Brooklyn's newest club, Refuge, has been open for four months, and every weekend its hi-def soundsystem "sounds a little better than the weekend before." The brainchild of John Dimatteo and Craig "Shorty" Bernabeu, the 3,200 square-foot club is built around a meticulously crafted sound system designed by Bernabeu, who has been building such systems for over 20 years.
Set inside a standalone 19th-century industrial complex between East Williamsburg and Bushwick, Refuge features a private outdoor space that feels more like a home than a club. The building's unique architecture adds to the sense of escape and community that the founders aimed to create. Refuge is about bringing people together through music and dance, rather than just being another event hall.
Since opening in September, Refuge has hosted sets from heavy-hitting artists such as Floorplan, DJ Seinfeld, Kenny Larkin, Sasha, and Victor Calderone. The crowd is defined less by age or scene and more by mindset, with people from different backgrounds and subcultures coming together to share a love for music and good company.
The club's atmosphere is designed to be an escape from the outside world, with a focus on creating a sense of community and connection among patrons. Refuge co-founders John Dimatteo and Craig "Shorty" Bernabeu are committed to continuing to improve the space and its offerings, with plans for daytime shows, additional nights, and artist residencies.
The remodel of the building was a major undertaking, with costs estimated in the thousands. However, the end result is well worth it, with Refuge's hi-def sound system being a key part of its appeal. Every weekend, Shorty Bernabeu continues to tweak and test the system, making sure that every show is better than the last.
In early 2026, Refuge plans to continue building on its success, with improvements to the space and its offerings in the works. With its unique atmosphere and commitment to community, Refuge is poised to become a major player in Brooklyn's nightlife scene.
Set inside a standalone 19th-century industrial complex between East Williamsburg and Bushwick, Refuge features a private outdoor space that feels more like a home than a club. The building's unique architecture adds to the sense of escape and community that the founders aimed to create. Refuge is about bringing people together through music and dance, rather than just being another event hall.
Since opening in September, Refuge has hosted sets from heavy-hitting artists such as Floorplan, DJ Seinfeld, Kenny Larkin, Sasha, and Victor Calderone. The crowd is defined less by age or scene and more by mindset, with people from different backgrounds and subcultures coming together to share a love for music and good company.
The club's atmosphere is designed to be an escape from the outside world, with a focus on creating a sense of community and connection among patrons. Refuge co-founders John Dimatteo and Craig "Shorty" Bernabeu are committed to continuing to improve the space and its offerings, with plans for daytime shows, additional nights, and artist residencies.
The remodel of the building was a major undertaking, with costs estimated in the thousands. However, the end result is well worth it, with Refuge's hi-def sound system being a key part of its appeal. Every weekend, Shorty Bernabeu continues to tweak and test the system, making sure that every show is better than the last.
In early 2026, Refuge plans to continue building on its success, with improvements to the space and its offerings in the works. With its unique atmosphere and commitment to community, Refuge is poised to become a major player in Brooklyn's nightlife scene.
I'm loving how they're creating this vibe where everyone's just vibin' together, no drama or whatever 
the outdoor space feels so chill & inviting - I can imagine some epic parties goin down there 
the fact that they're already thinkin about expandin' with daytime shows & artist residencies is a huge plus, gotta love the community aspect 
they're all about creating that perfect vibe where everyone feels welcome and connected 
i mean, who doesn't love a good escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life? especially when it comes with sick beats 
can't wait for daytime shows and artist residencies, that sounds like a total game-changer 
it feels so intimate but still big enough for everyone to let loose and have fun like, the outdoor space is my fave 
and shorty's sound system is insane!! every time i go, i can feel the energy in that place 
i've met some amazing people there too, it's not just about the music, it's about the community they're trying to build... and i think they're gonna kill it 
. It's got ups and downs, highs and lows, but at the end of the day, it's all about people coming together over something they love. I mean, music, in this case, but you get what I'm saying 
. It's not just about the individual clubs or nights, it's about creating a community that feels like home. And I think that's what we're all striving for in life - to find our own little Refuge from the chaos 
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. It's not about being perfect, it's about getting better with each passing day. And I think that's a great lesson for us all 
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in this crazy city. It's all about vibin' with people from different walks of life, you know? Like, it's not just about the music or the lights, it's about the energy and the connections you make with others 
. And that sound system, man... it's like they're channelling the beat straight into your soul 
! The fact that Shorty Bernabeu is always tweaking and testing it shows that he's all about perfectioning the experience 
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. And that's somethin' to really celebrate 
. But I guess that's the beauty of it – Refuge is bringing people together through music, which is what it's all about, right? The way they've designed this place to feel like a home is genius 
. I'm excited to see what the future holds for Refuge, maybe they'll even bring back some of the old-school vibes 
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. I love that sense of community and acceptance! They should totally make it happen with those daytime shows and artist residencies - I bet it'll be even more amazing 
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. I wonder if they'd be willing to host a charity event or something 
. I mean, it's about time we got a club that doesn't sound like it's still stuck in the 90s lol. Four months in and they're already tweaking their sound system, nice move guys 
. It's all about creating a sense of community and escape from the outside world, right? Because let's be real, who needs personal space anyway? 
. I'm hyped to see what daytime shows and artist residencies they have in store for us 
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. I mean, who needs some fancy tech or trendy decor when you have an awesome sound system and good vibes? 
it's like Shorty Bernabeu is on a mission to outdo himself every time. i'm low-key obsessed with the vibe they've created in that industrial complex - it feels like one big happy family 
the crowd is so eclectic, it's like, what even is your scene anymore?