In this episode of Hot Gossip, we sit down with Justin Gurland, founder of The Maze NYC, for a conversation that moves far beyond business strategy into the deeper territory of purpose, redemption, and what it truly means to create space for human connection.

Justin's story begins in the darkness of addiction at 25, when his sister's intervention became the catalyst for a complete life transformation. What followed was years of social work, building community in recovery spaces, and ultimately recognizing a gap that desperately needed filling: where do people who don't drink go to connect, celebrate, and simply be?

The Maze NYC is Justin's answer—an alcohol-free members club in New York City that's redefining what hospitality can look like when profit isn't the only bottom line. With Tom Colicchio's culinary team, a 2,600-person waitlist before opening, and a community-first philosophy informed by years of social work, Justin has created something that transcends the traditional restaurant or bar model.

We explore how his understanding of human connection—learned through guiding others through recovery—shaped every decision in building The Maze. From interviewing all 200 founding members personally to designing programming that prioritizes vulnerability and belonging, Justin's approach proves that the most successful hospitality ventures are those built on genuine care for the humans who walk through the door.

This conversation touches on the isolation epidemic, the role of third spaces in modern life, the courage it takes to build something that has never existed before, and why the best hospitality isn't just about picking up a dropped fork—it's about creating an environment where people feel safe enough to become themselves.

Timestamps:

00:19 Service and Sobriety

02:02 Alcohol Free Community

00:00 Meet Justin Garland

06:36 Origin Story and Rock Bottom

11:42 Family Intervention

13:34 Staying Sober in NYC

16:08 Mentor and Social Work Path

22:42 Connection as Medicine

24:50 Building the Maze Concept

27:11 Waitlist and Momentum

31:19 Founding Member Insights

34:05 Marketing Snowball Effect

36:25 Alignment and Pushback

38:17 Finding the Perfect Space

39:33 Tenant Chemistry Moment

40:07 Landing Tom Colicchio

41:59 Mocktails and Recovery Lines

44:27 Building the Food Concept

46:24 Fatherhood and Legacy

48:30 Hospitality Creates Community

50:12 Work Life Balance Reality

52:35 Events and Member Programming

55:48 Who Joins The Maze

57:38 Why Now and Future Expansion

01:04:17 Naming The Maze

01:06:19 Rapid Fire and Wrap Up

Connect with ROY Hospitality

Website: https://www.thisisroy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hospitablyroy/

Connect with Justin Gurland

Website:https://www.themazenyc.com/team/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justingurland/ 

Instagram: @themazenyc