Inside Dionysus’ Spring Gala—and How The Group Has Risen In Nyc’s Social Scene

Photo Credit: Dionysus

It’s hard to make an impact on New York City’s social scene, and yet, Dionysus is doing just that. The event curation and talent management agency hosts events in the city to unite the city’s Gen Z population, through the power of community. Following the groups’ recent Spring Gala, we chatted to the founders to discuss why they launched their company, what makes their events unique, and how they are redefining modern-day social experiences for the next generation. 

Haute Living: Dionysus has carved out a unique space in NYC’s event scene by prioritizing community, exclusivity, and cultural moments over traditional hospitality models. How did your vision as Gen Z founders shape this approach, and what gap in the market were you addressing when you launched in 2021? 

Dionysus Group: When we launched Dionysus in 2021, we recognized a major gap in the hospitality space: while NYC had countless events, few offered both elevated experiences and genuine community. Most nightlife felt transactional, focused more on selling tables than creating lasting memories. As Gen Z founders, we were passionate about building something more intentional — a platform where young, ambitious individuals across industries could connect authentically in beautiful, unforgettable settings. Our age gave us a unique lens into what our generation craved: real connection, curated culture, and experiences that felt both indulgent and meaningful. 

HL: Your events are known for their immersive activations, curated local DJs, and non-traditional venues like museums and penthouses. Can you share your process for designing these memorable experiences and how you balance creativity with operational scalability? 

DG: We always start with one question: “Would people still come if there was no DJ?” If the answer isn’t a resounding yes, we go back to the drawing board. Every Dionysus event is designed to feel like a scene from a story — full of surprise performances, immersive activations, and transformative design. We curate open-format DJs who understand how to blend genres seamlessly and avoid relying on just nightlife norms. Operationally, we document everything meticulously, assign clear roles, and create scalable templates, ensuring we can replicate the magic without losing the boutique feel. Creativity leads, but strong backend organization makes it scalable. 

Photo Credit: Dionysus

HL: The Spring Gala at Surrogate’s Courthouse incorporates casino-style games where the winner chooses a charity for fundraising proceeds. How did you develop this innovative model for social impact, and what role does philanthropy play in Dionysus’ broader mission? 

DG: Philanthropy is deeply woven into the Dionysus DNA. We believe indulgence and impact can—and should—coexist. Inspired by a desire to make giving back an engaging, integral part of our experiences, we designed a model where attendees’ enjoyment directly tied to charitable outcomes. From live auctions to charity casino tables, our Spring Gala allows winners to direct proceeds to nonprofits of their choice, blending fun with real-world impact. Over the years, we’ve partnered with organizations like Free Arts NYC, Art Saves Humanity, and others, and it’s something we plan to expand even further as we scale. 

HL: Can you walk us through your recent Spring Gala?

HG: Our Spring Gala 2025 at Surrogate’s Courthouse was the culmination of everything Dionysus stands for. Sponsored by Rugs.com, the evening featured live ballet performances, opera singers, interactive casino tables supporting charity, and a live art activation where artist Alex Alpert painted a one-of-one rug, which was auctioned to benefit Free Arts NYC. Guests entered a historic courthouse transformed into a cinematic scene, brought to life through incredible production design led by Danila Grey, filled with curated lighting, elevated hospitality, and an unmistakable energy of both celebration and purpose. With over 800 attendees, including leaders in finance, fashion, tech, and the arts, it was truly a night where community, culture, and cause aligned perfectly. Special thanks also go to our hosts, Jagger Lambert and Luke Hawksworth, whose incredible vision, ideas, and crowd-building efforts helped cultivate one of the most electric environments we’ve ever created. 

Photo Credit: Dionysus

HL: You’ve built a highly scalable business model without outside investment, relying on ticketing, sponsorships, and partnerships with brands like RedBull and Eataly. How do you identify and secure these strategic collaborations, and what’s been the key to maintaining a lean operation? 

DG: Authenticity is at the core of all our partnerships. We only collaborate with brands that align with our ethos of creativity, community, and quality. Strategic collaborations are identified based on whether they enhance the guest experience rather than just provide logo placements. Our lean structure is a conscious choice—we wear many hats, stay hyper-organized, and maintain high trust among the founding team. This allows us to keep operations nimble while delivering events that feel highly produced and personalized. It also means we can pivot quickly and invest heavily where it matters most: the guest experience. 

HL: Each of you brings distinct expertise—Griffin in marketing and tech, Dylan in strategic direction and hospitality leadership, and Michael in finance and deal structuring. How do your complementary skill sets influence your decision-making process and contribute to Dionysus’ success? 

DG: Our complementary skills are Dionysus’ superpower. Griffin ensures the brand stays sharp, innovative, and data-driven through marketing and tech. Dylan leads our strategic direction, overseeing the evolution of our event concepts, partnerships, and operational growth while ensuring that every project aligns with our long-term vision. Michael safeguards our growth by managing financials, deal structuring, and partner negotiations. Together, we approach every decision from multiple angles—creative, operational, and strategic—which gives us both agility and foresight. Most importantly, the trust we’ve built allows us to challenge each other, ensuring that every major move we make is balanced, considered, and aligned with our mission. 

Photo Credit: Dionysus

HL: Dionysus has attracted a diverse audience across industries like fashion, tech, and finance. What strategies have you used to build such a strong, cross-industry community, and how do you plan to evolve the brand to meet the changing needs of your Gen Z audience?

DG: We’ve built our community organically, using a curated friends-of-friends model rather than mass marketing. By focusing on quality over quantity, we’ve cultivated an audience of young leaders across industries who seek depth in their social experiences. A key part of our strategy has been putting new hosts at the forefront of each event—connectors who bring new energy and new communities into our world. Recent examples include Jagger Lambert, a film financier, and Luke Hawksworth, a leading real estate broker, both of whom have been instrumental in curating incredible environments through their ideas, influence, and ability to attract a cross-section of exceptional guests. It’s about offering new faces and perspectives while staying true to our original promise: elevated, meaningful experiences that foster real connection. 

HL: Where do you see the future of social experiences headed? 

DG: The future of social experiences lies in intimacy, personalization, and storytelling. As the world gets more digital and fragmented, people crave real-life experiences that feel curated for them, not at them. Events will need to be multi-sensory, immersive, and anchored in authentic communities. At Dionysus, we see ourselves not just as event producers, but as cultural architects—building experiences that satisfy both the need for indulgence and the yearning for belonging. 

HL: Anything else? 

DG: Just immense gratitude. To everyone who has ever attended a Dionysus event, partnered with us, or supported our journey—you’re part of something bigger than a party. Dionysus is about celebrating life with purpose, and we’re only just beginning to show what’s possible.

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