"I Put a Lot of Work Into This"— Summer House Star Carl Radke Invests Over $100K in Soft Bar

Carl Radke, best known for his time on Summer House, is stepping into the non-alcoholic beverage industry. The reality TV star is launching Soft Bar, a "mindful consumption bar and café" that caters to those who want alcohol-free drink options without missing out on the social experience.

Carl’s investment in this venture is no small feat.

"I put a lot of work into this,"

he shared, emphasizing the dedication and financial risk involved. He has poured over $100,000 of his own money into Soft Bar, showing just how much he believes in this concept.

The idea came to life in Summer House Season 9, Episode 8, where Carl hosted a garden party in New Jersey to introduce the brand. The event featured the debut of the Soft Bar sprinter van, a mobile bar serving unique non-alcoholic drinks. One of the standout mocktails, the "High Road," is described as an "uplifting" beverage, infused with functional ingredients like mushrooms.

But Soft Bar isn’t just about trendy drinks. It’s about creating a space for people who choose not to drink, whether for health, personal, or lifestyle reasons. And Carl is fully committed to making this a reality.

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Summer House star Carl Radke turns his vision into reality

Carl’s journey with Soft Bar wasn’t an overnight decision. The idea originally started as a non-alcoholic sports bar, but after feedback from his then-fiancée, Lindsay Hubbard, he reworked the concept. He admitted that Lindsay’s reaction made him rethink his initial plan.

"I didn’t have a great idea at first. Starting a sober sports bar probably wasn’t the best move right now,"

Carl shared.

"But a bar and café that serves coffee, functional drinks, and offers an experience? That’s a better idea."

This realization pushed him to refine Soft Bar into something broader. Instead of just focusing on sports, he decided to offer a full range of experiences, from coffee to cocktails, all without alcohol.

The Summer House star has long been open about his sobriety journey. Being four years sober, he understands firsthand the challenges of socializing in an alcohol-heavy culture. That’s why he’s determined to create a welcoming space for people who want an alternative.

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What is a Soft Bar, and what does it offer?

Soft Bar isn’t just another café. It’s a place where you can grab a drink that tastes great and does something good for you.

From non-alcoholic beers to mocktails with adaptogens and other functional ingredients, Soft Bar is all about wellness. These drinks aren’t just alcohol-free—they’re designed to help you feel better, whether by boosting your mood or giving you extra energy.

At the launch event, guests got to try some of these unique drinks. They weren’t just refreshing—they also had ingredients meant to support health and well-being.

But Soft Bar isn’t just about drinks. Carl wants it to be a place where people can hang out, socialize, and enjoy themselves without feeling pressured to drink alcohol. More and more people are looking for alcohol-free options, and Carl is ready to lead the charge.

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Carl’s investment and the future of Soft Bar

Carl isn’t just putting his name behind Soft Bar—he’s investing heavily in its success. He has personally invested over $100,000 to get the brand off the ground.

"There are no guarantees with this,"

he admitted.

"But I would rather fall flat on my face going after something I believe in than not try at all."

The business is already off to a strong start with the Soft Bar sprinter van making appearances at events. But Carl has bigger plans. Later this year, he plans to open Soft Bar’s first brick-and-mortar location in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

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The rise of mindful drinking and Soft Bar’s potential impact

The demand for non-alcoholic options has been growing in recent years. More people are looking for ways to enjoy social experiences without alcohol, whether for health reasons, personal choices, or a shift toward wellness-focused lifestyles.

Soft Bar is tapping into this trend at the right time. By offering high-quality, thoughtfully crafted drinks, Carl hopes to create a space that caters to this changing culture.

He did achieve something really great when he went from Summer House to being a business owner. Carl, who used to be a reality TV figure, now has his own business and goes as far as to claim that he is without any doubts very committed. Through his devotion, personal contribution, and the increasing public interest in non-alcoholic beverages, Soft Bar may have a bright chance to be a game-changer in the business.

While he is getting ready for the grand opening of the Greenpoint branch, Carl is keeping his eyes set on his first priority, which is to make a friendly and all-inclusive place where everyone—be they drinkers or not—can get wonderfully tasty drinks and good company.

For fans of Summer House, it will be exciting to see how this venture unfolds. For Carl, this is just the beginning.