The wait is almost over. Carl Radke’s Soft Bar + Cafe is set to open in the upcoming months.
The Summer House cast member shared the update via Instagram on Thursday (May 22), nearly a year after he formally announced the non-alcoholic concept bar. Carl posted a video outside the Brooklyn brick-and-mortar as a construction crew worked in the background. He pointed out that the previous industrial facade had been removed and would be replaced with glass panels.
“All right, the garage door is down,” he said in the Story. “This is going to be a glass at some point here soon, but making some progress. Slowly but surely.”
Carl didn’t provide an exact opening date, but said the bar was still on track to launch “this summer.”
“Can’t wait to show you guys,” he added.
Carl Radke teases what’s in store for Soft Bar + Cafe
Although he has a full team of professional builders, Carl has been pretty hands-on with some of the renovations. On Friday, May 23, he posted several photos from a boom lift, which he used to paint the exterior brick wall.
Days before the bar updates, Carl traveled to Milford, Connecticut, to visit Athletic Brewing, an award-winning beverage company specializing in non-alcoholic craft beer.
“Doing a little tour,” he said while showing off the factory. “Behind the scenes of one of the best non-alcoholic beers in the business… Thank you, Athletic team. It’s really cool.”
Carl Radke explains his mission for his non-alcoholic bar/cafe
Carl, who began his sober journey several years ago, shed more light on his business in Summer House Season 9, Episode 13, revealing he was “about to sign” a seven-year, $10,000-a-month lease for the bar. Although he admitted it was a risky move that could result in bankruptcy, he remained confident in his business model. Carl laid out his vision during a recent appearance on the Zac Clark Show, explaining what inspired the Soft Bar + Cafe concept.
“I realized that I think there still needs to be a place — that looks and feels just like a cool bar [or] a cafe — that there’s zero alcohol,” he said. “But what there is is really great drinks. Functional drinks that make you feel good. Nothing mind-altering, but quality products… an experience that is elevated and fun.”
He continued: “I’m looking for something that feels and looks like the other cool and elevated spots, but most of those places are very limited in their non-alc options. I don’t drink alcohol and I don’t drink coffee, so I don’t exist in New York City.”
Get more details about Carl’s Soft Bar + Cafe, including his six-figure investment in the company.