The Hollow Bar + Kitchen

I was told to try the vegan steak dinner so I made a reservation and it was 10/10 amazing. The presentation wasn’t the best but the steak was so delicious the potatoes were seasoned very well and the greens were so good. The customer service was great I had a waitress covered in tattoos and she was so beautiful and kind her customer service was perfect! The vibe was great and I was greeted when I arrived and when I left. The meal was $30 and totally worth it I’m coming back for sure!

Awesome experience here! Attended a group party here with over 40 people! They were able to fit us all pretty cozily in the space! The food was delicious and the desserts were unique! The staff and the chef clearly cared about their work! And those bread rolls...... were delicious! Parking is a hassle as every downtown area but definitely a place to try !

Absolutely beautiful venue! The decor and overall ambiance was stunning and the food was to die for. Everything was absolutely delicious! Especially the steak tips and green beans! (Sorry, I didn't get many photos and the rest I have have my family in them that I do not want to post. But seriously, it's beautiful and the food was so good! Even my super picky kids loved everything! And their brownies are Devine for dessert 😉)

Hollow Restaurant offers a great dining experience with a few minor notes. The highlight for me was their paella – it was flavorful, but the tomato base leaned a bit too sour for my liking. That said, the quality of the ingredients and the presentation were spot-on. The service was excellent! The staff was attentive, friendly, and made sure we felt well taken care of throughout the evening. Another standout was the beer selection – absolutely awesome! They have an impressive variety that caters to all tastes, from craft brews to classic favorites. Overall, Hollow Restaurant is definitely worth visiting. With a slight tweak to the paella’s seasoning, it could easily become a 5-star experience. I'll definitely be back to explore more of their menu!

This place has multiple vegan options that are clearly indicated. Our server was very cognizant of what was vegan and not. All the food was good, nothing amazing. Really cool atmosphere. No step to enter. And ADA stalls in gendered restrooms. However, the bathrooms from the front main entrance are down three steps. There are likely other ways to the restroom, but this was our first time here.

We ended up at The Hollow 2x in one day Once for dinner and back for drinks with friends. Our waiter Curtis was absolutely amazing. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was eclectic and all the staff were friendly. The Brisket sandwich was out of this world. If in the area again would definitely go back.

Was there for a bridal shower and it was wonderful. The food was amazing and waitress was awesome. What a fabulous meal and time!!!!

I had been here last almost 8 years ago (yes I’m old!) until last week. I don’t get to downtown Albany much anymore but I was in the area on a Saturday night. My husband and I got a seat at the bar right away. They had some really interesting cocktails! Our drinks were served quickly and were delicious. I will absolutely return to try their food and another bevy!

I saw many vegetarian choices on the menu so decided to eat here one Friday night. I had the "Chunk" vegan steak- OMG!! I've been a vegetarian for many years and this was a top 5!!! Delicious firm texture with nice char. Pepper crusted. Good fingerling potatoes. I see now why people love steak. Pricey at $30, but worth it for a treat. Walnut infused manhattan pretty light, would definitely not recommend.

I love the Hollow - so many great vegetarian, vegan and even non alcoholic beverage options! I loved their vegan chicken pesto sandwich - so good. And great selection with Athletic NA beer. Only issue is parking and sometimes they are randomly closed

The Hollow is pretty much one of your only dining options in downtown Albany, and it's a great pre-concert dinner choice if you're attending an event at the Empire Live theater next door. I really appreciate how many vegan options this place had, and we enjoyed our meal. The BBQ Seitan Wings were a huge winner in my book, and they were cooked perfectly - not too tough like many places tend to be. I also enjoyed their Brussels Sprouts. The Truffle Fries and Beer Cheese Appetizers were a bit underwhelming, unfortunately. I expected a lot more from the fries (the thicker cut fries were odd with the truffle flavoring) and the beer cheese needed a bit more flavor. Our waitress was very friendly and our bill was modest.

Unfortunately had a pretty poor experience here. I had been previously a couple months ago but just at the bar for a drink and that was a great experience. This time I came with my husband on a Tuesday evening around 5 and got a seat right away at a high top table. Our waiter was friendly and the place was clean with a cool/hip ambiance (but the bathrooms are kinda gross). We chose this place mainly because we wanted a couple drinks and a quick bite before a show next door. So we ordered our food and drinks at the same time. And waited........ we got our food after about 25 minutes from a food runner and asked them for our drink's because we hadn't seen our server. So the food runner went and grabbed our drinks that we saw sitting ready on the bar for some time. I had the risotto special with added shrimp and it was lukewarm. I couldn't have asked for it to be reheated even if I wanted to because again, we didn't see our server. Eventually my husband wanted a 2nd drink so he walked to the bar because again, we didn't see our server. Will certainly seek out an alternative if I'm in the area again for a show.

Service was fabulous and the place was very cute. Food was meh -- expected more based on the price and the menu descriptions. The fries were very very standard fries you can get at the frozen section of a grocery store and the "signature salad" was underwhelming. It was really carried by the truffle oil. I got the spicy apricot margarita and it was not great. It was very strong with not a lot of balance. I appreciate how they have a lot of vegetarian/vegan options though so I give them huge props for that. The rest of my party seemed to enjoy their meals and didn't have any complaints.

I feel like I have been missing out on The Hollow for too long. Recently, I took my coworkers there for dinner based on a friend's recommendation. They had options to accommodate the vegetarian and gluten-free members of our group. The interior had an industrial farmhouse vibe that was surprisingly appealing. Despite being busy at 8 pm, they had no trouble seating us. They offered beer flights, which two of my colleagues shared and enjoyed trying a variety of beers. One of us ordered the tirokafteri dip to share, and we ended up asking for more pita to finish it. The spicy feta dip was perfectly blended, and I may have to order it again soon. I opted for the kale Caesar salad with grilled chicken added and a side of truffle parm fries. The salad was exactly what I needed and expected. The fries were crispy with just the right amount of umami flavor. Next time, I would ask for the aioli on the side as it appeared a bit gloopy on top. Our server was very friendly and accommodating. I can't wait to go back soon!

Always open on holidays and special occasions right in Downtown Albany when other bars and restaurants are closed. Nice events on Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve especially. Classy place and attentive wait staff.

Came here for lunch on a Friday afternoon during the busy basketball games at the MVP Arena, and I was so thankful that they took reservations. We were sat immediately when we got there, and the lunch menu had plenty of options, including more casual options such as burgers and sandwiches as well as a selection of entrees. Their craft beer selection and cocktail menus are also pretty impressive! For lunch, I opted for the Salmon Burger while my boyfriend ordered the Beer Cheese Burger, both with sweet potato fries. Mine was fantastic, and I loved the pineapple slaw on top. His burger was also delicious and cooked perfectly. The pretzel bun was also a nice touch. Overall, they have great food and drink options and a nice atmosphere, making it a wonderful choice if you're in Downtown Albany!

Visited this place while in town for a work trip and was pleasantly surprised! Ordered the truffle burger and it was delicious. I liked the decor and style inside and mix of high top and regular dining tables. The staff were knowledgeable and friendly and I was happy to see so many vegan options on the menu. There's more space than it appears when you first walk in. There's a larger dining room and bar in the back but it was closed when I visited.

The atmosphere is clean, fun and current. We found the decor to be classy but modern. Our waitress was very skilled and friendly. We were blown away by both the quality and quantity of the portions. Also, love that they do have options for dietary restrictions. My chicken parm sandwich was phenomenal! All the drinks were great too! As an avid Taylor Swift fan I had no choice but to order the lavender haze drink and trust me when I tell you it did not disappoint! If you're in Albany definitely swing by the hollow!

This is my review of the hollow located in Albany, New York. We did go on a late Saturday night with no reservation and we seated immediately. The restaurant has a barn looking feel and the music is low so you can have conversations with company. For appetizers, we have muscles as well as artichoke dip. This was my first time trying muscles and it tasted great. It came with warm bread, a nice creamy sauce and Italian sausage on the side. For entrées, we had the ribeye steak, paella and hot the Tennessee hot with fries. We also ordered brussels sprouts, which was very spicy. This was my first time trying paella and it was a bit too soupy for me so I did end up ordering honey barbecue wings to go. The pricing was reasonable and the customer service was great. Overall I would rate this experience a 6 out of 10.

Had my daughter's baby shower here and it was great! Food was delicious, planning with the help of Dora was smooth and she was so accommodating of special dietary needs. Mike met us at the door and helped carry decorations in for us. The room was setup nicely and we even had the use of the stage to open presents on so everyone could see. I highly recommend The Hollow for your next party.

The Hollow was just OK. This was close to our hotel and had several vegan options, so we decided to give it a try. We ordered a beer cheese burger and a vegan Reuben. The bread on the Reuben was toasted so much you could have broken a tooth trying to bite into it. The insides were good, but getting to them was the challenge. The burger was just OK. Cute atmosphere, but bring a jacket. They had the AC cranking like they were running a morgue. Everyone around us was complaining about it. Service was OK, but nothing to write home about.

I love The Hollow!! I was in the area and stopped in for dinner. I was pleasantly impressed. Hollow is upscale but has a relaxed environment. I loved the decor; it's very cozy in the restaurant area. I was with a larger group and we ordered a lot of food; I was able to try a lot of the food off of the menu and their drinks, too. I loved their salad, chicken, steak, other small plates and dessert. I would definitely come back here again and try more of their entrees. Their other drinks looked delicious too. I highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area. What a great dinner spot!

We just had a private party for 40 here and they really exceeded expectations across the board. The food was fantastic and interesting for a buffet line, the service from the coordinator/server and bartender was really excellent, the beer selection was world class, and it was a cool interesting old building. For food we had chicken parm (really good), a great braised (?) pork dish, a large salad that was artfully presented, and the green beans and asparagus were perfectfully lightly charred, everyone was commenting on them. Only downsides were the unexpected step down into the bar, & chairs up on tables in the unused front bar. They are really well organized for private parties with extensive menus and prices posted online. Very impressed

Visiting Albany and I was looking for a lunch spot with a view of the Hudson. After walking for a couple of miles, I realized no such spot was to be found. Although somewhat desperate, I dispatched any notion of chains like Subway and happened upon this delightful gem. I sat at the bar and the service was fabulous. Quick with a cold beverage and a menu, the bartender was sweet and responsive. I ordered the salmon burger with sweet potato fries. The fries were perfect with a crisp exterior. The salmon patty was much larger than expected and full of flavor. Enjoyed my meal, the service, and the ambiance.

The hollow has a soothing low light feel with warm crowd vibe as soon as you walk in. I sat at the bar and ordered a beer and a burger and both were exactly what I was hoping for!

My husband and I ambled in on a busy Friday night before a show at Empire Live. We were vending. We wanted a quick bite and due to the near location right next door. We chose The Hollow. Upon entering, we chose to sit at their expansive bar, which wrapped around the one wall of the bar area. It's gorgeous, and I really appreciated the roomy bar stools that were padded and upholstered. The staff was quick to set us up with beverages and menus. They were friendly and helpful.

Food was great the chicken was juicy and seasoned very well , service a little relaxed you kinda just sit where ever you want the ambience was amazing live music outside cool bar inside amazing all around . Really good chicken!

Love the food, love the beer selection, and the service is always great. We've taken to eating there before every Siena game as it's within a reasonable walking distance of the MVP Arena. Try their brussel sprouts appetizer - it is phenomenal, and that's from someone who hates brussel sprouts. Good vegan options, too.

f Menu was great. We had a mix of vegan and non vegan in our party and everyone had multiple options. Service was excellent. Noise level low, made it easy to have a conversation. Location near the Palace Theater was an added plus.

Went here on a lunch date. Perfect ! The right amount of public, loved the menu options, & our waitress was amazing. I'd love to visit when they have entertainment. Would love to be a part of that vibe.

Reservation a must eventhough food was just okay, they had steady diners in and out. Receptionist was a bit aloof and hesitantly gave us a vacated table outside seating. Luckily, while it was a Summer day, it had a nice breeze that day so we were able to tolerate the weather. My Negroni was inedible, not the best I had. I ordered it because i had just read an article in in which Anthony Bourdain encouraged his followers to " live life and order a Negroni! " and while i'm a Bourdain fan, I was not a Negroni fan! It was definitely a one off for me! Or maybe, just this place did not live up to the fuzz of a Negroni as Bourdain eloquently described it in his writing. Thus, the 3 stars and that's being generous!

I'm looking for a proper way to analyze the Hollow as I can here on a St Patrick's Day that happened to coincide with a NCAA basketball tournament. I came lake for reservation, but called ahead to let them know I would be late. Went right to voice mail. When I explained to hostess there was little sympathy. She directed me to back bar, but the didn't serve food. Overall, I got little customer service and no food so it's hard to give much of a rating to the restaurant. I do recognize it was a busy day so I'll reserve future recommendations for an upgrade.

I've been meaning to try the hollow for a long time since they have a lot of veg options but not a whole veg menu, which is great for finding something for everyone. Everything was fine - nothing was bad by any stretch, but it also just wasn't great. The vegan nachos were underwhelming, I think some fresh cilantro and melting the cheese more would help a lot. The Nashville hot chicken sandwich had great flavor on the sauce but was really quite small for $15 and was chicken tenders rather than a patty, and so few pickles you couldn't really even notice them. The lavender cocktail was a really big hit - delicious and beautiful. Overall it was good but im not dying to go back but I would recommend if you have a group of folks who are picky about not going to an all vegan place or if you want nice ambiance. Because it was really cute inside, and the servers were very nice.

Spot recommended by my hotel known for its plentiful vegan options. This place definitely did not disappoint located downtown with a friendly ambiance. The food was overall really good. The Brussel sprouts were spicy and full of flavor and the highlight of the meal. Would 100 recommend. The rigatoni pasta was decent but had maybe too many ingredients, it wasn't a cohesive dish in my opinion. The Belgian waffle dessert was good, not too heavy or sweet and was a good end to the meal. There are other items on the menu I'd consider next time I'm around for sure such as the large pretzel.

The family found our way to Albany on the way home from the Adirondacks and Yelp guided us here. (As usual... Yelp knows their stuff.) I wish something as cool as The Hollow existed in my neck of the woods. From the exposed brick to the cool hanging jars/lights to the server with the full sleeves and hands inked up that looked like she was ready to hit a My Chemical Romance reunion show (but couldn't have been any cooler or sweeter) to the very clean (and spacious) bathrooms... this place was spectacular. Risotto of the day - delicious. I've eaten more than a few over the years and this one had new depths and angles that were eye-opening to me and my taste buds. Ribeye steak - I thought it was a bit under but my kid schooled me that it was fine. A huge slab of meat (he marveled at how good the compound butter on top was as well) with plenty of veg and mashed potatoes. Salmon Buddha bowl for the Mrs. - she thought it was great but was overwhelmed with the sheer amount of arugula. Second kid picked from the 'pub menu' (he's got a few years till he can hit a tavern) and was a bit let down that his chicken tenders were just that and no sort of side that came with them. Most excellent beer menu. Surprisingly good pricing all around. (You'd think they could jack up the prices for all the bigwigs that must be swinging into the state's capital all the time.) We loved it.

Waited a half hour for a table past our reservation time. Only to be seated in a back room of the restaurant with tiny bugs flying around us the whole time. Good food, poorly treated with not a great atmosphere.

Kind of bright and loud and the items I saw online that I wanted to order weren't on the menu . I wanted to like it but probably wouldn't go again.

It was our first time there. Had the filet and the short ribs. Delicious!!! Great food, atmosphere, and service. Will definitely be back.

Industrial vibe, super modern & clean. Really great food both times I've been. The service here is very friendly & outgoing. We ate here & had some drinks before watching a live band & the entire experience was amazing.

Great restaurant! We had a meal with a large group and really enjoyed ourselves. The server was very friendly and attentive even though she had our table of 10 and several other tables. It's a really large restaurant, although kind of chopped up in the layout. This actually gave our group some privacy, which was nice. The full bar service includes a very nice craft beer selection on draft and bottles, too. The many is varied and everything we had from apps to salads to meals was excellent! Great dinner spot with great service with a nice vibe. A definite win-win-win!

We've been to the hollow several times now, typically before a show in Albany. Our fav appetizer is the beer cheese which comes with piping hot pretzel bites. It comes with 2 dipping sauces, one being the beer cheese and then a mustard, this seems to switch up as we've had whole grain, and the last was dijon. We also ordered the house chips and dip which are old bay kettle chips with spinach and artichoke dip. we were expecting potato chips, it came out with red/green/white tortilla chips. It was still good, just different that what we expected. On a previous visit I had the maple glazed salmon and it was very good. I'm sure we'll be back, this is a definitely much check out place!

Very popular with some good options. Excellent beer and the red pepper hummus was awesome. Risotto was pretty good (could do with al dente rice) and salmon burger nice. Truffle fries didn't have much truffle flavor and they weren't done well. Overall pretty good and service was good.

I went to The Hollow for a small birthday gathering with a few friends, and we had a blast! It was all of our first times being at the restaurant, and we were immediately greeted by a rustic, warm aesthetic. The staff were very attentive and kind, and the tables had adequate space for social distancing. For our table, we had a reservation and sat in a more intimate space. They have the restaurant partitioned into different areas which allow your table to have its own privacy. Food is delicious--the Salmon Burger was large, and I was full before I finished the meal. Other people at my table ordered the mozzarella cheese appetizer along with other burgers (The Hollow, Surf & Turf, etc.). All meals were VERY reasonably priced for the restaurant. I'd highly recommend this place for anyone looking to dress up but also not spend too much money. Perfect place for a date or intimate dinner party (covid-friendly, of course).

Pardon the poor photos of half-eaten food, I shared everything with 2 friends and it went VERY quickly... Everything we had was incredible! We kept arguing over which of the three was our favorite, but honestly, the mix of all of them was perfection. The sauce on the Brussels is the perfect combo of savory and sweet (I think from maple syrup) and the sausage crumbles added the perfect touch. They had a vegan sausage option as well if needed. The Buddha bowl salad was light and sweet. It would not have filled me up enough as a meal, but was a great addition for sharing. The brisket sandwich was we were deciding between that and the Nashville hot chicken sandwich and the waiter said that the brisket one was his favorite and he definitely did not steer us wrong. YUM. My one qualm was that we all tried to order the blood orange Mojito on the menu and the waiter said that they did not have any more of the blood orange liqueur so they made us pomegranate Mojito's instead. They were yummy, but a little sweeter than my liking and I had been really excited for the blood orange... that definitely will not stop me from returning though!

Back again... I realize I am not a mezcal girl...I think I don't like Smokey. That's okay though because all the things that followed were fantastic... my friend got the brisket and I tried something new... the Tennessee hot chicken sandwich... mmmm so good and the server suggested the garlic Parmesan truffle fries --- so good ... oh dear ... and the accompanying beer the recommended hit the spot. The service was fantastic and I love that their menu has something for everyone... vegan, vegetarian, burger fan, salad lover and surf and turf. Consistently great. Great place before a show or to bring staff for a welcome to the team or farewell meal. They also do a great job with events at the back bar. I will keep coming back here!

It was around 9PM on a Saturday night and I couldn't find one place in Albany that was still serving food until I ventured into Hollow Bar and Kitchen. Albany is a dump, but the Hollow was surprisingly clean and was very nice inside. Anyways, I was really in mood for some chicken wings so I ordered the medium wings. Continuing on this, I was eager to try these wings. When the wings arrived, I dug right in. The wings were juicy and tender, but they could of been a bit more crispy. Along with, the wings were pretty spicy for medium wings, but I liked having that extra kick. Also, the wings were not very big and there could of been more meat on the bone. The wings were solid, but nothing spectacular. In general terms, the Hollow Bar and Kitchen has decent food, but it's not anything amazing.

I love the Hollow; I truly do- so it pains me to write this. I love the wide array of vegan options and I love the interior of the building. I've been a frequent flyer since 2019. However, I feel like I *need* to write this *because* I love the Hollow. After last night, it is clear to me that management needs to change something before someone else gets hurt. As the hostess was walking us to our table last night, there was water on the floor, to which I stepped in and completely wiped out in front of a full dining room of customers. Not once during our meal did we see anyone mop the puddle of water, put up a wet floor sign, nor did anyone come to ask me if I was okay. Unacceptable. If you see a patron slip & fall on water in your establishment, the least you can do is put a wet floor sign up to warn others. Moreover, my dinning partner, discovered something alarming with one of their French fries. Luckily it was one of the last fries on the plate (they were great fries until this point), but the fry in question legitimately tasted like there was bug spray on it. It burned to have in your mouth. Admittedly, we did not bring this to our waitress's attention. At that point, I just wanted to leave; I was humiliated from falling face first in front of everyone. All I'm asking is that in the future, if there is a spill on the floor, management/staff please clean it up so someone else doesn't get hurt.

Great food, cool staff and amazing performance space! We performed there last night and had a wonderful experience. Special shout out to the sound tech, Kate, who was so nice and helped so much! Patronize this fantastic restaurant/bar/ music venue!

If you have nut allergies, avoid. Allergic reaction to nuts in a salad when the menu did not have nuts listed as an ingredient. Went in there for lunch today and ordered a chicken Caesar salad. The menu DID NOT SAY it contained nuts. Had an allergic reaction and my colleague had to call 911. As soon as I took two bites, I asked our server (who, btw was the only one who addressed me) if the salad had nuts. It did. Fortunately someone else at my table had Benadryl. Nut allergies are really common and your menu should clearly indicate what meals contain nuts before someone has another reaction (which can be fatal). I was very fortunate. I should also say that while I was outside waiting for the ambulance and getting evaluated by EMTs, not a single person from the restaurant came out to see if I was alright. The server was the only one who seemed concerned and honestly, he doesn't write the menu and would have no reason to tell me a salad has nuts. After everything, I googled the menu just to make sure I didn't miss anything. Nope, nothing to indicate the salad I ordered had nuts. And the nuts were not obviously nuts. Maybe the dressing or croutons were made with them. Having had a severe nut allergy my entire life, I look for that information when ordering. If you eat here and have food allergies, prepare to gamble with your life.

Real nice food options , beer menu and service. Ambiance is relaxing good for bar or sit down.

The food was above average. We had the grilled salmon and surf and turf burger. The salmon was cooked nicely but the risotto had a flavor combination that didn't work for me. The same with the surf and turf burger. It is shrimp with remoulade sauce on top of the burger. The shrimp was way over seasoned amd along with the remoulade sauce it overwhelmed the taste of the beef. All you tasted was salt and shrimp. Once I removed the shrimp and sauce the burger was very tasty. The service was very good so that is a plus.

I will start out by saying the staff I had contact with for booking the reservation was super friendly and helpful. I will also say this was not a typical dining experience as they were serving a limited menu due to the New Years holiday. While I applaud the effort in making vegan cuisine available on the menu in the Capital District I can't say I was satisfied with the meal or experience. We were seated in an extra area of the restaurant near the restroom and the DJ was setting up for the rest of the holiday evening events. I guess I expected a bit more for decorations, table settings, romantic or warming surrounding. The menu as I said was limited and due to circumstances beyond their control the vegan roasted tomato soup was to be replaced with a cauliflower soup that used a chicken stock base. That pretty much limited our options to the roasted pepper salad. Neither of us would have picked that as our first choice. Next was the main entree. The only vegan option being a seitan steak with baby beets. I know beets normally taste "earthy" but these taste like straight dirt, unwashed. If you are familiar with Seitan you know that it is a dense bread dough. Not really something I would have made into a steak. Halfway into it I was done eating it. I think thats why I am most used to seeing it ground, in strips, or curls. Lastly was the dessert, which they were two options. We each got one of the vegan options. They both sounded creative and different from what we were used to but were actually very underwhelming. With a mixed drink, a draft beer, taxes, and tip we walked out of there $165 lighter and still hungry. I would like to try this place out again on a different night but I am hesitant to try another special event menu there. I do really appreciate the attempt at a vegan option menu as many restaurants in the area don't even offer that at all. So I do not want to discourage them from trying again.

The Hollow. American Tapas. Exquisite Experience. *** This is the best Pallea in the city, hands-down. House made sofrito, saffron rice, mussels, crab, shrimp, scallops, and chorizo accompanied with baguette... whew! So good you'll want more. *** Honestly, it's Perfection! If paella isn't your thing then the surf + turf burger is close second. Would recommend this place over and over again.

Really cool vibe. Very attentive staff. Food was good and drink selection is great. Place was really busy just before a couple of local Saturday night events. Reservation is a must!

Great service and the food was good. The atmosphere was very nice. We would eat here again.

Horrible paella. They really should figure out how to cook one! Would not recommend to come again.

My colleague and I were just here for one night for work and discovered The Hallow Bar & Kitchen. What a great find! The service was wonderful and the food delish! I was so happy to have multiple vegetarian choices. Definitely recommend