Milton Tavern Launches Soft Opening

MILTON — A new restaurant and bar has opened its doors in Milton, with the Milton Tavern launching a soft opening on Wednesday.

The Milton Tavern is located at 430 Geyser Rd. The building, which is the former home of Jay’s Bar and Grill, was taken over by current owners Micah Henzel and Joseph Muia III in March.

Henzel formerly worked as a sous chef at Nanola in Malta and Henry’s Tavern in Ballston Spa, while Muia III spent a decade working at Dozer’s Bar and Grill in Milton. Now, the two are combining their experience into a new venture.

“So I’ve got the restaurant experience, Joey’s got the front-of-house experience,” said Henzel.

It is the first venture as owners for the pair, who “gutted” the restaurant during renovations, Henzel said.

Henzel, who also owns MJG Construction Group, said the bar has new tables and chairs, and a newly renovated kitchen, patio, and bathrooms. 

“The only thing that stayed is the original bar,” Henzel said.

The renovations moved quickly, with Henzel saying they initially entered the space in March.

“I was here 12 hours a day for pretty much three months,” Henzel said.

Henzel said the Milton Tavern will offer 14 beers on tap, as well as selections of wine and bourbon. Their food offerings include a variety of New England bar pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and wings. The tavern also serves nachos, chips and dip, salads, soup, and a variety of entrees, including grilled hanger steak and grilled marinated chicken breast according to their menu.

Henzel added that the bar will be “neighborhood-friendly,” also offering a kids’ menu.

“We’ve got prosecco on tap, so we think that’s going to be a big seller,” said Henzel. “We’re going to have a claw machine for the kids, and dartboards. It’s going to be a nice neighborhood place.”

The Milton Tavern will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays and Mondays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Henzel also said they will consider adding a brunch option “when football season starts” in the fall. 

Henzel, who is an area native and also said he worked at restaurants such as Longfellows and Olde Bryan Inn while growing up, said it is meaningful to establish a business in the community.

“It’s great.” Henzel said. “I love Saratoga. It’s my favorite town in America.”