The Founders of Brooklyn’s Newest Club Refuge Say Every Weekend, Its Hi-Def Soundsystem ‘Sounds a Little Better Than the Weekend Before’

When John Dimatteo and Craig “Shorty” Bernabeu announced the opening of a new nightclub in Brooklyn last August, they promised nothing less than a “sanctuary for electronic music,” which is why they called their space Refuge.

Set inside a standalone 19th-century industrial complex between East Williamsburg and Bushwick, the 3,200 square-foot, 500-capacity club is built around a meticulously crafted high-definition soundsystem that serves as Refuge’s literal and figurative beating heart. The system was designed by Bernabeu, who’s been building such soundsystems for more than 20 years, most notably at New York clubs including Nowadays and Analog BKNY and the legendary Stereo Montreal. Dimatteo, meanwhile, is a longtime New York promoter and event producer.

Since the pair opened the doors of Refuge this past September, the space has hosted sets from a crew of heavyhitting artists including Floorplan, DJ Seinfeld, Kenny Larkin, Sasha and Victor Calderone, the latter two of whom played sets on New Years Eve and New Year’s Day, respectively. And with Refuge now entering its fourth month, Dimatteo and Bernabeu say they’ll soon unveil daytime shows and additional nights, along with artist residencies.

Speaking to Billboard via email, Dimatteo and Bernabeu here reflect on the first four months of Refuge.

What’s been the vibe in the club been like since you opened in September? Has there been anything surprising in terms of community response or who’s been showing up?

The biggest surprise has been how fast the room found its rhythm. You never really know until you open the doors. The crowd has been mixed in the best way. You’ve got younger kids discovering real analog sound for the first time standing next to people who’ve been going out in New York for decades. You see people wander the room, find their spot, feel it. And they’re actually dancing. Nobody’s filming. That’s been really encouraging. More and more we hear people say they’ll come back no matter who is playing. That means a lot.

What atmosphere are you working to create at Refuge?

Refuge is about escape. Once you’re inside, the outside world falls away. The music leads, the energy lifts and the goal is simple — people smiling on the dancefloor. The building adds to that feeling: a rare, freestanding 19th-century structure tucked behind an old industrial complex, with a private outdoor space that feels more like a home than a club. At the heart of it, we wanted to bring back the edge and unpredictability that defined New York nightlife, paired with sound quality on another level.

How is the club different from other current nightlife spaces in the city?

In New York right now, most clubs are talent-first. Every night it’s a different promoter or a different headliner and the space itself becomes just another event hall. We didn’t want that. Refuge is built so the club is the headliner. We handle bookings ourselves, and even when we bring in collectives we love, those shows are co-produced. The vibe stays consistent, the identity stays Refuge and people will come because they know the night delivers, not just because of a name on the flyer.

Who’s your target clientele?

Our crowd is defined less by age or scene and more by mindset. Refuge is for people who are tired of the free-for-all warehouses and the commercial nightlife circuit. The dancefloor is open to anyone who shares a love for music and a proper party, and the goal is to bring together different ages, backgrounds, and subcultures under one roof. Ideally, a night at Refuge means meeting someone you wouldn’t have crossed paths with otherwise.

What was the rough cost of the remodel, and what elements of the space are you most excited about?

We built the club around the sound system, not the other way around. A big part of the project was bringing the building fully up to code — electrical, plumbing, and all the core infrastructure. To give a sense of scale, you could have opened a bar with the cost of the electrical work alone. We were in good hands with our contractor. His father built the original Studio 54. To top it off, we put in a floating wood dance floor, built for marathon sessions so people can keep moving all night.

Is there anything happening at Refuge in early 2026 that you’re particularly excited about?

Early 2026 is really about continuing to build the house. We’re always improving the room. We added a custom DJ booth that finally feels like it was born with the space, and we just debuted a performance stage that doubles as a dancefloor platform when it’s not in use. Shorty is upgrading the system almost daily. He’s constantly tweaking and testing. Every weekend it sounds a little better than the weekend before.