New Brooklyn Club Refuge NYC Launches with Underground Focus 

Refuge NYC, a new Brooklyn dance venue, opens this autumn with a series of events featuring Floorplan, DJ Seinfeld, Paranoid London (Live), Stacey Pullen, Antal, Kenny Larkin, and Danilo Plessllow (MCDE), among others.

The club represents a partnership between John Dimatteo and sound system designer Craig ‘Shorty’ Bernabeu, housed within a converted mid-1800s industrial building that sits between East Williamsburg and Bushwick. The pair have reimagined the 500-capacity, 3,200 sq ft space around the core principles of sound quality, spatial design, and dancefloor culture.

At the venue’s heart lies a custom REX analogue sound system: a towering 10-foot, 4-point configuration crafted by Bernabeu, whose previous work includes installations at Nowadays and Analog BKNY. Hand-built amplifiers, bespoke filters, and rotary mixers work together to deliver the kind of warm, full-range sound that remains easy on the ears even during extended sessions.

The space itself has been carefully considered, from the floating Malpe wood dancefloor engineered to absorb impact whilst returning energy, to the custom DJ booth and acoustic treatment by Al Fierstein of Acoustilog (the firm behind Studio 54 and Sound Factory). Original brickwork and 35-foot ceilings preserve the building’s industrial character, whilst Gregory Homs of Sound Factory and The Tunnel fame oversees creative direction. Crucially, the venue faces no residential restrictions, allowing for proper late-night and after-hours programming.

“We’re focusing on serious sounds from a mix of originators who shaped house and techno, DJs defining the NYC underground sound, and European artists developing the conversation on their own terms,” explains Dimatteo.

The launch begins on 21st September with a dual programme: a daytime session featuring Rush Hour’s Antal alongside New York deep house duo Analog Soul and the Razor-N-Tape crew, followed by an intimate evening with DJ Seinfeld’s genre-spanning selections.

From there, Refuge embraces the marathon ethos with its Grand Opening across 27th-28th September, a 24-hour journey led by Detroit techno stalwarts Floorplan and acid house provocateurs Paranoid London (Live), alongside DJ Holographic, Bunker resident Mike Servito, Miss Parker, and Bruno Schmidt.

October’s programme continues the theme: Danilo Plessllow brings his dusty house and disco sounds on 4th October alongside Dam Funk (Live)’s neon-lit boogie, whilst 11th October sees Detroit pioneers Stacey Pullen and Kenny Larkin joined by Heidy P., John Dimatteo, Michelangelo, and Kofman.

True to underground principles, Refuge operates without VIP areas or bottle service. Phones are discouraged, re-entry is permitted, and food and coffee fuel the extended sessions. Programming spans open-to-close events, Sunday day parties, and proper after-hours sessions. It’s a return to uninhibited dance culture in its purest form.

Refuge NYC – Opening Season

21 Sep – Sunday Day Preview Event | 3pm-10pm
Antal
Analog Soul
Razor N Tape

21 Sep – Sunday Night Event | 11pm-4am
DJ Seinfeld

27-28 Sep – Grand Opening Marathon | 10pm-10pm (at least)

Floorplan

Paranoid London (Live)

DJ Holographic

Mike Servito

Bruno Schmidt

Miss Parker

Simon Heyliger

Jacky Sommer

DJ Matpat

Cosmo

4th Oct | 10pm-10am

Danilo Plessllow (MCDE)

Dam Funk (Live)

Lloyd

Oct 11th | 10pm-10am

Stacy Pullen

Kenny Larkin

Heidy P.

John Dimatteo

Michelangelo

Kofman

OCT 18 – 19 | 10PM-3PM

Scott Zacharias

Patrick Russell

Mike Servito

Erika

Derek Plaslaiko

Carlos Souffront

Bryan Kasenic

BMG

Tickets for the opening parties are on sale now at: eventbrite.com Refuge islocated at 360 Ten Eyck Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11206 For more information on Refuge head to: refuge.nyc / @Refuge.NYC

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