By Julie Lawrence Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Mar 07, 2010 at 11:37 AM

Local entrepreneurs Bill Lison and Nate Fried are opening Hybrid, a gay bar and lounge at 707 E. Brady St. that will also include a restaurant by April. The owners say they plan to serve progressive and health conscious American food.

"It just makes sense," says Lison. "It's about time for a gay bar on the East Side. The location makes it a great alternative for the gay community. It's where Milwaukee meets."

Although billed as a gay-friendly establishments, both owners say their goal was to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable. The grand opening is scheduled for March 9 beginning at 4 p.m.

The bar is smoke-free.

Julie Lawrence Special to OnMilwaukee.com

OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.

As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”