Kyiv has a new record store, abo records

There's a new record store in Kyiv called abo records.

Set up in an disused liquor factory on Kudryavska Street in the Ukrainian capital, the new shop is the result of three friends, Amir Hanani, Borys Stepanenko and Oleh Baranovskyi, wanting to fill the gap left by music venues shuttered in the war, Resident Advisor reports.

"The idea to open the store was in our mind for a while... Now, while all our clubs remain closed due to war, we took the plunge," the founders told RA. "We live in truly dark times, but still try to remain optimistic and are happy to see people visiting us and digging into records for hours."

The shop stocks a range of electronic and dance music, including genres like techno, house, trance, disco, funk, soul, downtempo, breaks, tech house and experimental. It's open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4 PM to 9 PM.

"We're expecting less visitors than if Russia hadn't started the war," they said of the challenges of opening a record shop during a war. "Some people from our music circle left Ukraine, some are fighting in a war. Obviously we will have zero tourists from abroad. Also in our new reality, shipping from abroad is more difficult and costly now, due to broken logistic chains."

abo records will be donating a portion of profits to Ukraine's soldiers and volunteers.

Ravers in Ukraine have been coming together to host "clean-up raves" to rebuild homes and community spaces damaged by Russian attacks. Read more here.

See more photos on abo records' Instagram and via RA's story.