The Last Word

We went here a few months ago and had a great time. It was clean with a good atmosphere. We looked forward to returning. This evening we went back and were hit with a pungent stench. The place smelt terrible. We went in anyway and walked into a fully lit room. The lights were full blast lighting up all the imperfections. Still we say down to drink and both our stools were broken. The stools next to us were also broken. We left, epic fail.

I rated this two stars only because our first experience wasn’t bad. My sisters and I were in town on vacation and we tried this place out and thought it had a cool speakeasy feel to it. Due to our flight getting cancelled because of weather, we ended up having to stay another night in San Antonio. We remembered that food was served until 1 in the morning here and we needed a bite to eat, so we went back. Right when we walked up to the bar, there was a guy who seemed to be the bar back who completely ignored us… To the point it was awkward. The bartender finally came over to get our order and he was perfectly nice and normal. Later in the night, the same bar back guy brought us our food and without saying one word turned right around and walked away. Again, so strangely awkward and rude that my sisters and I had to laugh at this point. We all work in the industry, so simply asking if we had everything we needed, or even saying hello would’ve been sufficient. When it was time to go, we went up to the bar to get our check. Again, the same guy ignored us, but we asked him for our check anyway and he walked over to the bartender and then walked back over to our side of the bar… AGAIN, not saying anything. The whole experience was seriously weird with that guy… But aside from him, the atmosphere is cool and the drinks are good. The food was HORRIBLE which we didn’t expect because the menu made it sound delicious and exotic. We got the grilled cheese and a cheese and meat platter. Not sure how you mess up a grilled cheese but it was pretty bad, and I am not picky.
Overall, I’d say come here for drinks as long as you can avoid the rude bar back.

The only negative is the downtown location, traffic etc but it is worth the trip. Ambiance and cocktails are divine. Can be a little pricey but the bartenders are good at their craft and drinks are top notch. Perfect for nice night out with friends!

Went there on Friday (⁴⁄₈) before heading to Aztec theatre. It is down the stairs in an old dance club that is now a small long bar. Happy hour had ended, but we was extended to allow us to get an Old Fashion and Moscow Mule. Both were top notch drinks. Then tried the Mexican Cuban with ham, escaviche, queso oaxaca, Chile rojo, and grain mustard. The mustard had a kick and the queso oaxaca was a different Texan/​Mexican twist to the sandwich that came out in a heart shape. It was top notch and hit the spot with chicharrones (pork rinds) as the side.
This is a bar to hang out and was nice that it wasn’t packed. The bartender was one of the owners and spent time talking about the place and interesting topics. It was a great start to a fun evening downtown. Stop here for a different take on a bar near the Riverwalk. Much better than the tourist traps.

Everything Ranges on a scale of 1 – 5!
Price: 3
Atmosphere: 5
Bartenders: 5
Happy Hour: 5
(Monday — Friday 5 – 7, offering $ 5 cocktails (Old Fashion, Gimlet, and one other…) and House Wine)
Food: Yes
Review:
This place is amazing! As good as it gets.
It is a little pricey, but its Downtown! What would you expect? Really, the price isn’t that different from most (good) cocktail bars in the area. Drinks range from $ 8-​$ 13 dollars with some shot specials. Typical prices.
I have visited this bar many times before, once on New Years, which despise being slammed were friendly and helpful to those that they were serving.
Usually I go into the bar when Happy Hour is over, which is from 4 – 7 offering 5 dollar cocktails (three to choose from). During the off Happy Hour Hours that i have visited I’ve ordered a drink called Stage Dives and Fist Fights… which might be the best thing in the world. It is the perfect balance or spirits coming together in one cocktail. I’m not a big Mezcal fan, but this drink makes me eat my words, (or drink them, in this case.)
This past visit, i actually made it in time for a happy hour, which included a Slow and Low Old Fashion. Which. Was Amazing. The Slow and low is on tap at the Bar right now (the spirit on tap does rotate). And the Old Fashioned it’s made with is excellent. The bartenders are friendly, and there is food in case you get hungry!
I wish the Happy hour applied to the cocktails on the menu. but it doesn’t. and yet they are still amazing. Besides the Stage Dives and Fist Fights, I’ve had friends order other cocktails, but I to be honest, It was New Years and I dont really remember what we got, or how good it was. When i visited during this past Happy Hour though, there were other consumers there that were trying the Cocktails off the menu, and there is absolutely no shortage of creativity in the presentation of the concoctions. The Apex Predator is served in a Tiki Glass, and actually comes served on a plate with a little garnish. This place has mad plating skills. It actually made me want to spring the money on the most expensive cocktail on he menu. Budget, however, says that I have to wait. (Maybe when the Income tax check arrives I can order it?)
All in All. GO TO THIS BAR. GET ALL THE DRINKS. The menu is seasonal (as it is as most bars), and is subject to change. SO ACT NOW.
–Drinking In S.A.
Tavern Wench signing off.

Located downstairs from the entrance hides this cozy dive bar. If you’re in the mood for conversation and classic cocktails, this is a must.
Seems like a place to dress formal for but casual customers are more than welcome and are frequent.
Ask for Steve, he makes great drinks!

Continuing our Sunday night cocktail bar crawl, the wife and I made the Last Word our last stop of the night. The Last Word was an interesting place. For good or bad, the place seemed to be the result of trendspotting cocktail culture and appropriating it liberally down to selecting an «underground» location, the décor, and the drinks. Don’t take this as a criticism, merely an observation. In fact, I could care less if a bar is the epitome of every craft cocktail bar cliché to include handlebar mustachioed bartenders wearing white shirts, vests and arm garters so long as it can deliver the goods. The Last Word most definitely delivered the goods.
I’m not a big fan of the move towards cocktails on tap. I like to see the bartender actually make my drink with measured pours of the ingredients, proper stirring or shaking, etc., rather than simply pulling a tap handle and, «Voilà!», a cocktail. As a result, I skipped that part of the menu (although I did see some of my usual go-to’s on tap) and went directly to the House Cocktails. I ordered the Jin’s Cobbler ($ 9) made with Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum and a mango shrub, Thai chile tincture, and lemongrass oil, which I’m pretty sure were all housemade. It was a very solid, well made drink possessing balanced booziness, acidity, sweet and spicy notes, and nice aromatics from the lemongrass. While the Jin’s Cobbler may have been intended as a tiki drink, it certainly wasn’t tiki drink season in December in my line of thinking. That said, the Jin’s Cobbler was definitely my kind of tiki drink. I enjoyed it immensely.
Being fans of the Brooklynite, our time at the Last Word equaled our enjoyment from visits to its sister bar. The Last Word possesses style backed up by substance. It will definitely be a cocktail stop for me the next time I’m in town.

Dropped in to grab a few cocktails before sliding over across the street to The Majestic (we were seeing Jerry Seinfeld that evening). Because of the Unilocal reviews, my sister & I chose here to get our pre-​game going before the show.
Had a round of No Troubles Just Bubbles drink that was delicious with sliced cold pears topped off in a champagne glass. Planned on ordering another round of the same drink but the bar was slammed with Pub Runners that came through trying to order a quick drink and run out to the next bar. Even though there were 3 bartenders that evening and we were sitting at the bar, we never got out 2^nd order even after asking the bartender for the next round. The cocktail making and muddling was time consuming paired with a huge crowd hitting the bar that it our buzz wore off from our first and only cocktail here.
Despite the slow service, I am sure I will come back again when I am seeing another show at The Majestic Theater. The ambiance was fun and the cocktails were delicious.

What a delight! I really enjoyed coming here for a late night cocktail! I got the «No Troubles, Just Bubbles» and it made my heart sing. So light and refreshing.
The aura in the room is lovely too! great décor and since it is a smaller bar, there is a certain electricity in the air that makes a late drink seem perfect. Overall I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a gourmet cocktail in the heart of San Antonio.

We were hanging out in downtown San Antonio on a Monday, so we knew it’d be hard to find a drink. But dang, not that difficult! We were about to enter a bar when they told us they were closed for another week, but then recommended we go to The Last Word.
We walked over and found stairs leading down to their basement bar. Upon walking in, it looked really cool and had a bit of a hipster vibe. But what doesn’t these days! The ambience was chill and laid back. I enjoyed the décor and their small bar.
My boyfriend and friend enjoyed a couple of cocktails (one made with tequila and the other was an old fashioned) and I enjoyed their yummy cucumber water. Their wine on tap that evening wasn’t very great and I was too tired for anything else. The gentlemen enjoyed their drinks and we were on our way.
I could see this place being quite popular. The bartender was friendly and it’s a pretty cool lounge as well. I would definitely return!

The Last Word is your place if you are searching for a quality hand crafted cocktail served by unpretentious staff in an underground literary inspired atmosphere. The Last Word is very classy. It is a great place to hang out, and enjoy a great conversation with friends late night in San Antonio. They serve some small bites to snack on. The space is small, and they have some comfy seating areas, some hidden around the corner for larger groups. You can reserve in advance for any size group to ensure a spot to sit at. The bar is the best place to sit, as you can see the action and talk with the friendly bar staff. They use local produce whenever possible, and craft their own tinctures and bitters. They have 15 cocktails on tap, do great classic drinks, and creative house cocktails that vary by season. The drink prices vary, but are typical cocktail menu prices. I will definitely come back here during my next trip to San Antonio. Don’t be afraid to descend the stairs to enjoy a great drink and conversation.

Come here for a delicious cocktail! Yes it’s in a concrete basement with minimal décor but I wasn’t going for ambience. I went because I had gone to its sister bars and was so impressed with the cocktails, we couldn’t resist this one. Plus it was only a few steps from our hotel.
They didn’t have a great selection of bourbon, but all I had to was tell him what I liked and he blended a cocktail that was perfect to top of the night!

We came here after dinner downtown and it was a unique atmosphere. The bar is located downstairs, sandwiched between two buildings so it can be easy to miss. Once down the stairs, you enter a room mixing elements of a prohibition bar and hipster hang-​out. The red walls are adorned with portraits of famous authors and décor that makes the room appear larger than it is. There’s a mix of typical bar chairs and vintage furniture that make a space that could feel like a cellar a little more cozy.
There were fancy drinks made to order and a decent wine selection, but I opted for a beer. I was disappointed that it was served in a can and I wasn’t offered a glass.
I’d return for another casual drink.

4.25 stars. There are only two issues I have with this bar, and they are minimal: 1) I’m not personally a major fan of cocktails on tap (though it’s a growing trend and apparently great for ensuring perfect ratios…) and 2) the Last Word cocktail priced at $ 35 is crazy expensive (note: everything else is between $ 6 and $ 13 which is more than affordable). That’s it. Everything else about this bar is fantastic.
Let’s start with the space. It’s gorgeous and they have these really classy walls which are quite surprising to the touch (no seriously, touch them… awesome bartender Stephanie recommended it and yeah, it’s trippy). The Last Word has a distinctive old school feel to it, and is probably best described as classy.
The drinks, especially within San Antonio, are superb. A classic paloma exhibited enviable balance, the penicillin was sufficiently boozy between its sweeter notes, and an amalgam of blackberry jam and gin provided a sweet elixir with surprising punch. The bartenders are friendly, knowledgeable without being pretentious, and just fun people overall. They seem like the type of people you would instantly want to include in your circle of friends.
For those of you who do like cocktails on tap, The Last Word is excellent. Indeed, they have over ten cocktails they provide in this fashion. Back home in DC, I think the most I ever saw at a particular bar was three at a time. So if cocktails on tap is a particular fancy of yours, knock yourself out here (not literally but definitely figuratively).
For everyone else, the cocktail list is solid, the sheer diversity of product off-​menu is incredible (at one point we were drinking Yamazaki 18 and I did note they have some excellent selections of gin that aren’t on the regular menu). and the atmosphere is pleasing. I’d place The Last Word in the same stratosphere with Brooklynite and Esquire Tavern, and certainly a cut above places like Hidden Dragon Lounge and George’s Keep.

The Last Word has jumped to the top of our list of favorite cocktail bars in Texas. Their bartenders are simply genius; they are willing to work with difficult palates, and a true understanding of the techniques. My husband had 4 sazeracs from 4 different bars that night and The Last Word was the first to knock it out of the park with the correct amount of citrus, and taking the time to stir to proper dilution. All the praise to my brother’s manhattan and my mezcal negroni. Without a doubt, this is not a bar to be missed!

Happy hour 5 – 7 which includes one of my new faves the Paloma. First time i came it was properly made. Today it was «on tap» HUH? i know, i should’ve known better. No sir, i didn’t like it. I get it, it’s only $ 5, but have a little pride!
I’m not sure what happened, but last time it was a hand made craft cocktail, not this.
Why the three stars? That first visit was so good, i have to have faith this is s fluke.
Our last bartender when my friend and i came was a true cocktail craftsman.
This really is a cool place, right next door to the palm restaurant. You could easily miss it, the sign is kinda dark and high and the stairs going down will lead you to the place. Chillax vibe, hope next time is better.

Stephan, the bartender, is cool as shit. Definitely a place I would frequent often. I will revisit after my meal at Bohanan’s. Hands down the best service I’ve had in San Antonio (compared to Esquire and sushi zushi). Although we didn’t order any of the cocktails on tap, his cocktail suggestions were on point. He was also very informative on all the liqueurs that were present.
Photo is of a Mint Julep with Markers Mark. My husband got the Monte Carlo (twist on an old fashioned) and both were so delicious.

Cue the music: The dream of Portland is alive in San Antonio.
Where a bartender may elect to wear a heavy duty plastic butcher like apron. Good ice (large cubes) may be custom fitted to glasses right in front of you– watch out for ricocheting pieces flying past your face. I feel like someone on a unicycle could roll by me and no one would blink. Tight little man vests and swirly mustaches seem almost mandatory.
K. I’ve never been to Portland. I’d have to ask boss lady Chiqui B about specifics related to Portland. But I binge watch Portlandia when I’m in lazy mode on days off from work. That’s my only point of reference so I’m just gonna stick with it.
But in the same way I love that damn show, I like this bar. Muddle as many ingredients as you want, wear whatever kitschy outfit makes you happy, and keep serving my drinks over that good ice. If you don’t like the vibe, don’t come. If you care about a good drink with occasional chuckles at people who take craft cocktails ridiculously seriously, come to Portland, I mean, The Last Word.

To: The Last Word
You are definitely causing a scene in the craft cocktail world. Well done. I personally love the fact that you offer mixed drinks on tap. Excellent concept.
Great Aesthetic — Great Bartenders (looks like you pulled some of the best from all over town and put them in this concentrated space). I see what you’re doing here — awesome. Keep it up!
Until we meet again… Salud
Sincerely,
Mrs. Very Very Picky but Very Very Impressed

What another fun and unique concept brought to us by the team behind The Brooklynite.
The Last Word is more cocktail focused and doesn’t feature food but the atmosphere is to die for!
Your experience begins without you even setting foot into the establishment. I loved the whole speakeasy vibe. I’m honestly a sucker for these concepts.
In order to enter the bar you have to take an elevator to the bottom floor or take the stairs around the bend. Keep in mind the stairs nor the elevator have anything listed as an entrance to The Last Word, but trust me they will.
Once you take the plunge and arrive on the bottom floor you will be shocked to see that there is a hostess waiting to greet you.
You’ll be asked if you want a table or will be seated at the bar with a smile. Once you have responded she will hand over drink menus to your party and escort you in.
THIS GESTURE ALONE WAS AMAZING AND HAD ME SMILING FROM CHEEK TO CHEEK
I absolutely love places that think ahead and provide such customer service. We were able to look over the drink menu without having to go to the bar or stop someone. Allowed us to take our time and decide what we wanted to drink.
Once we asked for a table she escorted us to the double doors and walked us into the bar.
The environment reminded me a lot of The Dead Poet Society. Very artistic and Ivy League. Such a different vibe that will make it stand on its own two feet here in the 210.
They have about 15 cocktails on draft and from the ones I had that night I was very impressed.
My favorite of the night was the Island Ol’ Fashioned.
The Last Word also features a great assortment of champagnes and craft beers besides your standard full bar options.
Overall a must see for anyone who loves the craft drink scene with a great atmosphere:)