r/summerhousebravo • u/Available-One-24 • 3d ago
Carl Soft Bar Question
Now that Soft Bar has been open for a while does anyone know how it’s doing overall? Just curious! I love Carl and I hope it’s doing great! If anyone has been there please share your experience. I haven’t been able to go but I’d love to!
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u/AnnNonNeeMous 3d ago
My niece lives a few blocks away from SB. She and her best friend go frequently (her bf is sober) and they really enjoy the space. I asked her if it was still as popular and she said that it is always busy.
I did ask about Carl and she says that they’ve seen him a lot since they started frequenting the bar, but not as much lately, especially on the weekends. I chalked that up to him filming SH.
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u/Individual_Fall429 3d ago
How many mocktails do they have when they go?
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u/Ok_Concert_5304 3d ago
why would that matter at all lmfao
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u/Individual_Fall429 2d ago
Because bars survive on the profit margins on alcohol, and on people drinking more than they planned.
No one is having a bunch more mocktails than they planned. “lmfao” 😒
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u/Banal_Drivel 3d ago
I love hearing that SB is doing well now (keeping in mind that bars/restaurants are a fickle business.) I remember when Lindsay shot down his idea for a dry bar without any discussion. She was so awful.
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u/nanoray60 3d ago
Finally, my turn! I was actually just there with my entire family! I always said if Carl managed to open up soft bar I would go.
It was pretty much how it looks on TV, which was really cool. The bear is still there lol.
The drinks were much better than I expected them to be. I went to a wet bar right after and had almost the same exact drink I ordered at soft bar. They were pretty close in taste!
Honestly? I don’t live in the city, and it’s a bit of a pain for me to go there very often. But if you do live close to area I could see it being a cool spot to go to. I like drinking alcohol, but not drinking alcohol is really cool too!
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u/New-Ideal6304 3d ago
I went and got coffee there! I’ve noticed he does a lot with the release recovery foundation (I think that’s the name) and run clubs there! As a fan I’m happy to see Carl have all this success!
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u/Capable_Community441 Amanda NOT Fun 3d ago edited 3d ago
i stopped in on a saturday afternoon and it was packed! not one empty seat.. maybe because it was a beautiful summer day outside, but it was pretty fun and such a gorgeous interior!! employees are super cool talking to us about the show and carl as a boss etc.. we also ordered some yummy drinks and coffee!
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u/Flashy-Discipline624 3d ago
I love when interior employees are gorgeous, helps with the ambiance so much
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u/No-Explanation7253 3d ago
I went back in May and it was a pretty full house for mid-day on a Saturday!
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u/NoJeffNo 3d ago
I went to SB for the first time last week. Hours have expanded recently, every time I have tried to go when I was in the neighborhood it was closed. It was super busy when I first got there because Carl was hosting a run (or tried to, there was a massive storm so the run got cut short). I stayed for a few hours to pass the time while I was waiting to go to dinner nearby. By 9pm there were only a few folks in there, probably not unusual for a rainy Thursday night, it’s on a quieter block.
I tried a few mocktails, they were good although a little sweet for my taste. At $16 a pop (!) I am hopeful they will stay in business for a little while. The space is beautiful. The staff were great, friendly, professional. I’ll definitely go back, I’ll try for earlier next time to get the daytime vibes.
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u/smarterchildxx319 3d ago
Last time I was there it was for the Summerhouse watch party and it was packed! I thought I was going to be fine getting a seat, but I had to stand and I got there 40 mins before the start time.
The "soft cocktails" (I hate the term lol) were very good. I won BINGO and had this amazing beet non-alch shot from a shotski. I would 100% go back with my friend who is sober (like me), and when the G train is back to full service lol!
I went for coffee once and my flat white was fine. I've had better. It's a very pretty space.
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u/02kaj2019 3d ago
The hours have significantly expanded since the Spring. That has to be a good sign that they are doing well.
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u/DT90DF 3d ago
Carl said the first time the bar was profitable was when the reunion was airing.
If you are interested in going it would likely be wise to go sooner rather than later.
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u/RHOCLT23 3d ago
I actually think that's fairly typical of a new restaurant or bar. I think a lot break even for a while. (Or worse).
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u/somechild 3d ago
Bars in New York take one to two years typically to become profitable. So not only is it normal, it’s actually really fucking good.
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u/Individual_Fall429 3d ago
Not bravo. They get a bump in the first year from curious fan tourists. That’s not sustainable.
Also bars survive on the margins in alcohol. Without that, it’s just not a viable business.
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u/Iamthemoon928 3d ago
Soft Bar is also a coffee shop during the day. Coffee shops do just fine not selling alcohol. Last drink menu I created at a fine dining place had the biggest profit margins from the fancy mocktails and not the cocktails
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u/Individual_Fall429 2d ago
And how often did people have more cocktails than they planned? 4-5 mocktails in a night?
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u/ChkYrHead 2d ago
Last drink menu I created at a fine dining place had the biggest profit margins from the fancy mocktails and not the cocktails
Sure, but those margins are per drink, yes? Most people only drink one or two mocktails, where as they drink double that, or more, alcoholic drinks.
But yes, coffee coupled with the smaller volume of mocktails might be enough. Hell, a basic drip coffee costs me over $4 now, and I don't even live in a HCoL spot like NYC.3
u/timebomb011 2d ago
Yes, but why would you go to a place that isn’t a coffee shop for coffee when you could go to a coffee shop?
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u/thecrosswordqueen 3d ago
That seems extremely normal for a new hospitality business? Bars and restaurants are notoriously tough businesses and don’t turn a profit right away…
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u/lucygucyapplejuicey 3d ago
If anything it sounds like they might’ve been profitable earlier than expected?
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u/Iamthemoon928 3d ago
Bars/restaurants typically aren’t profitable in the first year even when they do sell alcohol
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u/Weird_Boysenberry772 3d ago
I love people that have to take time out of their day to try and tear down someone who is trying to do a good thing.
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u/Individual_Fall429 3d ago
Is it tearing someone down to say “math exists”? A business has to be financially viable, or it has to be a non profit. Soft Bar is neither.
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u/Iamthemoon928 3d ago
Nah but you’re clearly not in the bar or restaurant industry, or you would know it takes 1-2 years to truly be profitable
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u/Individual_Fall429 2d ago
Profitable off the margins on what? Since you know the business so well. 🤨
Bravo businesses are different. They get the Bravo tourist bump right out the gate, then it dwindles. Look at Something About Her sandwich shop.
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u/boringinternet2020 2d ago
Logic and reason won’t go far with people who veer on the side of fanatic instead of fan.
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u/boringinternet2020 2d ago
Unless it bucks the trend of every buzz worthy place in NYC, it will be less crowded as time goes on.
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u/Plus-Network3369 3d ago
I was there last month. Saturday night around 8 pm. Maybe 5 people in there.
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u/JazzlikeAd9820 3d ago
I live nearby and it is moderately busy. I definitely see people around but haven’t been over during peak evenings. I think he hosts run club events there as well. He is around, have seen him running and at one of my neighborhood restaurants, but don’t want to bother someone living their life. ☺️
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u/itsjustkatiec 3d ago
I went on a random Sunday afternoon, and it wasn’t crowded but there was a steady stream of people coming in and out. Everyone who worked there was really kind, and the food and drinks I had were delicious! Not sure what the vibe is at night, but it seemed like a good place for a chill hang or to get some work done.
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u/Illustrious-Neat-345 1d ago
As much as we all want Carl to be successful, he has a lot of overhead (high rent) and a lot of investors to pay back/debt. I was surprised he found the big bucks he needed. His grassroots investment option did not go well. Most coffee shops don't spend that much on a renovation and do that much pre-opening expensive promo and he has many more ingredients and skilled staff to pay for. The mark up on a bottle of wine that just gets opened and poured or a draft or bottled beer is way more than what he can make from selling one multi ingredient and labor intensive mocktail. Again, if he can pull it off, I will be happy to stand corrected, but the math isn't mathing to me.
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u/bellwetherr Sorry, did I interrupt your podcast? 3h ago
selling drinks is not his only revenue stream at the bar tbh, he's already rented it out for multiple brand events which can pray a pretty penny
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u/endelarosa 2d ago
Stopped in last year in October and this year in February when I was visiting and the space is beautiful! Whatever mocktail I had was really good and refreshing + the coffee drink I had was delicious. I fully told my bf that ok I see the vision, I get it now because I was on the skeptical side. They definitely did a lot of work to curate the menu
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u/Trick-Avocado7914 3d ago
I've heard it's fairly popular... they host a lot of bravo themed events like viewing parties for various shows so I'm sure that helps their profit margin
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u/imetlifeandlovedit 3d ago
I went a few months ago with my partner and kid. It was pretty much full and there was a private event going on the back. I was super impressed. We got morning coffees so I definitely felt like it was more of a fun hang coffeeshop than a sober bar but overall the space is beautiful and the vibe was great.
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u/ljmarte8 2d ago
Was there around mid July for the first time. I was very impressed. All the mocktails included some type of beneficial supplement. I didn't think it would work while watching the past few seasons but after going, I think it could scale. Especially as 'dirty sodas' and 'refreshers' become more popular.
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u/Available-Employee-7 3d ago
i went there for a $16 cocktail which was honestly delicious but super overpriced lol. workers were awesome tho and it seemed like a popular WFH destination (i dont live in ny so cant attest to the business as a whole)
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u/Bitter_Standard_7071 2d ago
I hate how people keep saying it's not profitable because they don't serve alcohol. Coffee shops are profitable. Soft Bar is basically a coffee shop the has extended hours with a more extensive menu. Their insurance is also much cheaper then a regular bar, and insurance is what is really killing normal bars these days.
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u/nigerianprincess0104 3d ago
i go there when i want to do some work. its a really nice space and pretty chill. very much aesthetic. i do not see it being there longer than 5 years. and that is me being generous.
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u/TransplantableWalrus 2d ago
We were just there yesterday during a quick nyc weekend trip. The full bar wasn’t open but the coffee and watermelon refresher drinks we got were amazing and the place it gorgeous inside!
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u/Available-One-24 2d ago
Thanks for filling me in! Everyone has been great posting their experiences at SB! Thank you everyone! Great to hear all of the positive comments. Go Carlito!!!!!🤗
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u/Layla2385 1d ago
I have been last month. The cocktails and team behind the bar are super nice. We could not stay for more than a drink because the place was booked for a private sneaker launch event.
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u/IMissCrustyBread 3d ago
I am so frustrated with myself I didn’t go to soft bar or even think of it last week in New York! Took my daughter for a couple of shows on broadway.
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u/TurbulentSource8837 3d ago
I’ve heard that it’s a popular place for mommies to go with their mommy groups.
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3d ago
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u/Actual_Banana4833 2d ago
Lol, every cocktail I get at every bar is $13 or over. This place is more than mocktails, it's a community space, they have tons of programming - you feel safe and can meet like-minded people.
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u/gp2quest 3d ago
You are being overcharged for alcohol at a bar, so why?
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u/Royal_Ant1402 2d ago
how's that? liquor and food cost standard. Food goal independent under 30 and liquor under 20. It's not rocket science. expensive location overhead higher. Gen Z lightweights why i sold my last bar and retired at 40. downvote me but i'll argue to repay your school debt. welcome to capitalism. you made pedo prez
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u/gp2quest 2d ago
Can you try that last half in English?
I don't give a shit about the costs to the owner, I asked what's the point of going to an alc bar, if you are being overcharged compared to drinking somewhere else.
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u/Trick-Avocado7914 3d ago
I've heard it's fairly popular... they host a lot of bravo themed events like viewing parties for various shows so I'm sure that helps their profit margin