Carl Radke, the familiar face from Bravo’s Summer House, is finally set to unveil his ambitious new venture, Soft Bar + Café, marking a significant milestone after a year of dedicated development for this highly anticipated restaurant opening. This new establishment aims to redefine social spaces by offering a unique non-alcoholic experience.
The eagerly awaited grand opening for friends and family is slated for August 27th, a private affair to celebrate the culmination of extensive effort. Following this exclusive preview, the doors of Soft Bar + Café will officially open to the public on September 5th, welcoming patrons to its innovative concept.
The journey to establishing Soft Bar has been meticulous and hands-on for Carl Radke. He revealed that securing the physical space didn’t happen until January, with construction commencing in March. This timeline underscores the significant build-out required for what he describes as a “first-generation space,” demanding comprehensive plumbing and electrical work.
The distinctive name, “Soft Bar,” carries an intriguing origin story rooted in Radke’s European travels. He explained encountering drinks dubbed “soft cocktails” or “softs” in various bars, inspiring his vision for a dedicated non-alcoholic bar that offers sophisticated alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages.
Interestingly, the search for the perfect location included a surprising encounter. Carl Radke recounted a humorous anecdote about visiting a closed Starbucks in Williamsburg with his broker. Despite the availability, he consciously decided against taking over an existing coffee shop, preferring to build out a fresh space that truly embodied the unique ethos of his celebrity business.
Radke envisions Soft Bar + Café as more aligned with the “Starbucks realm” than a conventional cocktail bar. His concept focuses on extending the vibrant coffee culture and non-alcoholic bar trend into the evening, providing a beautiful and cool space that remains open beyond the typical 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. closing times of most coffee establishments.
The venture represents a substantial personal commitment for the Summer House star, who disclosed investing over $100,000 of his own money into the project. This significant financial contribution highlights his unwavering dedication to bringing the Soft Bar vision to fruition and establishing a lasting presence in the hospitality landscape.
Beyond the new business, Carl Radke has also confirmed his continued participation in season 10 of Summer House, ensuring his ongoing presence on the popular reality series. Earlier, during season 9, he hosted a garden party in New Jersey to launch the Soft Bar brand, alongside the introduction of a sprinter van designed to serve non-alcoholic drinks, further expanding the brand’s reach ahead of the physical restaurant opening.
With the grand opening fast approaching, Carl Radke’s Soft Bar + Café stands poised to become a new hub for those seeking refined non-alcoholic options and a welcoming atmosphere, solidifying his role not just as a reality TV personality, but as a serious entrepreneur.
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