Stay just a little bit longer…

At The Long Goodbye, nostalgia backdrops classic cocktails.

Words Abby L. Johnson | Photos Baptiste Despois

INT. THE LONG GOODBYE – AFTERNOON
The lights are low, a stark contrast to the harsh Texas sun outside. A bartender stands in wait behind the wood-paneled bar. It’s quiet, but not for long…

Stepping into The Long Goodbye is like popping through a rip in space and time, mysteriously finding oneself on a neo-noir film set. 2025 dissolves in a soft fade out, making way for 1970s Hollywood to emerge on-screen.

Named for the 1973 Robert Altman adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s novel, the Cherrywood neighborhood cocktail lounge leans into its namesake with cinematic precision. The drinks, the décor, the lighting – it’s all part of the scene.

Concoctions like the Amaretto Sour and Typewriter nod to a different era when sweet liqueurs reigned supreme. Get into character and lean into the retro appeal: these cocktails have been updated with better ingredients, balanced profiles, and thoughtful presentation.

House cocktails like Double Indemnity and Killer in the Rain wink at noir and Pulp Fiction tropes, but the drinks themselves are straightforward and well-
balanced. While the namesake references might be a bit dramatic, the bartenders skip the campy theatrics in the actual ingredients.

Though the overall atmosphere is transportive, the menu still hosts favorites of today’s Austin cocktail connoisseur. A mezcal margarita and the inclusion of two zero-proof options are subtle touches that come straight from the modern hospitality script.

Guests can get cozy at intimate tables inside, belly up to the bar, or spread out on the patio space shared with neighbors, Fleet Coffee and La Santa Barbacha.

EXT. THE LONG GOODBYE – NIGHT
The patio hums with quiet conversation. A couple leans in close, mezcal margaritas sweating in their hands. Someone tips back a martini. A dog naps beneath a picnic table. Overhead, the stars blink dimly in the city sky. The air smells faintly of citrus and smoke.
FADE OUT.