Deadheads Rejoice: Jerry Garcia’s New Venue Finally Opens in Chicago

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During Jerry Garcia’s lifetime, while the Grateful Dead were consistently touring, their renowned singer and guitarist had a vision: A personal venue he could appreciate when off the road. Almost three decades after his passing, this long-held dream has ultimately materialized.

The West Loop neighborhood’s 300-seat concert venue and restaurant known as Garcia’s, which was initially proposed in 2019, will finally open its doors this coming Friday, six years later. This venture is a collaboration between the estate of Garcia and Peter Shapiro, a seasoned concert promoter who has owned Brooklyn Bowl and Capitol Theatre, and famously promoted the Dead’s renowned Fare Thee Well concerts in 2015.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Shapiro stated that Chicago boasts numerous fantastic venues such as the Metro, the Vic, and the Riviera. However, he emphasized that what the city lacks is something unique. He expressed his belief that this new venue will stand out as a fresh type of performance space in one of America’s renowned music cities.

Suitingly, the initial band performing at Garcia’s will be Grahame Lesh and Friends, led by Phil Lesh, the late Grateful Dead bassist’s son. This venue is expected to draw crowds of dedicated fans known as deadheads, who are among music’s most devoted fanbases. However, it would be misleading to label Garcia’s as a Grateful Dead museum. The interior lacks the “steal your face” logos or vibrant dancing bears that are typically associated with the band. Instead, according to Jerry Garcia’s daughter Trixie Garcia, the aim was to establish a venue that embodies Garcia’s personality, passions, and the music he cherished.

According to Garcia’s daughter Trixie, who collaborated with Shapiro in establishing the venue, Jerry strongly disliked idolatry, deification, and any form of glorification of himself. He was a genuine individual. This place isn’t intended to be a shrine; instead, it represents a vibrant musical undertaking that will develop independently and have its own unique existence.

Shapiro reveals that Garcia’s venue will feature live performances by bands playing genres cherished by Garcia, such as bluegrass, jazz, folk, and rock. (You can find the complete schedule of upcoming shows on Garcia’s website.) “Absolutely, we’ll include the Grateful Dead tunes, they’re the essence,” Shapiro says. “However, our aim is to offer a diverse range of events.” Meanwhile, Shapiro describes the food as an upscale dining experience reminiscent of dishes Garcia enjoyed, including Mission Street hot dogs and milkshakes for dessert.

Back in 2013, I got a taste of something special at the Lobby Bar inside the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York – it was a precursor to what would become Garcia’s, a project more than a decade in the making. Jerry Garcia himself had always held a soft spot for this venue, and so it felt fitting to bring his spirit there. Fast forward to 2019, my team and I made the decision to establish a unique, custom-made venue right here in Chicago. It’s been an incredible journey to finally bring this dream to life.

Shapiro and Trixie admit that Chicago might not be an immediate choice over San Francisco, being the Grateful Dead’s hometown, but they explain their attraction to the city lies in the band’s substantial fanbase in the area. Shapiro underscores the band’s connection to Chicago by mentioning their final concert took place there a month before Garcia’s passing and emphasizing the rich history the band shares with the city.

Trixie expresses her preference for events in San Francisco because she adores the city,” she says. “However, considering Pete’s history and the fact that Chicago is central to the nation, with numerous fans both locally and on the Eastern seaboard, I also find this location appealing.

According to Shapiro, he attended school in Chicago, married a woman from the same city, and had a life-altering experience at a concert at Rosemont Horizon in Chicago. He was instrumental in organizing the Fare Thee Well shows at Soldier Field. He understood the market’s potential well because it was where Jerry performed last, and the last time all four surviving members played together was also at Soldier Field.

As a gamer, I’ve found myself in a smaller venue like Garcia’s, where the economics aren’t always smooth sailing. Shapiro, on the other hand, mentions that big promoters such as AEG and Live Nation have been focusing on establishing bigger theater-style venues – like the Brooklyn Paramount in New York and The Pinnacle in Nashville – over the past year. He’s hopeful that by combining Garcia’s iconic brand and music with top-notch cuisine, we can create a one-of-a-kind experience that keeps the demand high.

The event Garcia almost didn’t materialize. It was initially planned and announced in 2019, but the intended schedule was disrupted by 2020 due to the global halt in live music during the pandemic. Shapiro shared that their landlord had advised them to persevere, but as COVID-19 restrictions eased, they received an astronomical rent bill amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Shapiro expresses that some of the debt was waived, yet the remaining amount was still substantial. He contemplated not paying at all or continuing with the payments. ‘I recall the instance when I opted to persist,’ Shapiro recounts. ‘We were buying ice cream with my children at a Dairy Queen in South Haven, Michigan, roughly around Labor Day 2023. The moment stands out to me. I was on the fence about it. We’d need a significant check for rent and other expenses. I thought, “Why not, let’s go for it.”‘

As a fan, I’m blown away by how Trixie puts it: “It’s astounding that the music industry made it through the pandemic.” She has faith in Pete Shapiro, believing he was the one to steer us through the storm and keep our beloved venue thriving. In her words, “Pete Shapiro is a miracle worker. He’s our hero in many tough situations.” We’ve trusted him since the rainbows appeared at the reunion.

A significant factor fueling Shapiro’s determination to realize Garcia’s vision was the unique character of the location. He referred to the structure as a “rare gem” or “unicorn,” praising its exceptional acoustics and highlighting a key feature: the absence of columns, which ensures unobstructed views for concertgoers.

I realized that letting go of this location meant I’d never discover another place quite like it within the West Loop of Chicago, full-stop,” he admits. “It was clear to me that this unique space would continuously linger in my thoughts.

Shapiro is thrilled that the venue will soon begin hosting events, but he’s still nervous because the process has taken much longer than initially anticipated to reach this point. Nevertheless, Garcia’s is now open, providing a fresh location to honor Shapiro’s legacy.

As a devoted admirer, I’ve shared the profound impact Jerry has had on countless individuals for nearly three decades since his passing. It’s my mission to convey that endearing essence he embodied, offering solace and joy to music enthusiasts everywhere. In this role, Peter and I are privileged to bring our father’s vision, Casa Garcia, to life.

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2025-03-21 19:25