Summer House Star Carl Radke Opens Mindful Consumption Bar Soft Bar

Carl Radke, a familiar face from Bravo's Summer House, offered Us Weekly an exclusive preview of his new venture, Soft Bar, just days ahead of its grand opening on Thursday, September 18.

The 40-year-old entrepreneur treated Us to a taste of several concoctions, such as the invigorating Mint Condition and the intriguing Bitter Beginning, as he characterized his new establishment as a "mindful consumption bar and cafe." Beyond its signature soft cocktails, Soft Bar's menu extends to include functional beverages and a full range of cafe offerings, from expertly brewed coffee to delicate matcha.

“Soft Bar is designed to be universally welcoming,” Radke elaborated. “While our sober community holds a special place, we are equally eager to host individuals seeking a pause from alcohol, those exploring sober curiosity, or anyone grappling with their connection to alcoholic beverages. It’s an ideal spot for a brief 20-minute stop or a relaxed hour-long visit to sample a non-alcoholic drink and discover if it resonates with you.”

Radke emphasized his intention to "forge a space" that genuinely caters to "everyone," a concept he felt was missing from existing venues.

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“While dedicated sober bars exist,” he disclosed, “I've visited them and often felt a lingering sense of questioning my belonging. Many of these venues can feel quite exclusive, and my aim here was to cultivate a truly inclusive environment.”

The Summer House personality, known for candidly discussing his sobriety path on the reality series, confessed to having "profound doubts" about whether his New York-based venture would ever come to fruition.

“I reached a breaking point at one stage. It’s inherently stressful, with numerous elements in motion and many factors beyond one’s command,” he explained, listing construction delays, municipal regulations, and import tariffs as examples. “There were certainly instances of self-doubt, pondering, ‘Will this truly succeed? Will we ever open our doors?’ Yet, much like my personal journey, it ultimately boils down to approaching things one day at a time.”

Addressing skeptics of his new Soft Bar endeavor, Radke remarked that widespread discussion surrounding the concept, irrespective of whether it's positive or negative, is "typically a positive indicator."

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“I consider myself fortunate that, regardless of the sentiment, people are engaging in conversations about it. What I'm introducing, while fresh, isn't revolutionary. I'm simply distilling what I genuinely perceive as a societal need and infusing it with specific elements,” he articulated. “My goal is also to elevate this concept, as I firmly believe there's a demand for an alcohol-free venue that is stylish, sophisticated, and available for guests to enjoy a superb experience at any hour.”

He proceeded, “For those who harbor doubts, I recognize I may not sway your opinion. However, I stand by what we've created and what Soft Bar currently offers — I extend an open invitation to any doubters: step inside, and your first drink is on me. If it doesn't meet your expectations, that’s perfectly fine. But, we are here, and we've done it.”

Radke is keen to distinguish that Soft Bar does not offer mere "mocktails," but rather meticulously crafted "soft cocktails."

"Our soft cocktail program is built on deliberate design. It begins with carefully selected components. [Our lead bartender] Jamie undertakes extensive pre-batching and preparation long before a drink is served — it’s truly an advanced approach to mixology," he stated. "This involves techniques like milk-punching, fat-washing, clarifying our beverages with various ingredients, and filtering them, all while incorporating supplementary functional elements."

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Certain beverages incorporate mushroom supplements — “I assure Us that no psychedelic mushrooms are present in any of our drinks,” he clarified — alongside other health-enhancing components. Revisiting the Mint Condition, which evoked the flavors of basil tea with delicate notes of grapefruit and vanilla for Us, includes NAD, a crucial coenzyme known for supporting metabolic functions.

"Our aim is to infuse these more therapeutic, functional ingredients, akin to what you'd discover in a Whole Foods supplement aisle," Radke explained. "Given that many individuals consume daily vitamins or other supplements, we're integrating some of these into our non-alcoholic drinks, ensuring guests receive something genuinely functional and beneficial for their health."

An often-overlooked aspect for patrons might be the venue's early operating hours, allowing for a morning coffee stop before work or even transforming Soft Bar into a productive daytime workspace.

"My initial concept, shared on Summer House a few years prior, revolved around a sober sports bar. That vision wasn't entirely fleshed out at the time. I revisited and refined it because it wasn't the optimal direction. My priority was to establish a solid foundation, cultivate a distinct brand identity, and meticulously develop our beverage program and core ethos," he elaborated, emphasizing that the ultimate realization was a harmonious blend of non-alcoholic culture.

For a demonstration of Radke’s mixologist crafting a soft cocktail for Us and to delve deeper into Soft Bar's offerings, consult the accompanying video. Soft Bar welcomes guests from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. You can find the establishment at 200 Banker Street in Brooklyn, New York.