Garcia’s Chicago is a concert venue and restaurant celebrating Jerry Garcia’s extraordinary legacy, reflecting his heritage, eclectic artistry, and the vibrant community that surrounded him throughout his life.

Jerry Garcia was not just a musician; he was an icon, storyteller, and bridge between worlds. Born in San Francisco to a family deeply rooted in music, Jerry’s artistic journey began early. His father, Joe Garcia, was a jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and bartender; his mother, Ruth, was a pianist; and his grandmother, Tillie, a patron of music, introduced Jerry to the sounds of the Grand Ole Opry and jazz. These influences shaped the course of his life and the enduring output he would leave behind.

Additionally, both of Jerry’s parents were in the bar business. His father, Joe Garcia, owned and operated Joe Garcia’s in San Francisco’s Rincon Hill neighborhood, a lively establishment that became a local staple. After his sudden passing, Jerry’s mother, Ruth, took over the business, eventually renaming it the 400 Club. Jerry spent much of his early life in the bar, surrounded by longshoremen and colorful characters who shaped his early understanding of storytelling, music, and the human experience. At one point in his storied career, Jerry discussed the possibility of opening jazz clubs & bars of his own, places where he could host intimate jams and support up-and-coming musicians. Now that dream is finally being realized in Chicago.

Garcia’s Chicago is the result of the ongoing collaboration between the Garcia Family and Peter Shapiro (the man behind legendary events like the “Fare Thee Well” concerts), alongside his company, Dayglo Presents. Together, they’ve created a space where history, music, and community converge. With creative direction and interior design by Tristam Steinberg (Brooklyn Bowl, Capitol Theatre) and Jesse Lauter (Dayglo Presents), every element of Garcia’s Chicago has been thoughtfully designed to tell a story, embracing the spirit of Jerry and the worlds he inhabited. The venue’s layout and architectural details were brought to life in collaboration with Bob Quellos & fc STUDIO, ensuring that the space is a comfortable and immersive environment for artists and fans alike.

Garcia’s Chicago draws inspiration from the places and moments that defined Jerry’s life. The design marries Californian mid-century modern aesthetics with a psychedelic flair, evoking the radiance of San Francisco in its heyday. The venue’s walls showcase unseen family photos, vintage movie posters, records, books, and even cassettes that once inspired Jerry. This isn’t just a venue; it’s a living, breathing tribute to an artist whose influence transcends generations.

At the heart of Garcia’s is its food and beverage program, an inspired reflection of Jerry’s diverse tastes and life experiences. Developed by the acclaimed team at Lowder-Tascarella Hospitality (LTH)—known for their work at NoMad, The Modern, and award-winning luxury restaurants and hotels globally—the menu brings together flavors from Jerry’s Spanish roots, Northern California upbringing, and love for American comfort food. The kitchen offers approachable, elevated dishes that are as eclectic and adventurous as Jerry’s music with "gentle nods" to his biography. The world-class beverage program features a thoughtful mix of craft cocktails, zero-proof options, and premium wines and beers, created by the LTH cocktail team led by international award-winning mixologist Chris Lowder.

Music is the soul of Garcia’s, and the venue’s programming strives to reflect the breadth and depth of Jerry’s artistic passions. With state-of-the-art acoustics powered by Meyer Sound, a full multitracking and live-streaming setup, and an intimate stage, Garcia’s provides a platform for established legends and emerging talent alike. Whether it’s a night of jazz, jam bands, bluegrass, or world music, every performance at Garcia’s seeks to capture the magic and majesty of live music that Jerry so deeply cherished.

But Garcia’s is more than a venue—it’s a community hub. In the spirit of Jerry’s inclusive philosophy, the space is designed to welcome everyone, from lifelong fans to those discovering his legacy for the first time. Events will range from family-friendly gatherings to artist collaborations and partnerships with local nonprofits, fostering a sense of connection and creativity that resonates far beyond the stage.

This new venture builds on the success of Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre, expanding the concept into an even more elevated experience. It is a labor of love, guided by the Garcia Family’s dedication to authenticity and their commitment to preserving Jerry’s ethos. Every detail—from the psychedelic design elements to the curated playlists—has been intentionally chosen to ensure that Garcia’s is not a shrine, but a dynamic and vibrant celebration and tribute.

Garcia’s is a place to gather, to revel, and to be inspired. Whether you’re here for an unforgettable meal, a transcendent live performance, or simply to soak in the atmosphere, we welcome you to join us. At Garcia’s, the music never stops, and the stories keep unfolding.
 

ABOUT PETER SHAPIRO & DAYGLO PRESENTS
Dayglo Presents is a live music and media company led by independent music impresario Peter Shapiro. Dayglo has owned and operated celebrated venues Brooklyn Bowl (Williamsburg, Las Vegas, Nashville, Philadelphia) The Capitol Theatre, Bearsville Theater, Wetlands Preserve, and LOCKN’ Farm in Arrington, Virginia. Shapiro partnered exclusively with the family of Jerry Garcia to open Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre, followed by an additional club in Chicago. In 2015, he produced Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA and Chicago’s Soldier Field. Shapiro founded Lockn’, a four-day music and camping festival held in Nelson County, Virginia as well as Jazz & Colors, an experiential music event held in Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He originated The Rock and Roll Playhouse, developing the family concert series into a weekly national concert series that takes place in over 30 states across America. In 2024, Peter co-produced the sold out Soulshine Benefit at Madison Square Garden raising money for hurricane relief in North Carolina and Florida. His other endeavors include the IMAX concert films U2 3D and All Access, the Jammys awards show, the Green Apple Earth Day Festival, and Easy Rider Live. Dayglo publishes Relix Magazine, and runs two highly trafficked music websites Relix.com and Jambands.com, and owns digital ad agency Hear & There.

Billboard has selected Shapiro multiple times for its Power 100 List of “Most Influential People in the Music Business.” Shapiro sits on the board of a number of civic and charitable organizations, including: New York Public Radio, City Parks Foundation and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. Peter also is a member of the Rock Hall’s nominating committee. In 2019, he was named Chairman of HeadCount, one of the leading youth voter engagement and participation organizations in America.

ABOUT JERRY GARCIA & JERRY GARCIA FAMILY LLC
Jerry Garcia (1942-1995) created an unparalleled legacy across the American landscape, most notably in his role as a founding member, singer, songwriter and lead guitarist of the Grateful Dead. Garcia’s unmistakable guitar tone enchanted multitudes of “Deadheads” throughout the band’s 30-year career and beyond. His work with the Jerry Garcia Band, Old and in the Way, Legion of Mary, Garcia/Grisman and projects with Merl Saunders only scratch at the surface of his musical influences as he set out to master the Great American Songbook. Unequivocally devoted to the craft of music, Garcia continues to inspire future generations through the body of work he has left behind and his creative spirit.

Jerry Garcia Family, LLC stewards the legacy of Jerry Garcia. It is led by Trixie Garcia and includes additional family members Annabelle and Heather Garcia, as well as Sunshine Kesey and the estate of his brother, Tiff.

ABOUT TRISTAM STEINBERG
Tristam Steinberg is a designer and builder of environments for the world’s leading brands. He strives to create evocative and immersive spatial designs, which rely on the influence of mood and provenance to showcase a brand’s personality. Whether it’s in the still world of print advertising, in motion on film, or in the tangible reality of a restaurant or live event, Tristam understands how the history of art & design sets the tone for new and compelling customer experiences. Recent clients have included Maison Margiela, Acne Studios and Ralph Lauren. He was also instrumental behind the creative vision for the Brooklyn Bowls and the Capitol Theatre.

ABOUT LOWDER-TASCARELLA HOSPITALITY GROUP
Lowder-Tascarella Hospitality (LTH) was founded and is operated by global industry veterans Jeffrey Tascarella and Christopher Lowder. LTH partners with world-class restaurant, bar, and hotel brands to achieve excellence at scale, by connecting them with both the perspective and experience of award-winning operators. LTH delivers best-in-class hospitality concepts and solutions that are custom-built for ever-shifting markets, challenges, and opportunities. Co-founder Christopher Lowder built globally-recognized beverage programs in some of the world’s most challenging markets, including China, South Korea, and New York. His previous consulting teams placed 2–4 venues in the World’s 50 Best Bars every year, and 5–8 venues in Asia’s 50 Best Bars every year from 2017-2022. No other beverage consulting team on Earth has ever achieved this level of sustained, consolidated excellence. Co-founder Jeffrey Tascarella most recently served as chief operating officer of Make It Nice, the acclaimed group behind Eleven Madison Park, the three-Michelin starred New York City institution and Managing Partner of NoMad – the award-winning hotels, restaurants, and bars with locations in New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and London.

ABOUT THE TEAM
Garcia’s Chicago has also been made possible by Marc Allan (Red Light Management- Jerry Garcia Family LLC), Michael Berg & Deep Cut (Booking), Bob Quellos & FC Studio (Architects), Ryan Yeager & Matt Tritt (Greenlight Consulting- Owner’s Rep), Builtech LLC (General Contractor), Kirk Peterson (Booking- Dayglo), Jesse Lauter (Project Manager/Creative Team, Head of Production & Media- Dayglo), Jordan Goldstein (General Counsel- Dayglo), TJ Bachmeyer (General Manager- Garcia’s Chicago), Tim Warner (Operations- Garcia’s Chicago), Rachel Baron (Head of Venue Operations- Dayglo), Christopher Moody (SVP of Business and Finance- Dayglo), Stephen Grybowksi (VP of Marketing- Dayglo), Brad Tucker (VP of Business Development- Dayglo), Corinne Guglielmo (Creative Director- Dayglo), Sarah Graber (HR & Admin Director- Dayglo), Chef Abram Bissell (F&B Consultant- Lowder Tascarella), Chef Isaac Gellis (Chef Consultant- Lowder Tascarella), Chef Mark Welker (F&B Consultant- Lowder Tascarella), Brandon Lataveer (Project Manager- Lowder Tascerlla), Versus Creative (Social Media Marketing), Josh Baron (Ticketing), Kim Kozak (Production Manager- Garcia’s Chicago), and Anthony Nittoli & Masque Sound (AV Systems Integration).