If you like your bartender smooth with a metallic sheen who shakes, mixes, and serves up your drinks with precision instead of personality, then Tipsy Robot is just for you.
The strip's first partially robotic bar opens inside the Miracle Mile Shops Friday, with a grand opening and VIP preview party Thursday.
Rino Armeni, chairman of Robotic Innovations, says a world class city like Las Vegas needed a distinctive diversion.
"Las Vegas has always been behind the trends of New York by five or ten years," said Armeni. "This is the first time we're going to be ahead of the trends."
It's mesmerising, but simple. You place your order from a tablet. There's a set drink list, but it can be modified. Video displays alert customers when their drink is ready. And after retriving liquor from bottles hovering from the ceiling, the robot arms pour it into a cup.
Armani has always been fascinated by science.
"Since I was a boy, my dream was always to be the first man on the moon. I never made it, so I had to figure out something else to do," he said while chuckling.
Armani's business partner was inspired to create a robot bar after a trip to San Francisco. The duo paired up with Makr Shakr, a robotics company, and the idea for Tipsy Robot was born.
While the robots are clearly the stars here, the flesh and blood bartenders haven't been lost to automation. Guests can have a human prepare their drinks if they so desire.
"These robots are entertainment. They are an attraction for people," Armeni explained.
