The Hill at Muza

This place is cute and off the beaten path. I love the idea of expansive outdoor space in Troy and something up the hill a bit. There’s only street parking available. I’ve been here twice, once when it first opened and it was still warm out and again when it was winter — but warm enough to sit outside (with the addition of outdoor heaters/​fire).
The service is «meh» at least the times I’ve been there. The first time they used a ticketing system which had you pay for tickets, then use the tickets for food or drinks. The server had complained that many people don’t know to tip her. This more recent time the service was just very slow and the bartender seem mildly confused/​overwhelmed all night. While there were maybe 20 – 25 patrons, after coming back to the bar to order a drink multiple times he had a real trouble remember my order. My friends and I usually buy rounds for each other, the first person gets an order, the second person gets the same thing for everyone etc. I think their POS system made it hard for the bartender to just look up the same order and just make those drinks again. Also, I ordered food and after a half hour I asked him if it was on it’s way. The ordered ended up never having gone in and he said it would be ready in 10 minutes.
The bar food was ok, but the restaurant food (aka the Muza Teaser, which features food from the restaurant below) was amazing! The popcorn had this flaky spice cover that was almost impossible to eat. Not from the heat but from the dried herbs on it made you cough with every bite. Made me drink more though, so maybe it’s doing it’s job.
I just really love the feeling and the space here and I love the drink selections, so I’ll over look some of the awkwardness I had while I was there.

This is a hidden treasure. We had to wait for a table for 4 at Muza and the hostess told us about the beer garden. It was –6 out and worse with the wind child, but the enclosed porch atmosphere was so cozy. We entered through the upstairs level at Muza, and I was wondering where we were going and when we came to the top, I was amazed at how beautiful it was. The outdoors were not to be ventured into today, but they had tons of heaters and you probably could be ok out there if not for the wind — they did such a fabulous job with the landscaping and brick work — what a gorgeous and intimate spot — almost feels like a secret speakeasy when you come from the restaurant part — it does have a subtle entrance outside but you might go right by if you did not know it was there. We had a pre dinner drink here and the hostess said she would call our cell phone. The gents in our party loved the beer selection, the other woman had a beer cocktail which she enjoyed, and I had a chardonnay which was perfect. The tables have wooden menus listing snacks such as pretzels, seasoned popcorn, meat and cheese, salads, and more. This is a wonderful date place or to gather with a small group of friends and even in the winter on a night that is not quite colder than a witch’s tit, it would be a fun place to go and hang out.

I’ve been pining for warka strong since 2008 and have never seen warka period on a US menu so found it exciting that they had one here even though I’m not a fan of the particular one they serve currently. Super neat atmosphere — can’t wait to visit again! Bonus points for purse hooks on every surface inside and out (except the bathroom wall, but still!) loved it.

Came here as a party of four to enjoy the European-​esque atmosphere on a chilly night. We almost drove right past The Hill at its unassuming 15^th St x Congress St exterior, which was a gate to stairs spiraling up to a cozy garden patio with several flame heaters and a fire pit. We all thought «wow!» as it appeared to be an attractive site even for colder weather and that it would most likely be even better during the warmer days.
We entered the enclosed bar and were greeted immediately by the bartender. After we were all ID’ed, he told us about the drink and food menu, offered outdoor or indoor seating, and tipped us off to the coat hangers at each table, quite convenient. The lighting inside was very charming and we decided it would be more cozy to enjoy time inside and to save the garden for another time (summertime waterfall and outdoor grill?!) To order drinks and food, the bar area at the front takes care of it all. We decided to sip on some prosecco (Italian sparkling white, $ 8/​glass), brachetto (sweet sparkling red, $ 7/​glass), and litu (Chilean chardonnay, $ 7/​glass) and munch on hot pretzel sticks with melted butter, salt, and beer mustard dip ($ 7) & the Muza Teaser (stuffed cabbage, two pierogie, and kielbasa, $ 13). Order up front and the menu says pick up at front as well, but we got them happily delivered right to our table. We also got to try the citrus and cranberry infused water (complimentary)… light and refreshing just like spa water. We were given the choice to pay right after our order with the tablet POS or to start a tab, so it is an option for those who are interested.
I found the pretzels to be warm and tasty, but a little over salted. The stuffed cabbage was perfectly spiced and pierogies satisfying. The kielbasa however did not seem to be the star of the show. For the amount the Muza Teaser cost it didn’t necessarily feel ‘worth every penny’, but was certainly stomach-​teasing and would leave you asking for more. This was also my 1^st experience with sparkling red wine and gave me a positive surprise. The typical red undertones were subtle and a sweet but not cloying taste left me desiring more of that sparkling goodness. It was a wonderful way to end the night as we had previously sipped on some wine at another Troy establishment prior to heading to The Hill. It would have been even more appropriate to pair with dark chocolate or something bittersweet… please add dessert to the menu! Nevertheless, our group enjoyed the atmosphere and although there is one large flat screen TV in the enclosed bar, it didn’t take away from the overall experience, although I’d personally prefer it to be a non-​TV establishment.
To sum it up, The Hill seems to be a great place for date night, girls night out, or just a group of friends that want to enjoy a charming night that kind of makes you feel like it’s not the suburbs!

The first time I went was during their soft opening. The gardens are beautiful and sitting outside was so relaxing. I brought some girlfriends recently and again sat outside under a super cool patio heater. Great spot for great beer and fun food. Staff was super friendly.

The venue itself is absolutely stunning. Beautiful space. I went when it was a little too cold for me to sit outside, but lots of other people were because they have space heaters. It’s ultra romantic.
Apparently the pretzels can be made to be vegan, and they are delicious. There wasn’t really any other option for me to eat unfortunately. (I never count salads, I HATE salads).
There beer selection was okay, I wasn’t super impressed by anything. It wasn’t really my style. They had some interesting choices though. We had Roadsmarys Baby, and Zyweic Porter. Both that were great, but nothing mind blowing.
I think if maybe I go back on a date, and I’m trying to tune into the more romantic aspect it would up it a star. Or maybe if I could eat more. Or maybe if the beer list was a little more interesting. I want to love this place, I just don’t yet. But I’ll be going back.

An atmosphere and ambiance similar to a quaint European beer garden. From the gorgeous lighting to the more then tentative staff, this place brings out the best mood in you. Ticket concept is easy and quite enjoyable, with a great beer selection and the right food accompaniment.

A lovely place, comfortable, great for intimate conversations and feels like you are at a friends gorgeous yard that you don’t want to leave. There was a nice running waterfall fountain that was incredible to look at before I even realized it was a fountain because it wasn’t on when we arrived and then someone went to turn it on. The fountain before it was turned on looked like rock ruins from an old building which fascinated me. I guess you can’t plain when a place opens for business but it would have been nice to have enjoyed it all this summer. In the cooler months I heard there will be heaters outside.
As we went in we bought are tickets from Adam, the one owner whom was very nice and helpful at telling us how it worked and where everything there was. The $ 6 each tickets were to use to purchase whatever we wanted for basically $ 6 each (instead of using money you would hand them the tickets); all items except for the Muza Teaser which was 2 tickets; which I decided to get. The dish included a cabbage roll with the tomato soup dipping sauce on the side, a link of kielbasa and two pierogies. The food was very good but as more of an appetizer/​small plate then as a meal. My other friend ordered at the grill: the grilled bratwurst which was cut down the center and both pieces were put into a bun and it came with a pickle and mustard and relish. She enjoyed it.
Not sure about the ticket situation and how that will work out but it’s easy enough to get more and Adam seemed to be around and very easily accessible. I just think if people could charge or pay after they were done that the bartender and grill person would be tipped better because customers would know better after what the tip should be. Not knowing how much you will eat or drink makes it difficult to tip ahead. Also a lot of people today don’t carry cash on them so if they want to tip a little more it makes it sort of very hard to do if they want to pay with a card and don’t usually carry money on them. Tipping is also based on service.

An amazing spot in hidden on the hillside of Troy! A one of a kind atmosphere that I’ll keep coming back to!