For the past month, one of the Hudson Valley’s most iconic record stores has been welcoming customers into a brand new atmosphere. Darkside Records in Poughkeepsie, founded in 2011, opened its new glass doors on November 21, 2025. In its infancy, Darkside Records was located on Main Street in Poughkeepsie, before moving to 611 Dutchess Turnpike, where it lived for nearly a decade.
Darkside’s new place, located at 32 Cannon Street in Poughkeepsie, will be the shop’s forever home. Besides already being a destination store for locals and tourists alike, this new location contains a multitude of features. For local music fans, this is literally music to their ears.
The building was remodeled with the help of Kirchhoff Companies, Northridge Painting, as well as other subcontractors. The perfectly zany paint detailing is complete with a black and white chevron ceiling, golden molding, and an abundance of Darkside’s signature lime green. It features a glass-covered well in the floor, which, with the help of the world blackest paint, looks like it descends into oblivion. Even the bathrooms are individually themed.
The first floor of the building contains the store’s immense vinyl record collection. Collectors of every genre are sure to find something new to spin in these bins. On this floor, shoppers can also find band merch and other fun items like action figures and mystery boxes. This floor even has a tap wall, just opposite of the checkout counter.
After taking a stroll up the stairs, curious patrons will enter the first section of the second floor, containing a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf complete with a reading nook. While many bookstores are complemented by a cafe, this cozy corner is accompanied by a full bar. While not yet open, the bar is fully integrated into the second floor of the shop. It is intended to open upon the receival of a liquor license. Past the bar, the next section of the floor houses CDs, movies, and video games. The tall ceilings make the room feel especially spacious, and the sheer amount of merchandise is incredible.
The last section of the second floor contains the live event space. Yes, that’s right, this completely decked out record store also has a dedicated event space. The space is complete with a full stage, line array speakers, stage lighting, and room for a decently sized audience. The space is slated to open in January 2026, lining up with the timing of Darkside Records’ 15th anniversary.
While the Hudson Valley does have quite a strong local music scene, it has also seen its fair share of venue closures. For example, The Chance Theater, a popular Poughkeepsie venue, had its last concert in the fall of 2023. The Chance was a small but iconic concert venue that hosted household name artists such as, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Paramore, My Chemical Romance, and more. The new venue within Darkside Records may be a beacon of hope for concertgoers in Po-Town.
The new location marks the start of a new chapter for Darkside Records in Poughkeepsie. With all the amenities the store contains, avid music fans and curious tourists alike are sure to find something to love.
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