About Mike Miller & Hop Häus Restaurant Group
Mike Miller founded Hop Häus in 2014 with a simple idea: combine the comfort of a neighborhood pub with the elevated quality of a chef-driven kitchen, while championing local craft beer at a time when few options were available in Connecticut. Since opening the first Southington location over a decade ago, he has grown the Hop Häus Restaurant Group to include multiple locations — each built on the same values of quality, consistency, and community.
Mike’s passion for hospitality comes through in every detail, from sourcing sustainable meats and local farm produce to showcasing Connecticut’s thriving craft beer and distilling scene. Under his leadership, Hop Häus has earned numerous accolades, including Best Burger, Best Pub, and Best Craft Beer Selection, along with recognition for its innovative cocktail program and a loyal following that feels more like family than customers.
In 2022, Mike expanded with The Salty Dog Tavern in Milldale, CT. Designed as a true family tavern, The Salty Dog features sports, darts, trivia, karaoke, and live entertainment — all paired with hearty comfort food and a laid-back atmosphere. It’s become a local favorite, combining everything people expect from a great neighborhood tavern with the same focus on quality and community that defines Hop Häus.
Mike’s restaurant journey began in 2009, when he built and opened Blackstone Irish Pub in Southington. For over a decade, Blackstone thrived as an authentic Irish pub, known for hearty Irish fare, some of the best live bands in Connecticut, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It was not only a success, but also a place where Mike learned invaluable lessons about hospitality and community. In 2020, after more than ten years of fun and growth at Blackstone, he decided to fully focus on expanding the Hop Häus brand.
Before hospitality, Mike began his career in the construction field in 1995. He personally built each of his restaurants with his own hands, supported by friends and the local community. This hands-on craftsmanship gives him a sense of pride in his restaurants that few restaurateurs share — they are truly a part of him.
Through challenges like rising costs, staffing struggles, and the impact of COVID-19, Mike has remained committed to community involvement, quality products, and creating jobs that strengthen the towns his restaurants call home. His leadership has been recognized with Business Leader of the Year honors from both the Southington and Berlin Chambers of Commerce.
For Mike, running restaurants isn’t just about food and drink — it’s about creating spaces where people connect, celebrate, and feel welcome. Whether it’s a guest walking through the door for the first time or a long-time regular pulling up a barstool, Mike’s vision is that every visit to Hop Häus or The Salty Dog feels like home.
