Now a neighborhood institution, The Twilight Rainier is the south end sister of the longtime Central District haunt Twilight Exit, and sits where the Union Bar used to be. It’s Hillman City’s basic full-service watering hole: a full bar, comfy, a bit loud, and a solid pub menu.

5609 Rainier Ave

Twilight Rainier

This impossibly cool, dimly lit space is a cozy and friendly neighborhood bar focusing mostly on wine, amaro and cheap bar snacks. The best amaro list in South Seattle.

5701 Rainier Ave

Mimi Bar

Black and Tan Hall is a local success story: a community-owned cultural venue, bar and restaurant. Local jazz, blues, soul, hip hop, folk and latin music performaces grace the stage as well as other events. Chef Tay’s kitchen and bar serve up hearty savory dishes with southern and Caribbean influences… and creative cocktails and mocktails.

5608 Rainier Ave.

Black and Tan Hall | menu

Habesha Cafe is many things–a comfortable Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurant and cafe, a shop selling spices, wine and selected dry goods, and at its heart, a bakery supplying fresh injera to East African restaurants and shops around Seattle. The cafe stays open through dinner with a takeout menu for nearby bar patrons.

5710 Rainier Ave S

Habesha Cafe | menu

South Seattle is full of good breweries, but Machine House is Hillman City’s most hyperlocal one. It’s also a comfortable, spacious taproom for chatting, playing games, reading, watching televised soccer games. Usually 8-10 beers on tap, mainly (though not exclusively) the English-style mild ales which are Machine House’s specialty. There’s no food, but you are welcome to order from Habesha’s pub-focused evening takeout menu.

5718 Rainier Ave.

Machine House Brewery

The main neighborhood coffee joint, Onda Origins is a well-lit space provides the neighborhood with high-quality grower-sourced coffee, roasted onsite. Pastries come from Onda’s sister business Fresh Flours on Beacon Hill.

5600 Rainier Ave S.

Onda Origins Cafe and Roastery

A lively tap room and bottle shop with plenty of room for indoor and outdoor socializing. Kid-friendly and pet-friendly! as all the neighborhood folks who hang out here are well aware. There are a few pre-pack food items for sale, or you can pick up barbecue, or poke, or teriyaki at one of the restaurants within one block.

5303 Rainier Ave.

Hill City Tap House and Bottle Shop