Uncompromising Connection

UNCOMPROMISING CONNECTION

3/25/2026

UNCOMPROMISING CONNECTION
Inside the Movement Redefining Social Life Beyond the Drink
Exclusive Interview with Justin Gurland
Featured in 'ALIGN'
Hosted by Damkianna
Supported by Truth & Justice League

In a city that never sleeps, where networking often happens over cocktails and connection is filtered through loud bars, something radically different is rising. The Maze is not just an alcohol-free private members club in New York City. It is a cultural shift.

So what happens when sobriety evolves beyond abstinence and becomes a movement rooted in connection, creativity, and conscious community?

At the center of it is Justin Gurland.

Justin’s sobriety journey began at 25, at a time when he believed life without substances would feel small, empty, or maybe even unbearable. What he discovered instead was expansion. After years in recovery, he had a breakthrough that changed everything. The opposite of addiction is not just sobriety, it is connection.

That realization shaped his life’s work.

With over 15 years as a licensed master social worker specializing in substance abuse, and 18 years of lived sobriety, Justin has helped countless individuals rebuild their lives through meaningful relationships and community. The Maze is the embodiment of that philosophy. A high-design, high-vibration private members club redefining social life without alcohol. A new American restaurant, elevated coffee, weekly events, curated gatherings, and monthly cornerstone groups where entrepreneurs, parents, creatives, and leaders meet in intentional community.

It is for the sober, the sober curious, the wellness focused, the high performers who want clarity, the founders who want depth, and the humans who are done pretending that connection requires a drink in their hand.

The Maze is proof that sobriety is not an ending. It is a powerful beginning. And in the heart of New York City, it is building something unforgettable.

DAMKIANNA: Justin, thank you so much for joining us here at AwareNow on the ALIGN Channel. I would love to ask you, could you share about a pivotal moment or an inner shift that really sparked the idea for The Maze, and a little about how your personal journey shaped the mission behind creating this alcohol-free social club in New York?

JUSTIN: Absolutely. First, thank you. It is an honor and a pleasure to be able to share something I am so proud of. I have thought a lot about this question, and I do not think it was one pivotal moment as much as it was a collection of moments. It is almost like this idea was born without even knowing it was born.

I got sober here in New York when I was 25. That was 18 years ago. What I did not know then, but learned pretty quickly, is that getting sober was not just about removing drugs and alcohol. It was about a lot of different changes, starting with that, of course, removing something that for me was dangerous and not working.

A big part of that shift is replacing it with something else. It took me some time to figure out what that would be. There are obvious things like exercise or eating healthy or focusing on work, but for me, where I really felt a shift was building a new community and making new friends. Being around people on a similar path.

That is when I started to feel better as a person. It was realizing I was not the only one going through this. I had people walking a similar journey.

In the later years of my addiction, I was very isolated. I spent a lot of time by myself because that was where I felt comfortable. So it was uncomfortable at first, going out and making friends again. And I certainly was not used to doing that sober. So much of socializing growing up revolves around drinking and partying.

I learned very quickly that you need your people around you. We would constantly ask, what are we going to do tonight? Where can we go? This is New York City, so it is not like there are limited options. But there are limited options if you want a place that is not loud, not chaotic, and not centered around alcohol. Somewhere you can actually have a conversation.

That place did not exist.

Later, I began working in the addiction and behavioral health field. I earned my master’s in social work, and over the years, I saw that clients who rebuilt their community did better than those who did not.

A couple of years ago, after selling part of my business and figuring out what was next, I kept coming back to this idea. That place still did not exist, even 18 years later. So I started thinking, what if we just built it? What if we created the space that never existed?

It turned into a beautiful journey where things just started falling into place. The right people, the right ideas, the right space. I just trusted the process.

DAMKIANNA: Amazing. So it was really a continued experience of recognizing something was missing, a need that was not being met, and building toward it without having a space to hold it. It sounds like a series of pivots.

JUSTIN: Yes, definitely. But what was really cool is something I did not expect. For 18 years, anyone I knew who was alcohol-free was in recovery. Then, as I started building this space, I realized there is a whole new generation of people choosing not to drink for various reasons. That is relatively new. I do not know if The Maze would have succeeded even two years ago.

DAMKIANNA: Yeah. And so it was really a timing moment, and you listened to that. I personally identify as someone who just chooses not to drink. I feel better, I feel clearer. It has been amazing to see how culture is evolving.

And that actually leads beautifully into the next question I wanted to talk about. With multiple generations changing the ways that they are connecting and socializing, along with the wellness industry and leaders coming from a performance and business lens, I am curious how you see that cultural shift playing out in real life.

You mentioned that a couple of years ago the world might not have been ready for The Maze. How does The Maze speak to this evolving landscape beyond just people in recovery or those who identify as sober?

JUSTIN: I am constantly amazed that there is no one-size-fits-all. Let me tell a quick story that helped change my perspective.

We have an application process followed by an interview. One of the questions is, are you alcohol-free? There was a period of time where if someone selected no, maybe we would not prioritize them.

But we ended up having a call with someone who said no. Naturally, the first question is, why do you want to join an alcohol-free club if you are not alcohol-free?

She said, “I have been trying to be alcohol-free for years, but I do not know where to go or who to hang out with. I end up drinking, and I do not want to.”

That really changed the trajectory for me.

She represents a whole group of people I had not given enough thought to. She is social, she wants to be out in the world, but she ends up drinking because that is what the environment supports.

For those of us in recovery, we are trained to find sober people. It becomes a subculture. But for people outside of that, it is not so easy.

You have wellness communities, people who stop drinking for health reasons, parents, professionals, people doing Dry January who feel amazing and want to keep going. But where are they meeting people?

Providing that space is a gift in itself.

On the consumer side, we are also seeing a shift. Brands are investing in alcohol-free options. It is no longer just soda or seltzer. Now you are holding a beautiful drink, something intentional, and you feel included. That has been a big shift for people who previously felt left out.

DAMKIANNA: Yes, absolutely. You cannot tell the difference. You have something that feels special and intentional. I am a big fan of intentional elixirs.

As a fellow founder and visionary leader, I am curious. You saw this unmet need, but how did you access the conviction to go from “I wish this existed” to actually building it in New York City?

JUSTIN: That is a very good question. I do not know. I think I had the gift of time between the seed being planted and taking action. I used that time to test the concept, talk to people, and make sure it was realistic.

It did take betting on myself.

I try to look at myself as a social entrepreneur. If a business is successful financially but is not providing something positive for humanity, is it worth it? For me, it is not.

That keeps me grounded.

I also give a lot of credit to my dad. He has always been my mentor and a big believer in me. That support helped push me forward.

I also believe that if I am the smartest person in the room, I am in the wrong room. I need people around me who challenge me and push me to think differently.

DAMKIANNA: Absolutely. To really grow, we have to be challenged and stretched. I love that you call yourself a social entrepreneur. If someone walked into The Maze, what would they experience?

JUSTIN: I was involved in every decision that was made. My only request from our designer was to give me three options at a time. That is all I can handle.

We nailed the design. It is cool but comfortable. Elevated and classy but not stuffy. It has a homey, living room feel where you can spend time.

But more than anything, it is the people. The energy, the laughter. That is what keeps people coming back.

We serve lunch and dinner, brunch on weekends, and I believe we have the best coffee in the city. Our kitchen is run by Tom Colicchio and Crafted Hospitality, so the food is incredible.

It is a members-only space, but non-members can visit for events, reservations, or tours.

DAMKIANNA: Amazing. And what is one takeaway you hope every visitor leaves with?

JUSTIN: That they want to come back.

DAMKIANNA: I love that.

JUSTIN: There is something here for everyone. You can stop by casually or make plans. Some members come for dinner. Others come to every event.

Our members range from 24 to 64. That diversity creates something really special.

We host DJ nights, breathwork, meditation, comedy nights, live music, and more.

The best place to check everything out is our Instagram, @themazenyc.

DAMKIANNA: Incredible. Thank you for everything you are creating and for taking the time to share this with us.

JUSTIN: Thank you. That means a lot to me. It is great to see you, and I would love to see you there in person.

DAMKIANNA: Absolutely. I cannot wait to cheers a nice little elixir at the bar.

If you are building something meaningful, if you care about wellness, clarity, leadership, and real connection, The Maze is for you.

They are open for private events, collaborations, curated gatherings, and memberships for those ready to experience social life differently. Without substances, without pretense, without compromise.

The next time you find yourself in New York City, walk through those doors. Bring your friends and meet the kind of people who value depth as much as ambition. Because it is not just a club. It is part of a cultural shift. Leaders choosing presence over performance, clarity over chaos, and connection over consumption. ∎