The Hudson Valley’s dance culture is an intimate one with venues tucked away in towns all over the region. Unbeknownst to most, the Valley supports a thriving swing scene, fuelled in part by a regularly replenished supply of liberal arts students on both sides of the river. It can be challenging to find the right hangout if you’re visiting, so we’ve put together a list of places you can go to get down.
BSP Kingston
What was once a vaudeville and movie house is now a destination music venue with plenty of room to bust a move. Dance to everything from the spectral tones of CocoRosie to classic rock and roll mixed by DJ Jonathan Toubin. The front room boasts a full bar, but if you can make it to show at their 22,000 square-foot back room theater, you’ll get to party under the stage’s awe-inspiring proscenium.323 Wall Street, Kingston Bspkingston.com
Oasis Cafe
If you’re in search of place to dance deep into the night, Oasis Café, open until 4am, is the place for you. This New York City-style club plays house music Tuesdays and Fridays and has an enormous technicolor light display. Looking to get down to some throwbacks? Thursdays are 90’s night. Cost: $3 at the door ages 21 and up, $5 ages 18-20.58 Main Street, New Paltz Cabaloosa.com
Rosendale Café
Vegetarian café by day, small town dance joint by night. This community hub has performers every weekend and is the perfect place to listen to folk bands like Jesse Lege and Bayou Brew, a Cajun ensemble, or Mama’s Broke, a bluegrass duo with a raw sound. Thursday is salsa night, with lessons from 7:30 to 8:30 and dancing until 10:30. This is the place to go for a soul-nourishing night of movement.434 Main Street, Rosendale Rosendalecafe.com/music
Billy Joe’s Ribworks
If you’re in the Newburgh waterfront area, Billy Joe’s Ribworks is a great place to boogie. There’s a sprawling indoor space and, in warmer months, a wide open waterfront deck. They bring in a DJ three nights per week, and Tuesdays are reserved for line dancing and country music. This is your venue for Texas two-step on a summer night.26 Front Street, Newburgh Ribworks.com
