The Last Straw

New bar inspired by 'dads on vacation' destined for East Sixth Street

The Chicon space is being remodeled to make way for Last Straw.

Less than a month after neighborhood restaurant Chicon announced it was shuttering, we now know what will be taking its place. A team of well-known Austin names are converting it into a new bar promising “vacation by the hour.”

According to a release, Last Straw will he helmed by former Vox Table and Nickel City bar manager JR Mocanu in partnership with artist Will Bryant and designer Cody Halton. Bryant and Haltom are transforming the rustic interior of the building into a colorful space inspired by “tropical aesthetics, the [Italian design collective] Memphis Group, John Candy, silk plants, and dads on vacation.” What, no Weekend at Bernie’s?

The large square footage will give the designers much with which to work. In addition to 15 bars seats and booths and tables to accommodate 120 guests, the space also includes a small patio area.

Mocanu is heading a beverage program that is meant to match the vibe of the place with tongue-in-cheek cocktails such as the Titanic-inspired Rose Lied About Never Letting Go (Hendrick’s gin, Aperol, hibiscus, Earl Grey, rose, lemon, grapefruit) and the frozen C.R.E.A.M. (Monkey Shoulder Whisky, Hoodoo Chicory, pecan, pistachio, espresso, ice cream). The drink program will also include classic cocktails, boilermakers, beer, and wine.

For bites, the team drew inspiration from drunk food (they label it more elegantly as “late night eats that complement imbibing”). Although the full menu has not been announced, the release promises dishes like fried rice, dumplings, nachos, and burgers, as well as vegetarian options.

Like the drink menu, Last Straw’s food offerings are meant to be approachable, with plates meant for sharing and most items under $10. The full food menu will be served until 2 am every night.

If all goes according to plan, the team hopes to have the bar at 1914 E. Sixth St. open by the end of summer.

openings

Roaming Tiger

12th Street Austin coffee shop expands for first time into San Antonio

Photo courtesy of El Tigre Coffee Roasters

El Tigre is opening its first outpost, which will be in St. Paul Square.

A cozy coffee shop in Austin is growing its roots all the way to San Antonio. El Tigre Coffee Roasters, which has been open in the capital city since 2019, will open sometime in February at 123 Heiman St. in St. Paul Square.

The San Antonio location is the first outpost for El Tigre, which is part of a family of other Austin hotspots including wine shop Cork & Screw, tattoo shop Slowpoke Marfa, and outdoor food courts Camp East and Arbor Food Park. The most recent addition before El Tigre was the cool Austin speakeasy Trona.

Although Dreamers & Doers Hospitality clearly has a stronghold in Austin — where El Tigre originated — founder Tatanka Guerrero is now based in San Antonio.

The Chilean-Texan restaurateur has plenty of experience working in far-flung markets, so this is actually one of his smaller moves. Guerrero first became known in Texas for his Marfa restaurant, Al Campo, and he's also worked on projects in Miami and Los Angeles.

In Austin, much of El Tigre's popularity is thanks to its cozy environment; since January 2024, it's been located in a homey trailer that a handful of guests at a time can hang out in. In San Antonio, it'll be located in a convenient corner building.

El Tigre Coffee Roasters sign The new sign.Photo courtesy of El Tigre Coffee Roasters

El Tigre prides itself on "sourcing high-quality beans from around the world," according to a press release. It has two single-origin roasts from Honduras and Brazil, and one half-and-half blend of the two.

The existing shop offers a fairly standard coffee menu with some additions like alternative milks, unique flavors (rose and raspberry, among others), and Mexican specialties like hot chocolate. Products at both locations will be sourced with "sustainability, quality, and community" in mind.

Something new at the San Antonio location will be light breakfast and lunch options. There are some snacks available at the Austin location, but it sounds like this will be a new type of service. The menu is still under wraps.

The projects united under Dreamers and Doers share an artistic sensibility that blends extremely chic and moody interior design with more relatable elements like graffiti, tattoo art, and homey desert stylings. There are no photos of the interior of the shop yet, but if it looks anything like its family concepts, it'll be shaped by similar themes.

123 Heiman Street This building has seen a few concepts in recent years.Photo courtesy of El Tigre Coffee Roasters

“San Antonio is a special place, and I’m honored to have been welcomed with open arms into this community," said Guerrero in a press release. "My El Tigre team and I look forward to serving San Antonio residents for years to come and we can’t wait to get to know all of our new downtown Eastside neighbors, including all the bakers, pastry chefs, and farmers, and producers as we look to source as much as we can locally. Plus, I have some new culinary concepts in the works for San Antonio that will open soon, so there is much to be excited about."

When El Tigre at St. Paul Square opens, it'll operate 7 am to 4 pm daily. After a soft opening phase, the shop will update both the official opening date and operating hours. Potential visitors can check Instagram for any updates before arriving.

openings coffee