Welcome to Battle Hymn at Brooklyn’s New Nightclub Refuge

The battle for Friday night clubbing is officially back with the announcement of Ladyfag’s Battle Hymn residency at Refuge — a new high-definition dance club positioned in the creative corridor between East Williamsburg and Bushwick.

Photos by Santiago Felipe

Tucked inside a standalone industrial complex dating to the mid-1800s, Refuge has undergone a full renovation and sound recalibration. The venue’s co-founders have preserved over two centuries of history within its original brick walls and 35-foot ceilings, while optimizing every inch for a world-class listening experience.

Battle Hymn’s new era expands on its nearly decade-long legacy as one of New York’s premier nights for house and dance music, unveiling a powerhouse lineup of resident DJs — @michaelmagnan, @kimanhofficial, @skin_skunkanansie, and @joshsteers — alongside rotating guests including Leonce, Griffin Maxwell Brooks, Sterling Juan Diaz, Rush Davis, Star Amerasu, and more.

“There’s one principle I follow:” explains Refuge co-founder John Dimatteo, “create a club and experience that I want to DJ at, attend, and be proud to invite my peers to. We want people to come on any given night because of the club itself. The experience will always deliver.”.

At Refuge, the ethos is simple: it’s not about who’s who — it’s about becoming one on the dance floor. Phones are discouraged but not policed; there’s no bottle service, no velvet ropes — just serious sound for those who live for it.