Angelo's Piano Lounge, an iconic East Side piano lounge that opened 35 years ago, will once again change hands. However, the name, the vibe and the decor will stay the same.
Angelo Martellano opened the bar in 1985. Martellano ran the lounge until he retired in 2015 at which time Nate Fried took over the space and restored the interior. At the time, Fried was also the owner of Hybrid, located on the corner of Van Buren and Brady Streets.
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Sadly, Martellano passed away in 2016 and was unable to witness the continuing success of his lounge as well as the release of "An Evening At Angelos," a documentary by Kara Mulrooney.
Fried says the past 10 years owning Hybrid and Angelo's have been a great experience enriched by family, friends and music, but he is ready to move on from the bar business to focus on other things.
Angelo's current employees Joe O'Keeffe and Sean Oroni are in the process of purchasing the business.
"They know Angelo's inside and out and will keep it the way it is, which is great for everyone, because when the whole place is drinking and singing it's absolutely the best place to be," says Fried.
Angelo's is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. It will not close during the transition of ownership.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
