Music in the Hudson Valley: Navigating New York’s Vibrant Music Venues

Explore the vibrant musical landscape of the Hudson Valley with an array of venues offering unique music experiences. From dance-filled nights to repurposed factories hosting eclectic performances, each spot contributes to the Hudson Valley region’s diverse music scene.

From just south of Albany, flowing all the way through Westchester, here’s a curated selection of standout venues, each adding it’s own distinct flavor to the Hudson Valley’s musical tapestry. Be sure to check out our look at venues in New York City, Central New York, Southern Tier, Western New York, the Berkshires and North Country as well.

Ashokan Center (Olivebridge)

The Ashokan Center is an independent music & nature nonprofit established in 2008 that is not only education, open to hosting public community events, but also music and dance camps, as well as a Winter and Summer Hoot – short for hootenanny.

Address: 477 Beaverkill Rd, Olivebridge, 12461

Website

Avalon Lounge (Catskill)

Gear up for a night of dancing at Avalon Lounge! Its dynamic lighting and dance club atmosphere set the stage for unforgettable performances by both up-and-coming and beloved Hudson Valley artists.

Address: 29 Church St, Catskill, 12414

Website

Avalon Lounge, Alon Koppel

Bardavon (Poughkeepsie)

One of the oldest continuously operating theaters in New York State, and one of the oldest in the country, Bardavon was built in 1869 and served as a community performing arts center until 1923, then as a cinema and home for vaudeville until 1975, before reopening as a general performing arts facility in 1976.

Address: 35 Market St, Poughkeepsie, 12601

Website

photo by Mickey Deneher

Basilica Hudson (Hudson)

Basilica Hudson, housed in a repurposed factory, stands as a haven for artists. With a blend of industrial and pastoral aesthetics, this venue hosts concerts, art shows, and movie screenings, fostering a unique and environmentally responsible space.

Address: Basilica Hudson, 110 Front St, Hudson, 12534

Website

BeanRunner Café (Peekskill)

For a delightful mix of community acts and delectable bites, BeanRunner Café in Peekskill is the place to be for local music and fare.

Address: 201 S Division St, Peekskill, 10566

Website

Bearsville Theatre (Woodstock)

Originally built by Albert Grossman and opened in 1970, the historic recording studio and destination venue remains a special place where artists can rehearse for tours, record audio and/org video, and perform in an intimate, acoustic setting. The venue has been revitalized in recent years by new owner, Lizzie Vann, who has restored the theater and grounds, making great investments to preserve decades of music history while continuing to keep the tradition alive.

Address: 291 Tinker St, Woodstock, 12498

Website

photo by Em Walis

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Founded on Yasgur’s Farm, site of the historic 1969 Woodstock music festival, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts opened in 2006 with the New York Philharmonic performing on opening night. An on-site museum, exploring Woodstock and the culture of the 1960s, opened in June 2008.

Address: 200 Hurd Rd, Bethel, 12720

Website

Photo courtesy of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

Big Cat (Kingston)

Located on the shores of the Rondout Creek, this DIY space in downtown Kingston is obscure and hosts occasional shows, shared only to the venue’s Instagram.

Address: 428 Abeel St, Kingston, 12401

Website

The Capitol Theatre & Garcia’s (Port Chester)

An iconic rock ‘n’ roll venue, The Capitol Theatre, steeped in history, continues to host spectacular performances. For a more laid-back experience, explore Garcia’s, the venue’s bar location with pre and post shows, as well as stand-alone nights of music as well!

Address: 149 Westchester Ave, Port Chester, 10573

Website

The Capitol Theatre – photo by Steve Malinski

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts (Katonah)

A destination for exceptional music, captivating programs, spectacular gardens and grounds, and wonderful moments with friends and family, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is a not-for-profit organization, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Through innovative and diverse musical performances, Caramoor has a mission to mentor young professional musicians and provide educational programs for young children centered around music.

Address: 149 Girdle Ridge Rd, Katonah, 10536

Website

City Winery Hudson Valley (Montgomery)

City Winery Hudson Valley offers not only captivating musical acts but also an extensive wine list. Enjoy brunch or evening performances featuring renowned names amidst a winery setting.

Address: 23 Factory St, Montgomery, 12549

Website

Photo By Al Pereira

The Colony (Woodstock)

Originally a hotel built in the 1920s, The Colony in Woodstock combines vintage charm with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, providing an unforgettable experience.

Address: 22 Rock City Rd, Woodstock, 12498

Website

Daryl’s House (Pawling)

Experience the casual, intimate setting of Daryl’s House, known from the series Live From Daryl’s House. Enjoy beers, camaraderie, and live jamming sessions.

Address: 130 NY-22, Pawling, 12564

Website

Elysium Furnace Works (Poughkeepsie)

Co-led by Mike Faloon and James Keepnews, Elysium Furnace Works is a cooperative project that seeks to present the work of upcoming artists in dedicated art-focused settings. While not exclusive to live music, EFW primarily works through live music venues at 19th century VBI Theatre, part of the Hudson Valley’s Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center.

Address: 12 Vassar Street in Poughkeepsie, 12601

Website

Emelin Theatre for Performing Arts (Mamaroneck)

Bringing Broadway magic to the Hudson Valley, Emelin Theatre hosts stage productions, bands, comedy groups, and dance troupes in a large, versatile venue.

Address: 153 Library Ln, Mamaroneck, 10543

Website

The Falcon (Marlboro)

With a breathtaking view of Marlboro Falls, The Falcon offers both incredible scenery and exceptional music. Indulge in dinner and a show in its spacious dining room.

Address: 1348 Rte 9W, Marlboro, 12542

Website

The Falcon, Poughkeepsie Journal

Gardiner Brewing Company-Gardiner

Featuring live music every weekend, Gardiner Brewing Company is farmer-owned and operated, opening its doors in Fall 2018. Founded by the 5th generation of the Wright’s Farm family, the brewery is focused on using the ingredients they grow to make delicious, seasonal beers. The Barn at Gardiner Brewing hosts live music every Saturday night, nearly year-round.

Address: 699 NY-208, Gardiner, 12525

Website

Hudson Hall (Hudson)

Hudson Hall is located on the site of New York State’s oldest surviving theater. After being abandoned for decades, local citizens came together in 1992 to save the building and establish a cultural center, reopening the first ground floor rooms in 1998, and completed a $9.5 million restoration of its magnificent performance hall in 2017.

Address: 327 Warren St, Hudson, 12534

Website

The Jazz Forum (Tarrytown)

Jazz enthusiasts will find paradise at The Jazz Forum, hosting incredible musicians in a classy dinner-party atmosphere.

Address: 1 Dixon Ln, Tarrytown, 10591

Website

Joe & Joe’s (Pearl River)

For over 80 years and 4 generations, the Longobardo family continues the tradition of old school Italian American cooking in Pearl River, originally having started in the Bronx. Great for those who love live music and delicious food.

Address: 65 E Central Ave, Pearl River, 10965

Website

Last Chance Tavern (Tannersville)

Decorated with hanging musical instruments and antiques, Last Chance Tavern is a full service restaurant, antique store, and gourmet shop with delicious cheeses and beers, plus great live music each week.

Address: 6009 Main St, Tannersville, 12485

Website

Levon Helm Studios (Woodstock)

Known as “the barn,” Levon Helm Studios, designed by the legendary drummer, offers an acoustically perfect venue for near-religious live music experiences.

Address: 160 Plochmann Ln, Woodstock, 12498

Website

The Local (Saugerties)

Opened in 2023, The Local is housed in a former Dutch chapel built in the 1800s, restored as a space for arts, culture, and community. Owners Isabel Soffer and Danny Melnick are also co-founders of Hudson Valley Live and bring more than 30 years to producing festivals, concerts, and curated arts experiences to the venue.

Address: 16 John St, Saugerties, 12477

Website

Maureen’s Jazz Cellar (Nyack)

Honoring the late jazz vocalist Maureen Budway, this venue in Nyack captivates with excellent jazz, complemented by delectable food and drinks.

Address: 2 N Broadway, Nyack, 10960

Website

Olive’s (Nyack)

Olive’s isn’t just the longest operating bar in the town of Nyack, but also boasts a great deal of live music throughout the year, with an emphasis on the local indie scene. Described as “trendy, hip, indie, and above all attitude free but well behaved,” Olive’s serves great food from Marianne Olive’s garden, as well as great veggie and vegan options.

Address: 118 Main Street, Nyack 10960

Website

Paramount Hudson Valley (Peekskill)

Originally a 1500-seat movie palace built by Publix Pictures, a subsidiary of Paramount Pictures, the Peekskill Paramount Theater first opened in June of 1930. Now named Paramount Hudson Valley and is managed by Paramount Hudson Valley Arts, the group has a goal of making this landmark theater a destination for the very best of live music and performing arts.

Address: 1008 Brown St, Peekskill, 10566

Website

photo by Steve Malinski

Quinn’s (Beacon)

Located in downtown Beacon, Quinn’s has a wide array of live music performances, including weekly jazz sessions, along with great ramen, sakes, and even greater bar fare at this diamond in the rough venue.

Address: 330 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508

Website

Resorts World Catskills (Monticello)

Nestled among the beauty of the Catskill Mountains, Resorts World Catskills offers an unmatched experience in excitement, entertainment, and luxury, bringing tribute acts, DJs and national artists to venues and bars inside.

Address: 888 Resorts World Dr, Monticello, 12701

Website

Rosendale Theater (Rosendale)

The Rosendale Theatre is an independently owned venue, and a regional and national gem. of its kind. It is a gem, not only in the region, but nationally and internationally. Originally opened in 1905 as the Rosendale Casino, by the 1930s, a stage was installed for live vaudeville and burlesque acts. Films and live theatre can be found these days in Rosendale.

Address: 408 Main St, Rosendale, 12472

Website

The Silk Factory (Newburgh)

Silk Factory is located in the heart of historic Newburgh, in a former factory from 1910, where silk thread was once made. Now a music venue, event space, restaurant and much more is found here in Newburgh.

Address: 299 Washington St, Newburgh, 12550

Website

Snug Harbor (New Paltz)

The best dive bar in all of New Paltz, Snug Harbor – A.K.A. Snugs – is open daily from 12pm-4am and features live music from local and touring bands, with shows going late thanks to being on the cusp of the SUNY New Paltz campus.

Address: 38 Main St, New Paltz, 12561

Website

photo by Tony Adamis

Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center (Chester)

Originally known as the Lycian Center for the Performing Arts, The Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center is surrounded by eight acres of beautiful mountain and lake views, with a capacity of nearly 700 seats, bringing in summer concert series, international touring acts, educational programs and much more.

Address: 1351 Kings Hwy, Sugar Loaf, 10918

Website

Tarrytown Music Hall (Tarrytown)

Built in 1885 by chocolate magnate William L Wallace, Tarrytown Music Hall opened during Tarrytown’s “Millionaire’s Colony” era when prominent families resided in the town and gathered at the Music Hall for its lavish balls, flower shows and concerts. Tarrytown Music Hall is the oldest theater in Westchester County and one of the finest examples of Queen Anne decorative brickwork in the county. 

Address: 13 Main St Floor 2, Tarrytown, 10591

Website

Tin Barn Brewing (Chester)

Founded in 2015 by a local father-daughter team, Tin Barn Brewing has two locations – in the Hudson Valley town of Chester, and the Finger Lakes city of Dundee, near Watkins Glens. A farm brewery specializing in some of the juiciest IPA’s in New England, a “Friday Night Acoustic Series” runs from January to March 2024, featuring some of the area’s finest singers, songwriters & duos, with a new stage and lighting for a more personal feeling.

Address: 62 Kings Highway Bypass Chester, 10918

Website

The Towne Crier (Beacon)

A mainstay of the Hudson Valley since 1972, this former stagecoach stop in the hamlet of Beekmanville was relocated first to Pawling and is now located in Beacon. The Towne Crier welcomes a great deal of world-class talent, and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022.

Address: 379 Main St, Beacon, 12508

Website

photo by Mickey Deneher

Tubbys (Kingston)

A neighborhood bar with food from Junebug’s Good Cookin’, Tubbys has a killer mezcal selection, natural wine, cocktails, rotating drafts, and fresh cans. Live music on occasion with sounds leaning to the left of the center. Expect cumbia, country, disco, and everything in between on the turntable.

Address: 586 Broadway, Kingston, 12401

Website

Ulster Performing Arts Center (Kingston)

Originally the Broadway Theater and Community Theatre, Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) was build in 1926 and one of only three pre-World War II theaters in the Hudson Valley. Today, UPAC is operated by Bardavon Theatre, with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic calling the exquisite acoustics of the proscenium theater, home.

Address: 601 Broadway, Kingston, 12401

Website

photo by Em Walis

Uncle Cheefs (Brewster)

In eastern Putnam County, you’ll find live music every Wednesday through Sunday at Uncle Cheefs, in a perfectly lit room decorated with love and built to achieve the finest in acoustics. With a multi-cam video system and state of the art in house multi-track recording studio, you’ll love the music live and reliving them later on thanks for Uncle Cheefs.

Address: 88 NY-22 Unit C, Brewster 10509

Website

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