My First DAYBREAKER: Coffee, Cardio & Community at One of the Biggest Sober Raves Ever

I recently experienced my very first DAYBREAKER with FlavCity, Sydney Miller and Austin Millz —and I honestly didn’t expect it to be this incredible. As someone who’s been focusing more on my health lately, this event felt like the perfect combination of wellness, fun, and community—and completely different from the typical NYC social scene.

The event took place at Gitano NYC, a newer venue tucked into the city with lush, tropical vibes that made you feel like you had been transported somewhere far more exotic. It was the ideal backdrop for what turned out to be one of the largest sober raves ever hosted.

The morning kicked off with a high-energy workout led by Sydney Miller founder of HOUSEWORK. I’ll admit—I’m not usually someone who feels comfortable dancing or doing fitness routines in front of a big group. But the energy was so welcoming and non-judgmental that it was surprisingly easy to let go. I ended up doing the whole workout class, and by the end, I even found myself getting on stage and dancing during the DJ set. Everyone was just there to move, sweat, and celebrate the moment together, and that made all the difference. By the end of it, I was out of breath, smiling, and genuinely proud I stepped outside of my comfort zone.

 Meredith Marks—yes, from Bravo’s Real Housewives of Salt Lake City—was behind the DJ booth, absolutely owning it. She wasn’t just making an appearance; she was front and center, dancing her heart out and keeping the crowd hyped from start to finish. One of the most insane moments for me was seeing Austin Millz, a powerhouse DJ, spinning in such an intimate venue. The energy in that room was palpable—electric and alive in a way that you don’t always get at bigger shows. It felt like the crowd and the music were in perfect sync, fueling each other the entire morning.

I also ran into my friends Priyanka and Jessica, who love going to EDM raves. They said this was a great experience—different but just as exciting and uplifting as the late-night dance parties they usually attend. Austin Millz was joined by Bobby Parrish (creator and co-founder of FlavCity) and  Danielle Pheloung.

FlavCity, the clean-label lifestyle brand, teamed up with DAYBREAKER to bring this event to life—and the partnership made total sense. They provided their new Café line along with their well-known Smoothies and Electrolytes, and guests were fueling up with clean energy all morning. I tried the Café drink and was genuinely impressed—it gave me the boost I needed without any of the crash (or weird aftertaste) that comes with typical energy drinks. I do a lot of working out and protein drinks can taste very chalky, but not this.

If you’re not familiar, FlavCity has built a massive community around healthy eating and meal prepping. Their website features hundreds of recipes that are flavorful, creative, and easy to follow—even for beginner home cooks or those that have not turned on their oven in months (cough cough, me.) Most recipes even come with video tutorials, which I appreciate. Their motto is “Making healthy food that actually tastes good,” and based on everything I saw and tasted at the event, they’re walking the walk.

What really stood out to me, though, was how this event tapped into a growing trend called coffee clubbing. Instead of heading out for cocktails at midnight, people are gathering in the mornings, dancing sober, and swapping alcohol for caffeine and connection. This movement has grown by 478% this year, and now I get why. It’s energizing in every sense of the word—and you leave feeling better than when you arrived.

DAYBREAKER itself is more than just a party—it’s a global social experiment that’s been running for 12 years in over 66 cities around the world. Its mission is simple but powerful: bring more joy and belonging into the world. After attending just one event, I can say they’re doing exactly that.

My first DAYBREAKER left me inspired, uplifted, and honestly, a little hooked. If this is what mornings can look like—movement, music, community, and clean fuel—I’m totally in.