Following its much-talked-about relocation from South London to Marylebone earlier this year, Kudu has expanded its offering with the opening of Smokey Kudu, a new upstairs cocktail lounge and private dining space on Moxon Street. Officially opening on November 3, the bar is designed as both a refined pre-dinner stop and a destination in its own right for long, late evenings.
Tucked discreetly above the main restaurant, Smokey Kudu leans into intimacy and comfort, pairing plush, low-lit interiors with a sense of relaxed indulgence. It’s a natural extension of the restaurant downstairs, but with its own identity: more lounge than bar, more lingering than rushing.
The cocktail list, curated by head bartender Brian Tapera, mirrors Kudu’s flavour-first approach, drawing heavily on South African influences while remaining playful and accessible. Fifteen cocktails span reworked classics and more experimental pours, each built around bold, confident flavour combinations.
Highlights include the Kalahari Sunset, a fruit-forward mix of pisco, apricot brandy, passionfruit and apple, and the Cape Old Fashioned, a robust, bittersweet take on the classic using brandy, frangelico, cherry heering, fernet branca and chocolate bitters. The Wild Mary pushes things further, reimagining a Bloody Mary with mushroom-infused mezcal alongside tomato, lime and pineapple.
Fans of the original Smokey Kudu will recognise returning signatures such as the guava-laced South London Paloma, the cult Saffa Rita, and the ever-popular Braai Negroni. Non-alcoholic cocktails are given equal thought, from a guava-driven Virgin Paloma to the tropical Kudu Thai, blending pineapple, orgeat, watermelon and lime.
Wine lovers are well covered too, with a South Africa-focused list available by the glass and bottle, alongside a concise cellar selection for special occasions. Expect serious names here, including bottles such as Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 2006, sitting comfortably alongside standout Cape wines.
Food comes in the form of elegant bar snacks that echo Kudu’s seasonal European cooking with a South African accent. House-cured Kalahari-spiced biltong sets the tone, followed by oysters dressed with tomato dashi and wakame, grilled artichoke with gremolata, and smoked prawn crullers with miso, pickled cucumber and dill. Salty, umami-rich and neatly judged, they’re designed to enhance rather than distract from what’s in the glass.
Co-founder Amy Corbin has again worked with London-based Fabled Studio to create a space that feels distinct from, yet in dialogue with, the dining room below. A low-lit wooden staircase leads up to a richly textured interior where berry-toned carpets, red clay walls and marble details reference the earthy landscapes of South Africa.
Artwork includes Liberty by South African artist Tamary Kudita, while a central fireplace and curved banquettes create a relaxed, lounge-like flow. A wood-panelled bar anchors the room, encouraging guests to settle in rather than perch and leave.
Tucked behind an ochre curtain, a private dining room seats up to 12 guests and is available for lunch or dinner, seven days a week. The feasting-style menus are designed for sharing, making it a polished option for celebrations and intimate gatherings.
Smokey Kudu opens Monday, November 3. Bar bookings and private dining enquiries are available online.