The East Williamsburg space, launching in September, is built for dancers, DJs and anyone ready to lose themselves in the frequencies of a ten-foot analog system.

New York nightlife has always been built on temples of sound. From Paradise Garage to The Tunnel, the city’s clubs have been sanctuaries where music transcends the everyday. This September, a new name enters that lineage: Refuge, an audiophile club opening in East Williamsburg, promising to restore the sanctity of the dancefloor at a time when nightlife often feels hijacked by bottle service and Instagram flashes.

 

At the heart of Refuge is REX, a ten-foot-high analog sound system designed by Craig “Shorty” Bernabeu, the engineer behind legendary setups at Nowadays and Analog BKNY. “Every system has a voice,” Shorty says. “Ours is full, relaxed and easy on the ears, with a tremendous amount of impact.” Translation: music that doesn’t just sound good, but feels good.

The venue (a 19th-century industrial building at 360 Ten Eyck Street) has been acoustically tuned by Al Fierstein of Acoustilog (Studio 54, Sound Factory). A floated wood dancefloor keeps bodies comfortable, while the custom DJ booth is fitted with rotary mixers, hand-built filters and consoles designed for precision. Phones are discouraged and velvet ropes are scrapped because ultimately Refuge wants your presence, your sweat and your attention.

 

Programming will lean into that ethos. Expect LadyFag-hosted Fridays, classic house Sundays, and true after-hours sessions running until the city wakes up. International heavyweights will share space with New York underground staples, with art and performance folded into the mix.

Phase one sees a 500-capacity, 3,200-square-foot space, but Refuge is already thinking bigger: by 2026, the compound will expand to unlock new rooms, new experiences, and new possibilities.

 

For co-founder John Dimatteo, the mission is simple: “Create a club and experience I want to DJ at, attend, and be proud to invite my peers to.” With an expansion already set, Refuge is less about one night and more about building a trusted home for the future of New York dance culture.