The restaurant has been closed since a mudslide inundated the property with mud and debris, halting operations just weeks after it survived the Fire.
Duke’s Malibu plans to fully reopen by the end of February 2026, marking the end of a nearly yearlong closure caused by a mudslide that inundated the beachfront restaurant months after it survived the Palisades Fire.
The restaurant confirmed in a December social media update that construction delays tied to weather and unforeseen circumstances pushed its reopening into early 2026. It has since clarified that it expects to open its doors by the end of February.
“We continue to experience construction delays due to weather and unforeseen circumstances and will now be opening our doors in early 2026,” the restaurant said at the time, thanking customers for their patience and support throughout the rebuilding process.
Earlier plans had called for a phased reopening in late 2025. In October, Duke’s announced that its Barefoot Bar would reopen in mid-November, with the full restaurant expected to resume operations before the end of the year. Those plans were later delayed as reconstruction continued.
The Pacific Coast Highway restaurant has been closed since a mudslide inundated the property with mud and debris, halting operations just weeks after it survived the Palisades Fire. While the fire spared the structure, subsequent heavy rains triggered debris flows that caused extensive damage.
General Manager Jimmy Chavez previously told LAist that the cleanup process took roughly two months and required gutting much of the building, including replacing plumbing, electrical systems and kitchen equipment. About 130 staff positions were affected during the closure.
In a January social media post, the restaurant shared that it held a blessing ceremony as it prepared to welcome back employees and guests next month. “We are so grateful for the continued support from this incredible community,” the post read.
