New soundsystem-focused venue, Refuge, to open in New York next month

A new venue is set to open in New York next month. 

Established by US dance music veteran John Dimatteo and sound expert Craig ‘Shorty’ Bernabeu, Refuge will open its doors for the first time this September in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 

The venue's focal point will be its custom-made, 10-foot high, four point analogue soundsystem, nicknamed "REX". The system will be engineered by co-founder Bernabeu — who served as a major influence behind Floating Points' Sunflower Soundsystem, and worked on systems for Nowadays, Analog BKNY and Montreal's Stereo.

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“Every soundsystem has a ‘voice’ and ours is full, relaxed and easy on the ears, with a tremendous amount of impact," says Bernabeu. "Refuge fills a gap in NYC nightlife. The sound doesn’t just play music — it lifts people up, even if they walk in not feeling great. That’s the power of high-fidelity sound done right.”

Located on Ten Eyck Street, the 3,200 square foot, 500-capacity venue is housed within an industrial complex that dates back to the mid-1800s — complete with its original brick walls and 35 foot ceilings.

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While preserving the original structure of the building, Refuge has received extensive acoustic and sound design from Al Fierstein of Acoustilog, who has worked on iconic NYC institutions such as Studio 54 and Paradise Garage.

“There’s one principle I follow; create a club and experience that I want to attend myself and that I’m proud to invite my peers to," says Dimatteo. "We want people to come on any given night because of the club and vibe which was created after many years of both running and attending clubs and parties around the world."

Taking photos inside the venue is said to "discouraged, but not policed".

For more information on Refuge, click here.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter