Buford's Reopens After Shooting, Donates Sales to Victims

Police and barricades are stationed outside Buford’s as the bar reopens for the first time since the mass shooting on West Sixth Street in Austin Friday, March 6, 2026.

Crowds were noticeably sparse for a Friday night on West Sixth Street following the mass shooting at Buford‘s Backyard Beer Garden on March 1. The bar — which reopened on March 6 after being shuttered for four days — was newly decorated in string lights, streamers and roses.

Flowers placed by community members throughout the week wrapped around the front entrance, along with candles, photos and handmade markers commemorating the three people who died following the attack.

A yellow ribbon, often used to honor victims, survivors and families affected by violent attacks, was draped across the red, illuminated heart-shaped Buford’s sign floating above the bar’s front steps.

“(Buford’s) was a staple for us throughout college,” Madelyn Spottswood said at Marfa Lights, another West Sixth Street bar, on Friday night. “It’s surreal to think that could have happened when we were there, and it’s crazy to think that can happen so suddenly.”

Spottswood was out celebrating her sister Allyson’s birthday, along with their parents. Allyson Spottswood said she chose to bring her family to Marfa Lights because she heard the bar was donating 100% of profits Friday night to the shooting victims.

“Nobody should have to live through that or be a victim,” Allyson Spottswood said. “When I heard of this fundraiser, I knew this was one of the places I wanted to stop. I want to have fun on my birthday, but I also want to support something that’s important for Austin.”

Buford’s will also be donating 100% of this weekend's sales to the shooting victims and their families. Sarah Cain, who was at the bar when the shooting occurred, chose to come back the first night it reopened.

“Everyone kind of fell to the ground. I got out pretty quickly because I came here a lot during college, so I knew where to go,’ Cain said. “I was lucky that I didn’t drink that much that night. I’m also fairly familiar with guns, so I realized the magnitude of it as soon as I heard the first shot.”

She said a friend who was with her at Buford's that night will not be coming back anytime soon, adding that “everyone has different ways of coping with things.”

“A lot of people got hurt and the victims’ families need the money right now,” Cain said. “I figure more than (Buford’s) needs the business, they probably need the support.”

'Life's too short to live in fear'

Marc Chattrabhuti left flowers at Buford’s earlier in the week and also decided to come to the bar the night it reopened, to prove to himself that he was not dictated by fear, he said.

“You hear about (shootings) happening elsewhere in the country, but never think it would happen here,” Chattrabhuti said. “It’s very sobering when it happens here because it makes you wonder if you’re safe at home.”

A portion of Rio Grande Street adjacent to Buford’s was barricaded and more than a dozen police officers were present outside of the bar on Friday night.

“I wanted to come out myself, but I understand if other people are still hesitant and waiting for things to simmer down,” Chattrabhuti said. “It’s good to see the police presence and security here, and I do feel safe.”

Back at Marfa Lights, Alex Graves recalled the night the shooting happened. He said Marfa Lights staff immediately slammed the doors and shut off the music when the shooting started, later ushering patrons out the back exit.

“We can’t live our lives in fear because of one individual’s bad actions. Life is too short,” Graves said. “I urge people to continue enjoying what Austin has to offer. Bad things happen everywhere. It’s a tragedy, but if we let it ruin what we have here in Austin, that’s not going to fix anything.”