Penn’s Peak is one of the largest music venues in the Pocono Mountains. From amazing concerts to exciting events, delicious food, and breathtaking views, there’s truly something for everyone… and maybe even a little love in the air.

PTN Host, Deanna Fontanez, recently had the chance to take a tour of this iconic mountaintop venue and sit down with Venue Manager Michael Cloeren, who offered an inside look at what makes Penn’s Peak such a special place for both guests and artists.

“I think what makes it special for our guests is from the first step that they walk in and they've never been here the jaws drop,” Michael explained. “They look inside the venue. They look around, and they know something special is going to happen here.” And it’s hard not to be impressed. When customers come to Penn’s Peak or to Roadies Restaurant, they often make their way out to both the lower and upper decks to take in a 50-mile panoramic view on a clear day.

Michael emphasized that one of the venue’s biggest strengths is its diversity in programming. “Besides 90 national concerts in the evening, we do fun deck parties in the summer and the fall, we do upwards of 25 of them,” he said. Penn’s Peak is also known for hosting weddings. “For the past 20 years, we have upwards of 15 weddings a year.”

His connection to the venue runs even deeper on a personal level. “I met my wife here, about eight years ago. I invited her to a concert here in 2019,” he shared. “My wife being a passionate music fan, we shared so much in common that from that first invite to Penn’s Peak… and I’m happy to say, June of 2023, we were married right here.”

Love and music make a great combination and at Penn’s Peak, you never know where you’ll find it. From rock and country to blues and tribute bands, there’s something for every music fan. “There’s always something for everybody, whether it’s an outside event or an evening event. There’s not a bad seat in the house,” said Cloeren.

Walking through the venue, the walls tell their own story. “Throughout all these great walls at Penn’s Peak, we have literally hundreds and hundreds of signed posters from the artists that have performed here,” he explained. “From Roadies Restaurant to the green rooms, everything is signed. And our job for the artist is to make them feel at home. We try to give them a home away from home because we know their job. We know the crew’s job. We know what the band’s job is. And we want to try to give them amenities so they can do it. They can hang out. They don’t have to go to a hotel. It’s a partnership between the venue and the artist and if we do our job, it’ll show on the performance on that stage.”

The tour continued into Roadies Restaurant, Penn’s Peak’s in-house dining option. Cloeren explained, “Once you’re here for an evening of seeing a show, there’s no need to go anywhere else. We have it all in-house.” He also shared why the venue’s deck parties are so popular and important to the community. “The deck parties at Penn’s Peak is another amenity that we’re very, very excited about. We start them right after Memorial Day and we go until the end of October. It’s so important to the community because it’s free. No cover charge. It’s really a good way of getting your friends together, ‘Let’s go out for a deck party.’”

And it’s truly a place for all ages. “Penn’s Peak were all ages. From very little ones to the very, very adult customers,” Cloeren said. “And the best in regional entertainment.” Now in its third decade, Penn’s Peak has become a generational tradition. “What’s great now is, since we’re over twenty years, it’s another generation. Think of it, so the grandparents bring their kids, and the kids bring their kids. So, it’s a generational, community, family atmosphere.”

It’s where music, memories, and mountain views come together for an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re here for the food, the show, or just the vibes, one thing’s for sure you’ll definitely be back.