Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden to reopen March 6, donating reopening-weekend sales to families of shooting victims

Reopening follows March 1 mass shooting on West Sixth Street

Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden will reopen on Friday, March 6, days after a mass shooting outside the West Sixth Street venue left three people dead and 14 others injured. The business said it will donate 100% of sales from its reopening weekend—Friday through Sunday—to victims and families affected by the attack.

The shooting occurred early Sunday, March 1, near closing time in Austin’s nightlife district. Authorities have described a fast-moving incident that prompted an immediate emergency response and a large-scale investigation at the scene. In the days since, a memorial has formed outside the venue, reflecting a broader community effort to grieve and support those impacted.

What the business says it will do

In announcing the reopening, Buford’s said weekend proceeds will go to those most affected by the shooting, directing all sales from March 6–8 to victims’ families. The announcement places the venue among several local businesses and groups that have organized benefit events and fundraising efforts in the aftermath.

• Reopen date: Friday, March 6
• Donation commitment: 100% of sales from Friday through Sunday
• Intended recipients: victims and families affected by the March 1 shooting

How donations may be structured and what remains unclear

Benefit pledges tied to sales can vary in how funds are calculated and distributed. Buford’s has stated that all reopening-weekend sales will be donated, but key operational details typically relevant to such efforts have not been publicly specified, including the exact mechanism for distributing funds, whether donations will be routed through an established relief fund, and how eligibility will be determined among victims and families.

These specifics matter for transparency and for ensuring funds reach intended recipients promptly. In comparable community relief efforts, organizers often provide timelines, third-party administration, or documentation describing how proceeds are handled. As of March 6, the central verified elements are the reopening date and the stated commitment to donate weekend sales.

Community members have continued to leave flowers and other items at a growing memorial outside the venue in the days following the shooting.

Public safety context on West Sixth

The incident has renewed attention on safety in Austin’s entertainment corridors, where large crowds, late-night operations, and nearby vehicle traffic can complicate emergency response. Officials have not publicly signaled that West Sixth Street businesses face new mandatory reopening conditions tied to this event; however, ongoing investigative activity and public safety planning typically shape how venues coordinate staffing, entry screening, and communication with law enforcement.

Buford’s reopening and donation initiative comes as Austin residents continue to seek ways to support victims and as the city processes the broader impact of the March 1 attack.