Carl Radke Takes PEOPLE Inside Soft Bar, the Summer House Star's New Non-Alcoholic Venture-quang

Ahead of its official opening to the public on Sept. 17, the Bravo businessman takes fans on an official tour of the spot

Carl Radke's dream has become a reality.

The Summer House star is opening the doors to Soft Bar, his new non-alcoholic bar and café in Brooklyn, New York — and giving PEOPLE and exclusive first look at the stunning space.

Set to officially open to the public on Sept. 17, the inclusive venue is built to be what Radke calls a destination for mindful consumption, one where the sober-curious, wellness-minded and anyone seeking a vibrant social experience without alcohol can "come, recharge and connect."

“Soft Bar is really about changing what going out can be," says Radke, who co-founded the brand. “We wanted to build a spot where the drinks are high-quality and intentionally crafted, the vibe feels good, and people can connect without alcohol. At the end of the day, it’s about bringing people together and celebrating great flavors"

On the menu, a wide array of non-alcoholic soft cocktails, each crafted using cutting-edge techniques and Instagram-worthy designs. All are developed and curated by Rich Millwater, the former head bartender at Eleven Madison Park, which has been a leader in the non-alcoholic beverage space.

Dr. Brooke Scheller, an expert in sober nutrition and author of How to Eat to Change How You Drink, contributed on the menu, too, suggesting high-quality ingredients that assure each drink doesn't just taste good, but includes functional benefits.

"We're really about 'soft cocktails,' " Radke tells PEOPLE, of the bar's menu, noting how the word "mocktails" won't be used. "It's not, 'Oh here's a version of a margarita without tequila.' Or some joke of an after-thought, like the term 'mocktails' implies. These are drinks that are designed intentionally to give you the same kind of experience you would have at a really cool cocktail bar."

A cocktail at Soft Bar.

Canned beers, wines and sparkling teas (including non-alcoholic Loverboy, a favorite for Summer House fans) will be for sale too. And for those hungry, they can snack on a collection of healthy, approachable food picked to pair perfectly with the non-alcoholic drinks. 

But Soft Bar is not just a nighttime destination. A range of premium coffee and coffee alternatives, (including those made with adaptogen mushrooms) are also being served, in a program coffee commander Antonia Petaccio helped establish. The caffeine boost offers customers even more opportunities to stop by the business.

When they do, they'll be greeted by a serene, modern space, thoughtfully designed by Bolt Design firm in collaboration with ABC Stone.

Located at 200 Banker Street, Soft Bar sits on right on the Greenpoint/Williamsburg border, not far from the waterfront and smack in the middle of a sea of former warehouse spaces that have been redeveloped into residential buildings, small businesses and mixed-use spaces.

The industrial locale inspired many of the design choices for Soft Bar, with materials like natural stone gracing the tabletops, marble slabs on the bars, concrete covering the floors, steel throughout the staircase and original brick on the walls. Yet, the space doesn't feel cold, with wooden chairs, fabric benches and lush curtains providing an element of warmth.

Hues like coral and sage green add to the bar's softness (pun intended), while unique lighting and glassware allow the room to feel bright and welcoming.

"The whole concept is about honoring the history of what was here before," Radke says.

And once past the long, dual-purpose bar, customers can find a flex zone with a private bar where private events can be held. The first, already, is a friends and family bash on Wednesday, Aug. 27, where Radke's Bravo castmates (like Kyle Cooke, Amanda Batula, Ciara Miller, Jesse Solomon and West Wilson) are expected to attend.

Radke, 40, first floated the idea of opening the brick-and-mortar business two years ago, on season 8 of Summer House. It was a concept that came to him while he was deep into recovery for his alcohol and cocaine addiction.

"I got sober in January 2021," he told PEOPLE in August 2024. "And [since then], I've been looking for places in New York where I can go out and enjoy myself still without feeling that pressure. And everywhere I went, it always felt like something was missing."

Soft Bar will be an option for those who want to be social but also "want to be somewhere that won't compromise their lifestyle," Radke shared.

"This isn't a 'sober bar.' This is a space for everyone," he explained. "Yes, if you're sober, this is the place for you. But it's also for those who embrace a healthier way of life without alcohol. It's a place for pregnant women to go out; for friends who want to be social without the hangover in the morning; or for people who are curious about taking a break from drinking, but don't know where to start."

"I want to break the stigma, in a way," he said. "It can be hard, when you don't drink alcohol, to navigate socializing at night without having a drink in your hand. But I want everybody to feel that they can walk into Soft Bar and feel empowered because they have something for themselves."

And though the journey to Soft Bar's opening has been long, Radke is glad to have gotten to this point.

"I feel like this is my calling," he told PEOPLE. "I've just had this drive inside of me that's said, 'You've got to go for this.' "

"It's amazing to be in a position where I can introduce a new concept and help redefine the non-alcoholic industry in a way," he continued. "I'm really proud of what we're creating and what I hope will help a lot of people feel like they have a place to go for the first time."