ITHACA, NY (CortacaToday) — Having opened in 2022, Deep Dive has created quite a reputation for itself in the short amount of time it’s been open.

Owner T.J. Schaper was no stranger to the venue before purchasing it and used to play it frequently. A graduate of Ithaca College and heavily involved in the music scene in Ithaca, Schaper is familiar with the rich history music has in Ithaca and the importance it holds for the community.

The name is one that expresses the sentiment of the venue. Taking a deep dive into a variety of music genres and cultivating a sense of togetherness for all who enter is at the foundation for Deep Dive.

“Community is a verb, it’s something you do,” says Schaper. “We want to prioritize peacekeeping behavior and nightlife here and to authentically create a space that’s welcoming for everyone,” says his business partner Mike Enyeart.

Deep Dive has become a place for people to learn and discover music they might not have before. From Honky Tonk Sundays to Punk Rock Happy Hour and everything in between, it is a place that allows those who enter to expand their horizons.

“It’s not just a 21 plus bar for people to go get drinks, it’s a place for young people to learn. We include educational components where we can, younger musicians have the opportunity to perform with and learn from more experienced musicians and experiment with different kinds of music,” Schaper says about creating a learning environment.

Owning and running a bar and venue is not an easy job on its own, and it becomes especially difficult when external pressures come into play. The Range, another venue and bar that was located on the Ithaca Commons, closed in early August of this year.

“There are market corrections going on right now in the music industry as a whole. The pressure is indicative of Ithaca changing broadly, but we know that Ithaca has a specific culture and character that the music scene has a lot to do with. We want to try and preserve the history that was made before us and acknowledge that things are vulnerable,” Enyeart says.

Both Schaper and Enyeart were in Ithaca as students and know firsthand how important it is to have live music venues that provide much needed shows and experiences for those looking for them. Both of their first times owning a venue, the learning curve proves to be challenging, but worth it to do what they do at Deep Dive.

“We both have a shared philosophy of being passionate about quality live music and have a reverence for the town and the culture here. That’s something we want to be able to protect,” Schaper says about their partnership.

This Thursday, 9/12, is the second anniversary of Deep Dive’s opening. Ghost-Note, which were among the first musicians to perform at the venue the month it opened, will be performing at the celebration. Be sure to take a look at Deep Dive’s schedule and find more performances to try, play a round of pool, or enjoy a late-night snack from Babe’s Burger.