Easygoing Vacation-Themed Bar Opens in East Austin

Last Straw, the new East Austin bar and restaurant from JR Mocanu, is opening this week on Wednesday, August 15.

Last Straw’s tiki-esque cocktails span classic and house ones. Of the former, there are Mai Tais, whiskey smashes, and a take on the Conquering Lion. From the latter, there are fun pop culture-themed drinks with fruits, spices, coconuts, and more. The Last of Us cocktail, made with plentiful spirits, passionfruit, pineapple, grapefruit, and more, has a limit of two per drinker.

The food continues that tropical, easygoing theme. There are chips with queso or guacamole, a variety of chicken wings (from Cajun to very hot), dumplings with peanut sauce, grilled cheese sandwiches (kimchi/apple/sambal or fried onion/mayonnaise), fried rice, burgers (including the meatless Impossible Burger), and taquitos.

Most notably, there will be ssam with slow-roasted pork shoulder, served with lettuce wraps and the works. Everything is served bar service-style.

Helming the kitchen is chef Johnny Romo, who was the executive chef of now-gone Allandale restaurant Apothecary Cafe and Wine Bar, as well as Dish Society in Houston. Rounding out the team are Jayson Black (former Garage bar manager), Dan Regener (formerly of Townsend), and Steven Tucker (from Academia).

Last Straw previewed cocktails with a two-day pop-up at the Eleanor space in downtown Austin earlier this month.

For now, Last Straw will only open for the evenings from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Eventually, weekend lunch will be added.

• Nickel City Bar Manager Is Opening a New Bar Exuding Vacation Vibes [EATX]
• All Coverage of Last Straw [EATX]