40 Love Lands in Scottsdale with Elevated Dining and A-List Energy
- By: Ani Gutierrez | Photos: Isaac Torres
Where Gunna, Devin Booker, and friends set the tone; Scottsdale’s 40 Love is officially in play.
On a December evening in the heart of Old Town, a new chapter in Scottsdale nightlife took shape. 40 Love, the elevated restaurant-lounge concept from co-founders Sean Mulholland and Avery Johnson Jr., in partnership with Niall Horan and Deandre Hopkins, officially touched down on Wednesday with a two-night VIP Friends & Family celebration that was less of a launch and more like a scene already in full swing.
Tucked along Sixth Avenue, the Scottsdale flagship debuted just ahead of its public opening, welcoming an intimate circle of VIPs and insiders into a space that balances classic American country club cues with modern lounge energy.
The room was filled with heavy hitters across sports, music, and entertainment, including Gunna, Devin Booker, Jae Crowder, Tyler Wade, Jason Heyward, Hunter Matthews, and Chase McNary with wife Ellie McNary and son Cooper. Their presence matched the room’s effortless confidence, leaving an impression without effort.
Mulholland and Johnson have always framed 40 Love as more than just another restaurant or bar, and the Scottsdale opening made that vision tangible. As Mulholland put it, the goal was to create “a destination that redefines how Scottsdale dines, drinks, and gathers,” and last week it definitely showed.
At the center of the experience was the food. Chef Ryan Pitt, the award-winning culinary force behind the menu, delivered elevated comfort with a confident, mouth-watering edge. Guests enjoyed standout plates like the 40 Love House Salad, Arancini Wagyu, Caviar Waffle, Maine Diver Scallops, Mushroom Ragout, Filet Mignon, and the Wagyu New York Strip; the kind of dishes that feel indulgent without trying too hard. The menu pairs bold dishes with vegetarian and health-forward options, complemented by crafted cocktails for an unforgettable dinner or weekend brunch moment.
Behind the bar, cocktails such as the Scarlet Tempest, Firebird, Solstice Bloom, and Love Potion No. 40 kept the energy buzzing as conversations flowed from table to table. Dessert didn’t take a backseat either, with the Chocolate Maple Butter Cake and Tiramisu S’more making the rounds well into the evening.
Named after the tennis score, 40 Love pays homage to traditional tennis club culture while still keeping a distinctly elevated vibe. Designed by world-renowned interior architect John Sofio of Built, Inc., the interiors strike a balance between polished and playful, with effortless luxury furnishings that invite you to linger longer than planned.
The Scottsdale outpost follows the success of the Los Angeles original, long known as a magnet for major sporting events, private celebrations, and celebrity sightings. Here, that same concept translates seamlessly with its sophisticated, yet relaxed flow.
By the night’s end, 40 Love had proven itself to be more than just another restaurant or lounge, it’s a scene that makes Scottsdale stop and notice. From impeccable cuisine to crafted cocktails and a room that effortlessly hums with energy, every detail works together to create a space that invites lingering, mingling, and moments that feel both curated and spontaneous.
As Johnson shared, the aim was to bring something “refined, stylish, and culturally relevant” to a city that’s quickly evolving. Mission accomplished. With dinner giving way to its nightly ‘Social Lounge’, 40 Love has already positioned itself as a place Scottsdale will be talking about long after the lights dim.
