Cary’s Lounge, a longtime neighborhood dive bar, is preparing for new ownership at 2251 W. Devon Ave. in Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood.
The ownership transition comes after more than five decades of family operation, according to Block Club Chicago. Former owner Pete Valavanis announced the sale of the business to Christina Kirts, general manager of Beat Kitchen. Cary’s had been listed for sale since March 2025, and the transition is expected to be completed by the end of the summer. While customers can expect new ownership, Kirts has said preserving the bar’s character and legacy remains a priority.
The Valavanis family first purchased Cary’s Lounge in 1972, when Pete Valavanis’ parents took over the business. Valavanis grew up around the bar and continued helping operate it after his father died in 1989. He officially became the owner in 2005 and remained at the helm after his mother died in 2012. The family’s connection to the business spans more than 50 years.
Over the decades, Cary’s has built a reputation as a neighborhood gathering place known for its regular customers, live music, pool tables, and resident cat, Mel. Staff members have remained largely consistent over the years, contributing to the bar’s close-knit atmosphere. The business has undergone only modest updates, including the addition of a beer garden, new countertops, and replacement coolers. Live music programming was introduced several years ago and later expanded.
Located along Devon Avenue in Chicago’s Little India neighborhood, Cary’s occupies a unique place within the community. Valavanis told Block Club Chicago that the bar is one of the few establishments of its kind along Devon Avenue. He noted that attracting customers often required more effort than in neighborhoods with a higher concentration of bars and nightlife venues.
Valavanis said a heart attack several years ago played a role in his decision to step away from the business, prompting him to reevaluate how he wanted to spend his time. Although ownership is changing, he does not plan to disappear entirely from Cary’s and expects to host bingo nights or occasionally work as a guest bartender. Mel the bar cat will also remain at Cary’s, with both Valavanis and Kirts emphasizing the importance of preserving the traditions and community that have defined the business for decades.
