Refuge is a 500-capacity venue inside a nearly 200-year-old industrial complex in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, opening next month. The project is led by event producer John Dimatteo and audio engineer Craig "Shorty" Bernabeu, with creative direction from Gregory Horns. The central sound system, REX, is a 10-foot-high, four-point analogue setup with acoustic engineering by Al Fierstein and a booth equipped with custom rotary mixers, hand-built filters and a bespoke console. The club confirmed a Friday residency from Ladyfag and dedicated classic house sessions on Sundays, with plans to expand into additional rooms in early 2026.
At the centre of Refuge is REX, a 10-foot-high, four-point analogue sound system designed by Bernabeu, with acoustic engineering and treament from industry legend Al Fierstein of Acoustilog - the man behind the sound at Studio 54, Paradise Garage and Sound Factory. The booth comes kitted with custom rotary mixers, hand-built filters and a bespoke console, ensuring the sound is as pure and tactile as possible.
Bernabeu describes the REX sound system as "full, relaxed and easy on the ears, with a huge amount of impact," adding that the aim was to build a system that could lift people up, even if they arrive in a low mood. "That's the power of high-fidelity sound done right," he says.
Dimatteo says the mission is simple: to create a venue that DJs want to play, that punters want to return to, and that peers can be proud of. "We want people to come out any night of the week for the club itself, not the lineups" he explains. "The experience will always deliver."
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