Hot Gossip: A Conversation with Justin Gurland

Justin Gurland, founder of The Maze NYC, joins Hot Gossip to discuss what happens when hospitality is built around connection rather than consumption. After nearly two decades in recovery and fifteen years working in social work, Justin set out to create a different kind of gathering place—one designed for belonging, conversation, and community.

In this episode, Justin shares the journey behind opening New York City's first alcohol-free members club, the lessons he learned from recovery, and why he believes hospitality is ultimately about how people feel when they walk into a room. The conversation explores loneliness, third spaces, membership culture, wellness, and the growing demand for social experiences that don't revolve around drinking.

At a time when more people are rethinking their relationship with alcohol and searching for meaningful connection, The Maze offers a compelling vision for what modern hospitality can become: a place where people feel seen, welcomed, and part of something larger than themselves.