Robo-bartenders and bars: Cocktails meet circuits

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• April 4, 2025

Insight summary

Bars, cruise ships, and stadiums are adopting robotic bartenders that use artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to serve drinks quickly and efficiently. But while these machines can lower costs and improve consistency, they may also reduce job opportunities for human bartenders and change the social aspect of ordering drinks. As businesses and governments adjust to this shift, new regulations, business models, and consumer expectations may emerge.

Robo-bartenders and bars context

Robotic bartenders are mixing speed, precision, and novelty in bars, cruise ships, and stadiums. Companies like Nevada-based Richtech Robotics and Italian robotics firm Makr Shakr have developed advanced drink-serving robots that can mix cocktails efficiently while engaging with customers. Richtech Robotics recently introduced Scorpion, a single-arm, AI-powered bartender that can prepare a drink in one minute and interpret customer gestures. Meanwhile, Makr Shakr’s robotic bartenders, featured at Royal Caribbean’s Bionic Bar, can craft up to 1,000 drinks per day, blending automation with entertainment.

These robots operate through a combination of AI, robotic arms, and advanced software that ensures precise drink-making capabilities. Scorpion, for example, integrates Nvidia’s Jetson Orin platform and Isaac ROS libraries to detect movement, avoid obstacles, and optimize interactions in busy bar environments. Meanwhile, the Bionic Bar robots on Royal Caribbean cruise ships use a computerized ordering system, where passengers select from a menu or customize drinks via a tablet, while robotic arms mix and pour beverages. Makr Shakr has incorporated motion data from a professional dancer to program its bartenders to mimic human-like movements.

Robotic bartenders are gaining traction in diverse settings, from sports venues to liquor stores, demonstrating their potential to modernize the service industry. Richtech Robotics has deployed its humanoid bartender, ADAM, at the Texas Rangers' Globe Life Field, where it serves drinks alongside human bartenders to reduce wait times on game days. The company has also signed a deal with Park 34 Liquor Store Inc. to distribute at least 500 Scorpion units by 2030. As robotic bartenders continue to expand their presence, they may not entirely replace human bartenders, but they offer faster service and lower labor costs.

Disruptive impact

While robots offer fast and precise service, they may reduce casual conversations between customers and bartenders, which are often part of the bar experience. In addition, people who rely on bartending jobs for income may find fewer positions available, especially in high-traffic venues that shift to automated service. However, some individuals may benefit from these changes, as robotic bartenders could provide safer and more consistent drink preparation, reducing issues like overpouring or incorrect orders. Additionally, customers who prefer a quick and efficient service without small talk may find automated bars more appealing.

Companies investing in robot bars may reduce labor costs, but they may also face new expenses related to maintenance, software updates, and customer support for the technology. Bars that embrace automation may experiment with new revenue models, such as subscription-based drink services or exclusive automated cocktail experiences. Additionally, venues that balance human and robotic bartenders may attract a wider customer base by offering both convenience and personalized service. However, businesses that fail to adapt may struggle to compete with establishments that provide faster service and lower operational costs.

Labor policies may need updates to address job displacement, retraining programs, and minimum staffing requirements in bars using robotic systems. Additionally, safety regulations may evolve to ensure that automated bartenders comply with alcohol-serving laws, including preventing underage sales and overconsumption. Governments may also consider tax incentives or grants for companies developing or adopting these technologies, especially in tourism-heavy areas where automated service can improve efficiency. International regulations on AI-powered hospitality systems may also emerge, affecting trade and technology-sharing agreements.

Implications of robo-bartenders and bars

Wider implications of robo-bartenders and bars may include: 

• Bars and entertainment venues integrating robotic bartenders as a unique attraction, leading to increased foot traffic and higher customer engagement.
• Companies shifting to automated drink service reducing reliance on human bartenders, leading to fewer entry-level hospitality jobs but increasing demand for robotic maintenance roles.
• The rise of self-service drink kiosks in automated bars encouraging cashless transactions, leading to greater adoption of digital payment systems.
• Businesses using data collected from robotic bartenders to analyze customer preferences, leading to more targeted marketing and personalized drink recommendations.
• Governments creating new safety regulations for AI bartenders to prevent alcohol overconsumption, leading to stricter monitoring of automated service compliance.
• Companies investing in robotic bartenders at high-traffic locations reducing alcohol waste through precise pouring, leading to lower costs and improved sustainability.
• The entertainment industry adopting robotic bartenders at concerts and festivals to handle large crowds efficiently, leading to shorter wait times and increased sales.
• The expansion of automated service technology influencing demographic shifts in employment, leading to fewer young workers relying on bartending jobs as a primary income source.
• The luxury hospitality sector incorporating robotic bartenders as an exclusive experience, leading to higher-priced automated cocktail services for premium customers.
• Manufacturers of robotic bartenders advancing AI-driven mixology techniques, leading to the creation of complex cocktails that human bartenders may not easily replicate.

Questions to consider

• How might the rise of robotic bartenders change how you interact with service workers in restaurants, bars, and other hospitality settings?
• If businesses continue to replace human workers with automated systems, what new skills might future employees need to stay competitive in the job market?