Dubai’s Dion wants to buy you a drink – then get down to business

A Dubai-founded app that lets users send drinks to people they want to meet is taking its martini-as-icebreaker concept global, expanding to New York, Miami and Los Angeles, with summer pop-ups planned for Mykonos, St. Tropez and Ibiza.

Dion, a members-only social networking platform co-founded by software engineer Revekka Palaiologou and hospitality veteran Miltos Kambourides, launched in late 2024 and has grown quickly. In New York City alone, more than 20,000 people are on the waiting list.

The premise is innovative: instead of opening with a message, users can send a daiquiri or a cappuccino to someone they want to meet. The recipient redeems it at any participating bar or restaurant, and the conversation starts from there.

“Our belief is that actions create stronger connections than words alone,” Palaiologou said in an interview with The Circuit.

The app operates on a curated membership model — users apply to join rather than sign up automatically — and has gained traction among professionals, entrepreneurs and investors active in Dubai’s social scene.

Dion — short for Dionysus, the Greek god of winemaking and fertility — works with 40 to 50 venues per city, handpicking spots where atmosphere and exclusivity align with its concept.

In Dubai, those include Gaia, Comptoir 102, African Queen and Coya. In New York, Gospel, Casa Cruz, Maxime’s and The Corner Store are among the listings.

The company generates revenue through transaction fees and brand marketing contracts with hospitality groups, and Palaiologou said a subscription tier is also in the works.

The expansion comes as Dion’s founders argue that the social networking model is fundamentally broken.

“Despite having more ways to connect than ever before, people are feeling increasingly disconnected,” Palaiologou said. “Dating apps, social media and networking platforms generate endless digital interactions, but very few meaningful real-world connections.”