Jeff Daniels, acclaimed actor and musician, is partnering with the Tannin Property Group to open a new restaurant and music venue in his hometown, Chelsea, in Spring 2026.
When Aaron Vermeulen and Roy Farmer of the Tannin Property Group first approached Daniels in 2023, Daniels was hesitant to attach his name to “just another restaurant,” said his daughter-in-law, Amanda Daniels. Amanda serves as the venue director and talent buyer for the Daniels’ new project. Jeff Daniels and his family wanted to use this new opportunity as a way to uplift the arts community of Chelsea, much like he did with The Purple Rose Theatre in 1991. This time, instead of acting, Daniels decided to share his and his family’s other passion with Chelsea: music.
JD’s Stage Bistro will be a combination music venue and bistro. The 130-seat venue section will be a listening room with a full bar serving food and cocktails throughout the show. “We want [the experience] to be less ‘sit down and watch,’ and more ‘enjoy your time and listen,’ Amanda said of the intended relaxed atmosphere. If you can’t make a show or simply want to visit another time, you can join them in the bistro section. Here, they’ll have a wood-fired pizza oven along with a full bar and delicious menu. In their sub-basement, several private event spaces will also be available to book.
The Daniels family is thrilled to curate such an impressive music venue. They aim to feature many different types of performance, with a particular emphasis on stripped-down sets that serve to enhance the casual ambience. Viewers can expect acoustic and jazz sets, singer-songwriters, or even late-night pianists and lofi DJs.
Amanda explained that, because the family are musicians themselves, they are hoping to create the kind of experience they appreciate while on tour…