Carl Radke did not open Soft Bar simply to give people another place to order a fancy drink. The “Summer House” star wanted to create the kind of social space he struggled to find after getting sober.
One year later, that idea has become a real community in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Radke celebrated Soft Bar’s first anniversary on September 3, 2026, calling the milestone “surreal” after more than two years spent developing the concept. Soft Bar opened at 200 Banker Street in September 2025. The alcohol-free café and bar grew from small pop-ups and events hosted from a branded Mercedes Sprinter van into a permanent Brooklyn destination.
The business has also started showing encouraging financial signs. Radke says Soft Bar has been profitable in recent months, giving his alcohol-free concept something more meaningful than social media attention.
Soft Bar Was Never Meant to Be a ‘Sober Bar’
Instead, Radke built the venue for a much wider crowd. Someone might be sober, pregnant, training for a marathon, taking a break from alcohol, or simply looking for something different on a Tuesday night.
The importance of that approach became clear during Soft Bar’s anniversary celebration. Radke noticed two pregnant women sitting at the bar and enjoying alcohol-free drinks. One woman was there with her husband, who thanked Radke for creating the space. Going out together during the pregnancy had started to feel uncomfortable because so many social settings revolve around alcohol.
At Soft Bar, the couple did not have to explain anything. They could order carefully made drinks, sit at a proper bar, and enjoy a night out without feeling like somebody had removed the main attraction. Radke said seeing the women feel welcome made him happy.
The venue now functions as what Radke calls a “third space.” The term describes a gathering spot outside home and work where people can meet, talk, relax, and build relationships. Soft Bar has leaned heavily into that role. The venue has hosted moms groups, a Brooklyn stroller club for dads, game nights, DJ events, run clubs, and conversations about sobriety and mental health.
Radke also hosts a monthly run club that mixes exercise with music and alcohol-free cocktails. One event brought together “Summer House” castmate KJ Dillard and members of the nonprofit Bigvision for a conversation about sobriety, grief, and mental health.
Alcohol-Free Drinks Get the Full Cocktail Treatment
“Mocktail sounds like you’re making fun of something,” Radke told People. Soft Bar instead calls its drinks “soft cocktails,” a name that reflects the care put into creating them.
That care starts with beverage director Richie Millwater. Before joining Soft Bar, Millwater worked as head bartender at the Michelin-starred “Eleven Madison Park,” bringing high-end hospitality experience into Radke’s alcohol-free project.
Their connection began in an unlikely place. Millwater heard Radke discussing his plans while his wife was watching “Summer House” and became curious about the alcohol-free bar market. After doing some research, Millwater sent Radke a direct message at his wife’s suggestion. Radke responded before the episode playing in their home had even finished.
Millwater’s approach rests on a simple idea. “Just because you don’t drink doesn’t mean you deserve a lesser experience,” he has said. Some drinks are associated with focus, while others lean toward a relaxed or upbeat experience. The aim is to make ordering an alcohol-free drink feel intentional instead of like settling for whatever soda happens to be available.
Director of coffee and tea Antonia Petaccio also helps Soft Bar move between two different identities. During the day, customers can treat the space like a stylish coffee shop before the atmosphere shifts toward a lounge later in the evening.
The industrial space features 24-foot ceilings, original brick, concrete floors, natural stone, steel details, vintage Italian furniture, and a long green bar. Wooden chairs, fabric seating, and curtains in coral and sage tones soften the industrial surroundings. The result gives customers a polished place to socialize without making alcohol the price of admission.
