Katz’s Never Kloses—the deli that shaped Austin’s late-night culture for over three decades—is officially coming home. No inspection data found After nearly 14 years away, the legendary 24/7 institution will reopen at its original address, 618 West 6th Street in late 2025 or early 2026. For longtime Austinites, this is more than a restaurant returning. It’s a piece of the city’s cultural DNA snapping back into place, on a block that helped define old‑school West 6th nightlife.
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Katz's Never Kloses
$$THE FULL STORY: HOW KATZ’S FOUND ITS WAY HOME
The original Katz’s opened in 1979 and quickly became the heart of West 6th’s nightlife scene, a role chronicled by local outlets like the Austin American‑Statesman and Austin Business Journal. It stayed packed until 2011, when Marc Katz closed the restaurant after financial struggles and ongoing parking issues that eventually led to a bankruptcy filing. Since then, Austin has changed dramatically—but the appetite for Katz’s never went away.
The comeback became possible when Marc’s son, Barry Katz, and his wife Lisa—who run multiple Katz’s Never Kloses locations in Houston—quietly bought the West 6th property at a bankruptcy auction in August 2025. Barry discovered the listing through a childhood friend, and within weeks, the building was theirs. He described the moment as “almost too good to be true” and a full-circle return to the place where he learned the fundamentals of the family business, as detailed in coverage from KUT / KUTX News and CultureMap Austin.
"Almost too good to be true.
WHAT AUSTIN CAN EXPECT
• 24/7 hours, true to the “Never Kloses” promise.
Katz’s built its reputation as a round‑the‑clock spot, and the revived location is expected to follow the same 24/7 “Never Kloses” model that has anchored its Houston expansion.
Late-night crowds will likely spike around bar close and after big concerts or festivals. For a more relaxed vibe, try weekday late nights or early-morning breakfasts instead of prime weekend hours.
• A menu centered on classic pastrami, the iconic Reuben, all-day breakfast, fried pickles, and the cult‑favorite cheesecake shake.
These core deli staples and comfort‑food signatures are already fixtures on the current Katz’s menu in Houston, which gives Austin a clear preview of what’s coming back to West 6th.
• A redesigned space by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture blending 80s–90s nostalgia with modern Austin energy.
Barry and Lisa have tapped Michael Hsu Office of Architecture—the Austin firm behind numerous beloved restaurant and hospitality spaces—to reimagine the original footprint while preserving its late‑night soul.
• The restaurant on the ground floor, with the second and third floors leased separately.
This vertical mix mirrors how many downtown and West 6th corridor properties are evolving, with street‑level hospitality and upper‑level office or entertainment concepts.
The current tenant, Play, will vacate the space before renovations begin, clearing the way for Hsu’s team to start work on the new‑meets‑nostalgic buildout.
INSIDER INTELLIGENCE: WHAT LOCALS WANT TO KNOW
• Opening timing: Despite early excitement, there is no firm opening date yet beyond “late 2025 or early 2026.” Reports from CultureMap Austin and the Austin American‑Statesman point to interior renovations as the main factor driving the timeline.
Downtown buildouts in older buildings often slide a few months past early targets. Treat “late 2025 or early 2026” as a window rather than a guaranteed opening date, and watch local coverage for updates.
• Parking: No details yet. The original Katz’s was notorious for parking challenges—so expect demand to exceed availability, especially given current downtown parking and mobility constraints. If you’re planning a Katz’s run alongside other downtown outings, it’s worth brushing up on December 2025 parking hacks and ParkATX strategies.
Parking on West 6th and in the wider downtown core is limited and heavily enforced. Plan for paid garages, rideshare, or scooters instead of banking on street parking right out front.
• Vibe forecast: Hsu’s involvement means the space will likely balance gritty nostalgia with polished Austin design. Think updated neon, more comfortable booths, and late‑night energy in the spirit of other Michael Hsu–designed spaces around town.
• Menu expectations: Sources indicate the Houston menu will anchor the Austin version, meaning bigger portions, a modernized breakfast program, and more family‑friendly options that echo what diners already see at Katz’s Houston locations and on the official Katz’s Never Kloses site.
• Cultural impact: This marks the biggest comeback of a legacy restaurant since Threadgill’s closed, a moment that’s been well documented in Statesman coverage of Austin’s disappearing institutions. Anticipate long lines in the first months—and a wave of nostalgia from locals who remember Katz’s as the final stop after concerts, festivals, and late nights on West 6th.
When doors first reopen, expect the longest lines after 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Locals chasing nostalgia with fewer crowds should aim for weeknights or off-peak late afternoons.
If you’re already plotting your first late‑night Katz’s visit, you can start mapping out complementary downtown plans—from navigating Convention Center construction detours to timing holiday‑season outings like Austin holiday markets or kid‑friendly light displays.
