Let me get this straight ...

I suspect the director just couldn't resist the lure of that closing shot of Lemmon standing at the window with BAR reflected in the glass next to him. It is a quite effective statement. The problem/temptation will always be there, pursuing or alongside him. To someone like that, the world must resemble a giant still; the same way there seems to be a restaurant or food truck every ten feet when you're on a diet!  (Now that I know something about.....)

The ending is ambivalent for both characters. Kirstin managed to walk past the bar without going in this time.

As an alcoholic in recovery, You learn to ignore those things. Some folks avoid the beer and wine aisle at the grocery store at first. but you have to get used to the availability.

Early on in recovery I worked as a clerk in a C Store, I sold beer and wine to all, when someone from the program came in I'd ask if they really wanted it, but still sold it if they weren't drunk, not for me to judge.

You don't have to stand tall, but you do have to stand up!