The Neighborhood Refuge

Spirit Filled

Every desert has an oasis. The Neighborhood Refuge is the oasis of Ridgefield. The venue began life as a traditional church, complete with stained-glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and dark woods. Although much of the vibe has been retained, it carries a different spirit now. Instead of pews, guests lounge in plush leather chairs and sip elixirs summoned from an ornate, vintage wood bar.

Neighborhood Refuge isn’t just a watering hole—they serve food as well. Shareable finger foods, called “Bites,” range from savory to healthy. Larger plates include sandwiches, sliders, and the obligatory burger. There are also four salads available, if that’s how you roll. I tried the Speakeasy Strips (chicken tenders), which came with French fries. It felt a bit like fish and chips, and I enjoyed them.

The joint aspires to be a craft cocktail speakeasy, but it’s not quite there yet. While the base spirits are well represented, several key elevated mixers and liqueurs are missing. That said, they haven’t been open long, so I’ll need to revisit down the road. One note: the food is fairly priced, but cocktails are expensive unless you stick to the menu. If you provide a recipe for your favorite cocktail, it will probably cost more than your meal.

Street parking is available.✌🏻