Brooklyn’s Newest ‘Audiophile’ Club, Refuge, Coming This Fall

A new nightlife venue, Refuge, will open in Brooklyn this autumn, aiming to provide a high-quality auditory experience for music enthusiasts. Co-founded by event producer John Dimatteo and audio engineer Craig “Shorty” Bernabeu, the club is situated in a standalone industrial building in the Williamsburg neighborhood. Bernabeu, known for his work at Nowadays and Montreal’s Stereo, designed the sound system. Al Fierstein of Acoustilog, who has a history of working with renowned clubs like Studio 54 and Paradise Garage, was responsible for the acoustic design.

The club’s creative direction will be overseen by Gregory Horns, a veteran of New York City’s club scene. Refuge, which currently has a capacity of 500, plans to expand in early 2026. While the full schedule of performers is yet to be announced, the club will host Ladyfag for a Friday night series and dedicate its Sunday programming to classic house music.

At the core of the 3,200-square-foot space is its unique, custom-made four-point analog sound system, named REX. This system, engineered by Bernabeu, is complemented by a specially designed DJ booth that includes custom rotary mixers and hand-built filters. According to Bernabeu, the system’s objective is to create a sound that is “full, relaxed and easy on the ears,” distinguishing Refuge from other venues in the city. The co-founders aspire for the club to become a destination where the quality of the experience is the primary draw for guests.

[H/T] Resident Advisor