Beachfront restaurant survived Palisades Fire but was inundated by debris flows weeks later.
Duke’s Malibu is scheduled to reopen Friday at noon, ending a nearly yearlong closure caused by a mudslide that buried the beachfront restaurant in mud and debris just weeks after it survived the Palisades Fire.
The restaurant announced the reopening date in a March 11 social media post on its website and accounts, describing a “fresh new space” while promising to retain the same “aloha spirit” that has defined the Hawaiian-themed spot for decades.
“We’re opening Friday at 12PM! Fresh new space, same aloha spirit!” the announcement read, urging followers to stay tuned to the website and social media for real-time updates.
The Pacific Coast Highway landmark has been closed since heavy winter rains in early 2025 triggered debris flows that inundated the property, halting operations shortly after the structure was spared during the Palisades Fire. Initial cleanup took about two months and required gutting much of the interior, including replacement of plumbing, electrical systems and kitchen equipment. Roughly 130 staff positions were affected during the closure.
Earlier timelines had pointed to a phased reopening in late 2025, with the Barefoot Bar targeted for mid-November and full operations before year’s end. Those plans were pushed back multiple times due to weather-related construction delays and other unforeseen issues. In December, the restaurant confirmed the timeline had shifted into early 2026.
A January social media post showed a blessing ceremony as the team prepared to welcome back employees and guests. “We are so grateful for the continued support from this incredible community,” the message said.
General Manager Jimmy Chavez previously told LAist that the rebuilding process involved extensive repairs to restore the restaurant to its pre-closure condition. The March 11 announcement marks the first specific date provided since the delays were disclosed.
