatshirt to laze around in the hallways charging your stuff. There are outlets in the rooms, but you don’t want to wake your roommates if it’s like 3 a.m. And most of all, be prepared to be social. Half the fun of a hostel is making friends!
Definitely give this place a try if you’re in Austin and looking for a great place to stay while hopping 6^th street or exploring the city.

Stayed here in a private room while visiting for a job interview in Austin. Though I almost immediately began to worry about how preparing for an interview would fly in what appeared to maybe be a party hostel, I slept like a tank. If anything was going on in the rooms around me, I sure didn’t know it.
I do wonder if my room was haunted though. My key sometimes did not let me in the room, even when the light turned green. I would fall asleep with the lights on and wake up with them off. Also sometimes when walking into the room, the lights would come right on. That could all just be from old wiring, building etc. My room was also insanely cold, but that could just be from good quality air conditioning. But who knows!
My room was only a few feet away from the bathroom and I never had to wait to use the toilet or the shower. I was really impressed with the quality of everything, from the bathrooms to the kitchen/​lounge area. After my interviews, I ate in the kitchen area and made friends from Japan and Australia. Everyone is really friendly, and loves Austin. Its such a fun and positive environment to be in.
You cannot beat the location. I might have been late to my interview if I had stayed further North of Downtown, but I am confident that you could make it anywhere you need to be within a half hour or less from this spot. There are also a ton of taxi’s conveniently located right across the street at the Driskill hotel, and a bus stop not far away. Both options, like everything in Austin, are very reasonably priced.
I managed to rent a bike to get around after interviewing and was allowed to keep it in my room since it was private. It was very convenient to bike around and I felt safe coming home here, even late.
My only awkward moment here was when a group of Australian guys kept making fun of NYer’s in the kitchen/​lounge. But whatever, I’m gonna just fawget aboutit. Its not like I’m dying to pick up their accent either. :-P