Dissipative dark sectors can give rise to the formation of astrophysical dark compact objects (DarkCOs) and black holes. In this talk I will present some past and ongoing research in the formation of these objects as well as their observable prospects. I will first show how the microphysics of the underlying dark matter model can be imprinted on the macroscopic properties of the compact structures they form, in both standard and exotic cosmologies. I will also present ongoing studies on compact objects made of atomic dark matter. Finally, I will demonstrate how one can search for DarkCOs if their constituent particles interact with the Standard Model photon and also discuss current work on DarkCOs lensing gravitational waves.