It's been a busy summer for Bill Hall and Evan Barnes, two college friends who miraculously transformed a Bay View sports bar called Maynard's into a retro atomic lounge named Evan's in a mere 30 days.

Lucky for Hall, who bought the Kinnickinnic Avenue building in mid-July, the place was in excellent mechanical shape, allowing the partners -- with the help of numerous local talents -- to quietly start pouring last week.

"We're still in a state of transformation," says Hall, 35, who worked in real estate prior to opening the bar. (Barnes worked at the Hi-Hat and has managed bars for almost 15 years.) "But there's definitely a light at the end of the tunnel."

Light is a very important aspect of the new lounge. The owners spent a couple grand on vintage lighting from the '50s and '60s, and they also project slide images of mermaids on the walls, a nod to a nautical-themed bar called The Bay that occupied the space in the '20s.

Plus, according to Hall, the absence or presence of natural light greatly affects the atmosphere.

"The bar almost has two identities. When the sun is out, you see the mural and the chairs, but when it gets dark, the (mermaid) projections come up and the mural recesses and the whole place takes on another feel."

In the '50s, the building housed the original De Marini's restaurant, and during the restoration process, the owners, builders and designers (which include Jeff Heun, designer Cami Cregar and muralist Leslie Worth) were committed to keeping the old school supper club vibe alive. This was especially important so older patrons, as well as Bay View's new generation, would feel comfortable in the space and appreciate its retro-ness, even if for different reasons.

"We've already had customers here from the old De Marini's, and they love it," say Hall.

Evan's features an extensive martini menu -- all priced at $7 -- and focuses on local micro brews and upscale wines and liqueurs. Within the next six months, appetizers will be available and even further down the road, Hall hopes to open a bistro in the building's remaining space.

Although neither partner lives in Bay View -- Hall lives on the South Side and Barnes is an East Sider -- they chose to open their bar in Bay View because they liked the neighborhood, wanted to be a part of the area's redevelopment and thought bars like the Cactus Club and Palomino were headed in the right direction.

"The neighborhood's been extremely supportive and thrilled to see what we're doing here," says Hall. "We feel a strong camaraderie with other bars in the area."

Evan's, 2988 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., is open from 5 p.m. to close, Tuesday-Saturday; noon to close on Sunday (Yes, they will air Packers games.)