Garcia’s Chicago, a new concert venue and restaurant, will officially open its doors for its first event on March 21. The 300-capacity venue located in the city’s West Loop neighborhood is operated by Peter Shapiro and Dayglo Presents, in partnership with the Jerry Garcia Family.

Shapiro and Dayglo Presents also operate The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York where the original Garcia’s is located. Multiple Brooklyn Bowl locations, Relix and Jambands.com are also Shapiro/Dayglo ventures.

“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.”

The venue’s 2025 calendar kicks off March 21, 22 and 23 with Grahame Lesh, son of late Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, hosting a trio of Grahame Lesh & Friends shows featuring Daniel Donato and Nicki Bluhm. The legendary The Blind Boys of Alabama will be the second act to play the venue later this month.

April brings a packed schedule featuring LaMP, Dave & Dave of Trampled by Turtles, Keller Williams, and Krasno Moore Project. Later in the month, Octave Cat, Grace Potter, The Grateful String Band, The Travelin’ McCourys, and Joey Alexander will take the Garcia’s Chicago stage.

May highlights include the Sam Grisman Project, Dave Bruzza of Greensky Bluegrass, HARTLISS featuring Brendan Bayliss of Umphrey’s McGee and Jennifer Hartswick of Trey Anastasio Band, and Shitty Limo with Bayliss and his UM bandmate Jake Cinninger. Tom Hamilton of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Artemis, Benmont Tench, BALTHVS, Cris Jacobs Band featuring Luther Dickinson, Hot Buttered Rum (with special guest Allie Kral), and Holly Bowling round out the month.

Summer performances include Drayton Farley, Matteo Mancuso, phoffman of Greensky Bluegrass, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Mikaela Davis, and Town Mountain in June. Later in the summer, JoJo Hermann of Widespread Panic performs in August.

Fall shows feature George Porter Jr. & Runnin Pardners, SUSTO, God Street Wine in September, and Dezron Douglas Quartet in October. The initial offerings conclude with a three-week residency by Dogs In A Pile in November.

“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.’”