A new Astoria cocktail bar lets you pretend you're making progress on all of your weekend home improvement projects, by turning a trip to the "hardware store" into a semi-secretive detour for craft cocktails.
Tuesday night, The Last Word will open on Ditmars Boulevard, but the entrance has been cagily disguised as a hardware store that once occupied a storefront several blocks away. A vet of speakeasy-esque spot Raines Law Room (Padraig O’Brien) and the owner of the Maiella restaurant (Tommy Demaras) are opening the bar, doing craft cocktails and light bites behind the velvet curtain.
Some of the cocktails will come with branded ice cubes bearing the bar's name, like the Shore Runner with Reserve Rum, Deluxe Cream Sherry, creme de banane, Angostura Bitters and mole bitters. Others will come in dainty coup glasses, like the Smoking Jacket with blended scotch, rye whiskey, dry vermouth, Amaretto, Peychaud’s Bitters and a peat rinse.
When you need a refill, flag down the bartender or push the hidden button next to your table to summon the wait staff. They'll also be able to supply you with some bar snacks, like Burrata Truffle Balls and House Made Jerky.
31-30 Ditmars Boulevard between 31st and 33rd Streets in Astoria, (347) 670-4831; tlwastoria
