In a town that knows its sunsets and its spirits, LON’s Last Drop at The Hermosa Inn just landed a national nod that feels right at home.
The intimate Paradise Valley bar has been named to Chowhound’s list of 15 Historic Hotel Bars Worth Visiting, placing it alongside legendary Colonial taverns and Prohibition-era hideaways where the walls have stories and the cocktails carry weight.
At LON’s Last Drop, those stories start in the 1930s.
Long before it was a polished patio scene with twinkling lights and craft cocktails, the space served as cowboy artist Alonzo “Lon” Megargee’s art studio. He built the original Casa Hermosa by hand in the foothills of Camelback Mountain, shaping thick adobe walls, exposed beams, and handcrafted details into a personal desert sanctuary. Artists, intellectuals, and Hollywood names quietly filtered through. By the 1940s, the residence evolved into a guest ranch, and the legend only deepened.
Today, that same creative pulse runs through LON’s Last Drop, named after Megargee’s most famous work, The Last Drop From His Stetson. The 1923 painting, commissioned by Stetson, shows a cowboy tipping the last of his water from his hat to his horse, a quiet and powerful portrait of Western grit and generosity that still lines the interior of Stetson’s premium hats.
The bar channels that spirit with rugged elegance. Think Western furnishings, glowing fireplaces, and a patio framed by desert flora, colorful flowerbeds, and a trickling fountain. The cocktail list nods to the Sonoran landscape, balancing local ingredients with timeless classics, while the food menu leans shareable and unfussy.
Chowhound curated its list from more than 300 Historic Hotels of America properties, narrowing it down through guest reviews, social buzz, and editorial insight to spotlight bars that still embody the essence of their era. LON’s Last Drop made the cut.
“LON’s Last Drop is a tribute to the creative and independent spirit that shaped this property nearly a century ago,” Managing Director Jon Dils says. “We’re honored to see that heritage recognized among some of the most historic bars in the country.”
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m., the bar continues to do what it has done for nearly a century: welcome guests, pour something thoughtful, and let the desert do the rest.
Insider Takeaways
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LON’s Last Drop has been named one of Chowhound’s 15 Historic Hotel Bars Worth Visiting.
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The bar was originally Lon Megargee’s 1930s art studio at Casa Hermosa.
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Its name honors Megargee’s iconic 1923 painting, The Last Drop From His Stetson.
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The patio remains one of Paradise Valley’s most atmospheric spots, with fireplaces, fountains, and desert views.
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The cocktail program blends Sonoran-inspired ingredients with classic craftsmanship.
For more information on LON’s Last Drop at The Hermosa Inn, visit HermosaInn.com.
