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About Refuge Event Space

Storefront with colorful decorative frame around large window and door, clear glass with 'Refuge Event Space' logo, and surrounded by green leaves from a tree overhead.

Refuge is the capital district’s premiere space for intimate events

We invite you to use the space at Refuge to come together in community to gather, to celebrate, to learn, to connect, to plan, and to live life fully.

As you step through the blue velvet curtains at the front entrance of Refuge, let your shoulders drop and your guard down. You are free to be your full self here.

To be a refuge in a community is to be a space that celebrates full expression of self, successes, and the joyful milestones and memories of life.

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Refuge was designed with elegant finishings and lush touches with unique lighting to set the mood for any occasion. Our interior design merges the simple elegance of clean cream walls and brushed nickel finishes with pops of rich jewel tones and dimmable lights in all zones to create a vibrant space that feels intimate and celebratory.

Our private enclosed outdoor courtyard inspired by the courtyards of New Orleans is one of the few outdoor spaces available for events in Troy enclosed by warm red brick buildings and full of flowering trees, plants, festive lights, and seating areas arranged for conversation and connection. Easy parking makes our space a rare find in the heart of downtown Troy.

 
 
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Refuge offers many different indoor and outdoor gathering spaces and amenities to meet all your event needs.

A green upholstered armchair in front of a forest background with tree trunks and foliage, with a blurred hand holding a flower in the foreground.
Interior room with jungle-themed wallpaper resembling a forest scene with tall trees and sunlight, complemented by a teal velvet sofa and a side table with a flower.

Our main gathering room features a small ballroom that can easily be transformed in a variety of layouts.

This space boasts 16’ ceilings, a small, well-appointed kitchenette and serving area, and a cozy loft space to make the vibe just right. 

An empty room with hardwood floors, two windows with curtains, and colorful LED lighting. The ceiling has a reflective black section with purple LED lights along the edges, and there are ceiling fans. There is a small table near the wall with curtains and some decorations.
Room decorated with starry night ceiling lights, featuring a disco ball hanging from the ceiling, with cozy furniture and pillows on a couch.
Kitchen with open shelving displaying dishes, glasses, and colorful cups, a small black table, and a stainless steel refrigerator, with hardwood floors and a modern ceiling light fixture.

A charming 1,000ft enclosed courtyard is between the main building and the carriage house. Warm edison bubs lighting, seat areas, and flowering tress create an inviting atmosphere.

Outdoor patio with wicker sofas, blue cushions, colorful chairs, umbrellas, cherry blossom tree, string lights, brick walls, and a red door.
Outdoor patio dining area with tables, chairs, umbrellas, and table settings, surrounded by green trees and a brick and wooden fence.

Refuge is more than a gathering space, it is a destination.

Empty outdoor patio with metal chairs and tables in front of a storefront with on the window a sign that reads 'Refuge Event Space', hanging flower baskets, a tree, and flower bed with white and purple flowers.
Outdoor backyard decorated for a celebration with tables, chairs, and a blue and white archway with flowers, surrounded by green trees and brick walls.

Community Agreements

⁕ We host events that are held with positive intent; no racist, homophobic, transphobic, ageist, ableist, fatphobic, or any other type of discriminatory event will be allowed at Refuge.

⁕ We ask that you respect Refuge as if it were your own home — it is our home and we open the space to you.

⁕ We ask that you respect our neighbors and the surrounding community; we like our neighbors and we hope you do too.

⁕ We agree to support local businesses by offering recommendations in the Troy area.

⁕ We love the environment and pledge to not have any styrofoam, glitter, or any other harmful materials at the events we host.

⁕ We are always looking for ways that we can do better in the community through our guidelines and our environmental practices, we welcome feedback!

Close-up of a yellow textured surface.
A woman with wavy blonde hair wearing a black dress and multiple gold necklaces, sitting on a blue outdoor sofa, holding a glass of drink, with greenery and a pink wall in the background.

Tara, our Chatelaine
(AKA Keeper of the Keys)

Tara Rainstrom has long been revered for her creativity and deeply loving and skilled way of bringing people together. Tara grew up in Cambridge, NY, eventually settling for many years in Albany’s Lark Street area where she immediately felt a sense of home - and most recently, making her way to Troy to realize her vision for Refuge. She has a unique knack for designing creative events and gathering experiences.

Tara has been organizing events for over 30 years ranging from conferences, fundraisers, outdoor music concerts, weddings, showers, proms, birthday parties, community gatherings, workshops, classes & more. Tara puts a new shimmer on the old adage “hostess with the mostess.” Come and experience the magic for yourself!