Bionic bartenders deployed at Las Vegas Strip bar
Bionic bartenders deployed at Las Vegas Strip bar: But
can you bend their ear?
By Mick Akers Wednesday, June 28, 2017 | 2 a.m.
Two robots walk into a bar. Well, OK, maybe they don’t
walk, but they can pour you a perfect drink.
Tipsy Robot, a 2,500-square-foot bar to open Friday at
the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, boasts two robotic bartenders ready
to make your favorite concoction any way you like.
Looking to gain a step on other major nightlife cities in
the U.S., owner Rino Armeni decided to open the first permanent robotic bar in
Las Vegas.
“We have so much talent in this town. However, trends
always come from New York,” said Armeni, the chairman of Robotic Innovations
who's lived in Las Vegas for almost 30 years. “So my partners and I decided to
do something to create a new trend so we can be ahead of time. So, this is a
gift from us to the city of Las Vegas.”
Customers place their order on one of the dozen tablet
stations in the bar or through the Tipsy Robot app on their smartphone. They
then pay with cash or credit card and enter their email address.
A QR code (barcode) is sent to the email, which the
customer places above various windows available. The barcode is scanned and the
drink is entered into the system. Patrons can see where their drink is in the
queue and are alerted when their order is up.
Each robot has access to more than 60 kinds of liquor,
and drinks can be mixed and poured into a 12-ounce plastic cup within 70
seconds.
“This is the most high-tech bar in the world, as the
robot can perform the duties of the bartender,” Armeni said. “It’s not just a
bar — it’s also an attraction and entertainment.”
Ice, lemon, limes and sugars are stored behind the wall
of the robots. Juices, sodas and liquors are housed above them.
Aside from perfect pours every time, Armeni said the
robots don’t spill and don’t waste any ingredients.
“They work to perfection, so everything the robots make
is perfect,” he said.
Tipsy Robot’s location at the Las Vegas Boulevard
entrance of the Miracle Mile Shops was chosen because of its heavy foot
traffic.
“We wanted to find a place where there was a lot of
people coming through,” Armeni said. “At this location, there is an average of
72,000 people coming through a day, so that was what sold it to us.”
A standard one-shot drink will run a customer $14, with
tax and gratuity included in the price. Additional shots and garnishes can be
added for an extra charge.
Technology that carries out human jobs won’t ultimately
replace flesh-bearing counterparts at bars, Armeni said.
“We have a human bar on the side, and the robotic bar is
mostly an attraction and entertainment,” Armeni said, “It’s no different from
the fountains at Bellagio and the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.”
The staff of 16 also includes the “Galactica
Ambassadors,” women dressed in space-themed metallic silver dresses. They will
provide guests an experience in addition to the robots’ moves, Armeni said.
“The robots are the attraction — the people will come
back for them (the employees),” Armeni said. “The human part to this is still
as important as the robotics. Our staff is about the loyalty to the customers.”
A technician is on hand if any problems should arise. The
techs also ensure the robot's self-cleaning system is working properly. Like
any quality bartender, they wash their “hands” between each drink.
“After each drink, they actually put their hands in a
steamer,” Armeni said.
The Tipsy Robot opens Friday and operates 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-midnight on Friday and Saturday.
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