Garcia’s Chicago, a 300-capacity concert venue and restaurant celebrating Jerry Garcia’s extraordinary legacy, will opened March 21st, 2025, in the heart of the West Loop, one of Chicago’s hottest neighborhoods. This new venture is the latest from Peter Shapiro and Dayglo Presents (Brooklyn Bowl, The Capitol Theatre, Bearsville Theater, etc) in partnership with the Jerry Garcia Family. The venue honors the lead guitarist, vocalist, and co-founder of the Grateful Dead’s eclectic artistry and heritage, drawing from his Spanish roots and Northern Californian upbringing, as well as his deep connections to Jazz, Americana, and World Music. Dubbed “one of Chicago’s most anticipated openings of 2025” (Eater), Garcia’s Chicago isn’t just a venue; it’s a living, breathing tribute to an artist whose influence transcends generations.
THE MENU, DEVELOPED BY ELEVEN MADISON PARK, NOMAD AND THE MODERN ALUMS, LOWDER-TASCARELLA HOSPITALITY GROUP CO-FOUNDERS CULINARY DESTINATION AND VENUE OPENED MARCH 21ST, 2025
Tuesday, March 25th: Garcia’s Chicago, the new venue celebrating Jerry Garcia’s legacy, which opened March 21st, is a culinary destination.
The world-class food and beverage program is an inspired reflection of Jerry’s diverse tastes and life and was developed by the acclaimed team at Lowder-Tascarella Hospitality Group — alumni of Eleven Madison Park, The NoMad, and The Modern. Founded and operated by industry veterans Jeffrey Tascarella and Christopher Lowder with culinary leadership from acclaimed Chef Abram Bissell, LTH crafts memorable destinations and elevates guest experiences at award-winning luxury restaurants and hotels globally.
The Garcia’s Chicago menu combines flavors from Jerry’s Spanish roots, Northern California upbringing (“Spain meets San Francisco”), and Jerry’s love for American comfort food. The kitchen, led by Executive Chef and proud Chicago native Ivy Carthen, offers approachable, elevated dishes that are as eclectic and adventurous as Jerry’s music with “gentle nods” to his biography.
“I believe every great venue tells a story, and Garcia’s is one that resonates deeply with me,” Jeffrey Tascarella said. “We’re honored to be given the opportunity to collaborate on such a special venue. I know Jerry would have dug it.”
“Food brings people together on many different levels,” Chef Ivy Carthen said. “It’s nourishment for the soul and body; it’s truly love. And that’s what Jerry’s music is all about and what I strive to do with the food at Garcia’s.”
“I’m thrilled to be supporting the opening of Garcia’s Chicago, crafting a culinary program inspired by Jerry Garcia’s rich history and passions,” Chef Abram Bissell said. “From his love of classic Americana to the eclectic flavors that shaped his journey, we’re bringing a menu that celebrates his spirit in a way that’s both nostalgic and unexpected.”
Garcia’s Chicago not only honors Jerry but his family history as well — both of Jerry’s parents were musicians and in the bar business. His father, Joe Garcia, owned and operated a bar in San Francisco, and Jerry’s mother, Ruth, took it over after his passing. Later in his life, Jerry discussed the possibility of opening a club of his own, where he could host intimate jams and support up-and-coming musicians. Now, that dream is finally being realized in Chicago.
“Our venue reflects the things that Jerry loves – his connection to tradition, his spirit of exploration, and his appreciation for good, honest experiences,” said Shapiro. “This is a place where Jerry’s essence is felt, not forced – a tribute to his life, without reducing him to a caricature. It’s celebrating the man behind the music, in a space that honors his spirit with respect, thoughtfulness, and creativity.”
“Our father had envisioned a space where he could be off the road and close to home- a place he was going to call ‘Casa Garcia,’” said Trixie Garcia. “The idea was to create a live music club with a comfortable atmosphere for artists and guests. A place where Jerry could get his musical fix without going on the road. In that spirit, we are pleased to collaborate with Pete Shapiro on the opening of ‘Garcia’s’ where together we will build community, create memories and, above all else, make music! We invite you to relax and enjoy our version of ‘third space.’”
From the video channel of Nunupics Zomot
On nights that there isn’t a ticketed show, foodies can make a reservation for the restaurant on RESY here: https://resy.com/cities/chicago-il/venues/garcias-chicago?seats=2&date=2025-03-24
With stunning dishware from East Fork (with a style reminiscent of famous ceramics company Heath, which was founded in Jerry’s beloved Marin County in the late 50s), the Garcia’s Chicago menu highlights include:
• Jerry’s Roast Beef Sandwich – Thin-sliced prime rib, provolone, onion rings, horseradish, au jus, Dutch crunch roll. Jerry’s long-time road manager, “Big Steve” Parish, insisted Jerry’s favorite sandwich be part of the menu.
• “Clown Alley” Smashburger – The works, special sauce, sesame bun. Named after Jerry’s favorite late-night burger joint in San Francisco (now defunct).
• Captain Olsen’s Conserva – Tuna in olive oil, smoked salmon and mackerel with chili crisp, olive oil crackers, parsley sauce, olives, and marcona almonds. Named after Jerry’s sea-faring great-grandfather, the dish features tinned fish from Fishwife, a woman-founded company that ethically sources its fish from Galicia, Spain—the region of Jerry’s ancestry.
• Mother Earth Burger – Chickpeas, black beans, red pepper aioli, Brussels slaw, sesame bun. For the plant-based enthusiasts and named after a Jerry Garcia/Merl Saunders deep cut, “Save Mother Earth.”
• Strawberry & Vanilla Shake – Roasted strawberry swirl, vanilla sugar cookie. Justin Kreutzmann (director and son of Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann) once saw Jerry drinking both a vanilla and a strawberry shake before a show. Jerry’s famous response: “That’s the beauty of being a rock star. You don’t have to choose.”
• Coffee provided by Graffeo, San Francisco’s oldest roastery. Based in North Beach, a neighborhood Jerry frequented, and founded only a few years before his birth.
The first-rate 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 award-winning mixologist Chris Lowder.
“Building the bar program at Garcia’s was such an exciting journey for our team,” said Chris Lowder. “Naturally, it’s a tremendous responsibility to reach the right tone between honoring the legacy of this legendary icon – balancing authenticity, storytelling, creativity, and fun, all through the lens of delicious cocktails. In the end, we had a blast honoring Jerry’s story, with cocktails highlighting his roots, family, personality, and life journey. I can’t wait for Chicago to come to the bar, have a cocktail, and share in our celebration of Jerry Garcia.”
Just like Jerry Garcia’s music, the Garcia’s Chicago drink menu is all about bold flavors, eclectic styles, and a personal touch. Inspiration was drawn from five key phases of Jerry’s life: his Galician roots, the Appalachian spirit, the creative buzz of San Francisco, the mystique of Egypt, and the chill of Hawaii. Each cocktail serves up a story in a glass with innovative flavor combos that respect history and experimentation.
From the video channel of Shannon G
Garcia’s Chicago Beverage Highlights Include:
• Mission in the Rain – A play on Ranch Water, the unofficial cocktail of the West, this drink takes Blanco tequila, passionfruit, ancho chili, lime, and soda, and makes a case for why simplicity is often the best move. It’s bright, it’s fresh, and it’s got just the right amount of spice—like San Francisco itself, it doesn’t demand your attention, but it sure as hell earns it. If you’ve ever walked through San Francisco’s Mission District in the rain, you get it. The city is a character in Jerry’s story—his birthplace, his artistic home, the place that shaped his sound. Mission in the Rain is a drink built for that kind of moment—simple, direct, and deeply satisfying.
• Russian Lullaby – Toasted oat Irish whiskey, rich crème de cacao, malted milk ball cordial, coffee stout reduction, and a touch of vanilla. It’s like dessert in a glass, bringing out your inner kid, but with a little extra punch. Yoo-hoo Chocolate Milk was one of Jerry’s favorite drinks. He also was known to enjoy a White Russian to calm his nerves before a show. Russian Lullaby takes that nostalgic chocolate drink and kicks it up a notch for grown-ups.
• Midnight Moonlight – An elevated nitro espresso martini on draft that’s dark, mysterious, and just a bit magical—like a moonlit jam session. Blending cold brew coffee with cherry and chocolate makes for a cocktail that hits the spot. It’s got vodka, cherry liqueur, creme de cacao, and a sprinkle of sour cherry cocoa dust. Perfect for those late-night vibes when you’re ready to chase the moon.
| Garcia’s Chicago is the latest venture from Peter Shapiro and Dayglo Presents (Brooklyn Bowl, The Capitol Theatre, Bearsville Theater, Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead, etc) in partnership with the Jerry Garcia Family. The venue honors the lead guitarist, vocalist, and co-founder of the Grateful Dead’s eclectic artistry and heritage, drawing from his Spanish roots and Northern Californian upbringing, as well as his deep connections to Jazz, Americana, and World Music. Garcia’s Chicago isn’t just a venue; it’s a living, breathing tribute to an artist whose influence transcends generations. |
| ABOUT LOWDER-TASCARELLA HOSPITALITY GROUPLowder-Tascarella Hospitality (LTH) partners with world-class restaurant, bar, and hotel brands to achieve excellence at scale by uniting award-winning operational expertise, creative development, and forward-thinking strategy. Founded and operated by global industry veterans Jeffrey Tascarella and Christopher Lowder with culinary leadership from acclaimed Chef Abram Bissell, LTH crafts memorable destinations and elevates guest experiences across diverse markets. From its offices in New York and Bangkok, LTH consistently delivers best-in-class hospitality concepts and solutions in the American and Asia-Pacific markets. For inquiries or to learn more about our group, please visit www.lt-hospitality.com. Chris Lowder is recognized as one of the world’s leading bar consultants, he has built globally celebrated beverage programs across China, New York, Thailand, South Korea, and the Caribbean. Before founding LTH, Chris was a Mandarin |
“This isn’t a shrine, it’s a real living musical endeavor and it’s going to have a life of its own,” says Jerry Garcia’s daughter Trixie, about Garica’s Chicago, the new venue and culinary destination celebrating Jerry Garcia’s life and legacy in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
This weekend, the venue opened with three nights of Grahame Lesh (son of Grateful Dead founding member Phil Lesh) & Friends with special guests Daniel Donato and Nicki Bluhm. Read more via the Chicago Sun-Times, which reports that Garcia’s Chicago was “worth the wait.”
Bold-faced names in attendance included:
*Trixie Garcia, Jerry Garcia’s Daughter
*Billy Reid, Fashion Designer
*Ben Lovett, Mumford and Sons
*Ted Dwane, Mumford and Sons
*Marcus King, The Marcus King Band
*Andy Frasco, Andy Frasco & The U.N.
*Brendan Bayliss, Umphrey’s McGee
*Glenn Kotche, Wilco Drummer
*Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Secretary of State
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