IN CONVERSATION WITH THE DIONYSUS GROUP

Dionysus Group’s 4th Annual Black-Tie Gala, sponsored by Rugs.com took place on 5th April in New York City. A night where luxury, culture, and philanthropy collide, this year’s gala wasn't just about exclusivity – it was about giving back.

Founded in 2021 by Griffin Harrington, Dylan Meyerson, and Michael Devine while they were still in college, Dionysus Group has become the go-to event production and social collective for New York’s next generation of creatives, entrepreneurs, and tastemakers. Now in its fourth year, their annual gala has become a must-attend event for the city’s most influential young professionals.

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Take us back to the beginning—what inspired you to launch Dionysus while still in college? Did you have any idea it would evolve into what it is now?

We started Dionysus in the middle of college, balancing school, internships, and part-time jobs. What kept us going was our deep-rooted passion for hospitality and our shared vision for something more ambitious. At the time, we had no idea it would evolve into a full-scale luxury event house, but we leaned on each other through every challenge and grew stronger with each event. Once we graduated, we had the freedom and momentum to really scale.

The Dionysus Gala has quickly become one of NYC’s most talked-about black-tie events. What do you think sets it apart from other parties or “young society” nights out?

We prioritize experience over profit—every detail, from lighting to performances, is designed to be unforgettable. Rather than relying on traditional DJs or club venues, we reimagine non-traditional spaces and build immersive worlds. The Gala is where indulgence meets intention, and our attendees feel like they’re part of something bigger than just a party. Our community-centric approach makes it feel more like a cultural moment than an event.

You’ve hosted over 150,000 guests to date. How have you maintained the sense of intimacy and exclusivity while scaling?

We’ve kept things intimate by growing through a curated friends-of-friends network rather than ads or mass marketing. Even now, we still keep in close contact with our earliest supporters—we never miss birthdays and always check in after events. Attendee feedback directly shapes our decisions, from venue choices to activations. That kind of closeness is what keeps the experience feeling personal, no matter the scale.

This year’s spring gala included charity casino tables, ballet dancers, live opera, and even live painting. How do you decide what to include in a Dionysus experience? What’s your creative process like?

We start by asking ourselves, “Would people come even if there were no DJ?” If the answer is no, we scrap it. Every activation is meant to surprise and engage—from immersive performances to interactive art. We also test ideas with our inner circle and listen closely to feedback after each event to refine our vision.


Why does the gala have hosts—and how do you choose them? What role do they play in shaping the energy of the night?

Hosts are our culture carriers—they bring the right energy and crowd. We choose people who are connectors across industries, and who embody the vibe we’re creating. Jagger Lambert, a film financier, and Luke Hawksworth, a premier real estate broker, have helped bring a whole new level of energy and creativity to our events. They help build the atmosphere before the night even begins by bringing their unique worlds to our hemisphere with an intersection of real estate, finance, and film people. 

Philanthropy is clearly a huge part of your ethos. How do you strike the balance between indulgence and impact?
We make giving back a natural part of the experience. Whether it’s donating proceeds or integrating charity through activations—like live auctions or casino tables—our goal is to make philanthropy engaging, not preachy. We’ve worked with organizations like Free Arts NYC and Art Saves Humanity, ensuring every event leaves a positive mark. Indulgence and impact can coexist when designed with care.

Your team has worked with partners like Red Bull, BFA, Mezcalum, and Rugs.com. What do you look for in brand collaborators? And how do you keep partnerships feeling authentic?
We only collaborate with brands whose values align with ours and who are willing to take creative risks. Authenticity is everything—we don’t believe in logo slapping. We treat each partnership as a co-creation opportunity, whether that means a sponsored activation or a branded experience. It has to feel intentional or it doesn’t happen.

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Tell us a bit about your audience. Who comes to Dionysus events—and what do you think keeps them coming back?

Our guests are young professionals in industries like finance, tech, fashion, and entertainment who care about quality experiences. They’re people who want to mix business and pleasure, to network while having a great time. It’s the cross-pollination of talent—models, lawyers, creatives, and founders all in one room—that makes it magnetic. They keep coming back because every event feels like a new chapter.

You’ve built all of this with no outside investment and a lean internal team. What’s been the hardest part of growing Dionysus behind the scenes?

Wearing every hat has been both the biggest challenge and our greatest asset. In the beginning, our age made it harder to be taken seriously, and we had to fight for every partnership and opportunity. But it forced us to learn every part of the business—operations, finances, marketing. Now that we’ve proven ourselves, the respect has caught up to the work.


From your design language to your ticketing strategy, it feels like every part of
Dionysus is intentional. How do you maintain that level of detail and curation?
We obsess over every detail because that’s where the magic is. From the moment someone lands on our RSVP page to the final toast at the event, we want it to feel seamless and special. We think about the full journey—how someone hears about the event, who they meet there, and what they take away. That’s the only way to build real brand love. To do so we are meticulous
with organization, documenting everything and assigning very clear responsibilities to team members to ensure nothing is overlooked.


Gen Z gets a lot of criticism for being too online or too fragmented. Do you think Dionysus is helping redefine what community looks like for your generation?

Absolutely. Dionysus exists to bring people offline, into spaces where real connections happen. We’re redefining community by prioritizing trust, shared values, and authentic experiences over follower counts. Our events feel like reunions, not ragers—and that’s what makes them resonate.


What’s next for Dionysus beyond the Spring Gala? Any hints you can share about future cities, events, or new verticals?

We’ve recently launched Vibrato, our live music brand, bringing live concerts back in season. We’re also planning a massive Halloween event in a historic venue and an all-white Hamptons event over the July 4th weekend. Long-term, we see Dionysus expanding into a global luxury event house.

Finally—what’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to turn a passion project into a real business?

Dream about it in your sleep—and make sure your team does too. Be obsessed, find your niche, and execute where others have failed. But also make sure your foundation is solid: operations, finances, and marketing are non-negotiable. If you can’t cover all three, find partners who can.

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