Delaware Water Gap is known as the gateway to the Poconos. It’s a charming town full of so many things to see and do but they are also known for their music scene. Join Deanna and the PTN team as they visit the legendary Deer Head Inn, the oldest continuously running jazz club in the country.

Deanna sat with Mary Carrig, co-owner of the Deer Head Inn, which is a family run and family-owned business since the 40’s.

Mary told her, “In the 50’s, is really when it became noted as a jazz club. It used to be a place where musicians would come late in the evening after they finished up their gigs at places like Mount Airy and other resorts in the area and they would come and jam here until the wee hours of the morning.”

Deanna asked Mary, “What inside you said Hey, I think we should buy the place?(“We” being her brother Denny and their father/son business partners)

Mary responded, “It was back in 2002 during the jazz festival. We were sitting on the hill talking about the Deer Head. I had found out it was for sale, and we just looked across the street and said oh it just needs a little face lift, it needs this, it needs that. Fast forward because at that point the time wasn’t right for me but three years later, here we are and now it’s been almost twenty years.

The Inn has ten rooms upstairs and Mary told Deanna, “We have two suites and eight other rooms. Each of the rooms are furnished with unique furniture and there is one bed in each room. Some have a king size bed, a queen, or a full-size bed in some of the smaller rooms”

Deanna shared, ”I love the uniqueness of the Deer Head Inn. You get amazing food, you have good music, and you can just walk right upstairs if you’re staying over, you don’t have to go anywhere else to have a great experience.”

After checking out the Inn and talking with Mary about the business, it was time for a talk with executive chef, Ian Carrig, to find out what happens in the kitchen.

Deanna asked Ian to tell us a little bit about the menu and the creations he comes up with.

Ian responded, “We do a pretty eclectic menu. I would describe it as Rustic American.”  Ian pulls inspirations from all over the world, which is where the eclectic part comes in, places like “France, Italy, but also Japan is very influential. Anywhere that has good food, really” he told her.

Deanna then had the honor of sitting with renowned jazz musician and drummer, Bill Goodwin, who told her, he started his career professionally at the age of 17 in Los Angeles and ended up coming to Poconos because of an invitation to come visit from his friend and music legend, Bob Dorough. He shared, “One night Bob says to me we’re going out to this local bar, they have a piano player, that’s all he said. The piano player comes out, it’s Johnny Coates Jr., who I had never heard of in my life. He comes out and starts playing, I look over at Bob and say just a piano player, this man’s a genius, fantastic. Just blew my mind. I moved and started living out here in January of 1970, just playing and freelancing in New York but hanging out at the Deer Head all the time. If I wasn’t working, I was here hanging out at the Deer Head and sitting in with Johnny Coates, it was a lot of fun.” 

Bill still frequents the stage from time to time so if you’re lucky you will get the opportunity to see him play as well as so many other talented musicians, that come to the Deer Head. It is a stage that has been graced by legends and will continue to share the musical talent of every musician that comes to jam out and share their gift.

With its combination of great food, live music and convenient accommodations, the Deer Head Inn is the perfect spot for a relaxing getaway or a fun night out and don’t forget all the other things to check out in the Delaware Water Gap. You can visit many shops and eateries, explore the history of the town, get in some great hiking on The Appalachian Trail, get out on the river, and check out the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. There is so much for you to explore!

Make sure to add the Deer Head Inn and Delaware Water Gap to your itinerary, for your next trip to the Poconos!