New Music Venue and Restaurant to Open in West Loop
A new music venue and restaurant paying tribute to Jerry Garcia is scheduled to open in Chicago's West Loop. The establishment will add to the dining and live music options in the growing downtown neighborhood.
- The venue is named Garcia's Chicago and is located at 1001 W Washington Boulevard in the West Loop. It is a project from independent music entrepreneur Peter Shapiro and his company Dayglo Presents, in partnership with the Jerry Garcia Family. - Shapiro is a noted concert promoter who previously produced the Grateful Dead's "Fare Thee Well" 50th-anniversary shows at Soldier Field in 2015 and owns several other acclaimed venues, including the Brooklyn Bowl locations and The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York. - The 300-capacity venue is scheduled to open on March 21, 2025, with a three-night series of concerts by Grahame Lesh, son of Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh. - The food and beverage program is managed by the Lowder-Tascarella Hospitality Group, known for their work with The NoMad and The Modern. The menu, described as "Spain meets San Francisco," is led by Chicago native Executive Chef Ivy Carthen. - The concept is a tribute to Jerry Garcia's legacy, drawing inspiration from his Spanish roots and Northern Californian upbringing, as well as his connections to Jazz, Americana, and World Music. - The venue will be equipped with a state-of-the-art Yamaha DM7 sound console, a complete multitracking system to record performances, and 4K live-streaming capabilities. - The initial 2025 performance calendar includes a diverse lineup of artists such as Grace Potter, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Keller Williams, and Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. - According to Jerry Garcia's daughter, Trixie Garcia, her father had envisioned opening his own intimate music club, which he planned to call 'Casa Garcia,' providing a space for him to play and support other musicians off the road.
