Carl Radke, known for his appearance on the reality show Summer House, is excited for the upcoming opening of Soft Bar + Café. In a recent interview on The Julia Cunningham Show on SiriusXM, Radke shared that the official grand opening is scheduled for August 27, with a public opening on September 5. The establishment, located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has been a labor of love for Radke, who started building it out in March after securing the space in January.
The idea for Soft Bar + CafĂ© came about during Radke’s travels in Europe, where he came across several bars serving non-alcoholic drinks referred to as “soft cocktails” or “softs.” Drawing inspiration from this concept, Radke decided to create a space that caters to the non-alcoholic culture while also offering coffee and evening options. Unlike traditional coffee shops that close early, Soft Bar + CafĂ© aims to provide a beautiful and cool space for customers to enjoy throughout the evening.
One interesting tidbit shared by Radke is the story of how he stumbled upon the location for Soft Bar + CafĂ©. Initially considering a Starbucks location in Williamsburg, Radke was advised by a broker that Starbucks was leaving because “no one drinks Starbucks in Williamsburg.” This led Radke to find his own space, steering clear of taking over a former coffee spot and instead building out a first-generation space for his establishment.
During the ninth season of Summer House, Radke officially launched the Soft Bar brand with a garden party in New Jersey. The event also marked the debut of the Soft Bar sprinter van, which serves non-alcoholic drinks. Radke, who has been sober since 2020, invested over $100,000 of his own money into the venture, showcasing his dedication to the project.
As the grand opening of Soft Bar + Café approaches, Radke is looking forward to creating a dog-friendly and kid-friendly environment during certain hours of the day. With a vision to offer a unique experience that blends coffee culture with a non-alcoholic focus, Radke is excited to share his creation with the public. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new concept from Carl Radke.
