A robot in Greenpoint made my coffee because why not

Welcome to ‘I tried it,’ an ongoing series in which our reporters try novel or trendy experiences in New York — so you can decide if you want to.

On a hot afternoon in mid-July, I walked into Botbar on Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint to watch a controversial robot make me some coffee.

What made me want to try Botbar

It's safe to say we’ve all become accustomed to computers doing things for us. ChatGPT can write emails, and I’ve had entire meals at Newark International’s United terminal without talking to a single human.

But a barista bot felt novel: Most computers don’t have a presence.

There’s been buzz about the robot on social media, including a fiery comments section in a Greenpointers’ Instagram post. Many recoiled at the thought of a robot replacing jobs, messing up the humanity of the neighborhood, and drawing attention away from beloved coffee shops. A dominant theme: Shticks are for Williamsburg and Times Square. (Burn.)

While I didn’t love the dismissive and acidic tone of some of the comments, I get where folks are coming from. Would Botbar make me feel alone, alienated and adrift in a robot-driven dystopia none of us asked for?

I struggled to reconcile the concept with the convivial coffee shop experience I know and love — to the point where I kept wondering to myself, ‘Can you talk to the bot?’

What it was like to visit Botbar

Before heading to Botbar, I prepared myself for a cool, quiet, disorienting atmosphere. Goodbye Central Perk, hello Blade Runner. The robot would take care of me. Maybe I’d be vaguely aware of a human employee shuffling around out of sight in a store room.

I walked into Botbar and was immediately greeted by a remarkably friendly, wide-smiled staffer. “Hi! Welcome. Have you been here before?” He introduced himself as Izzy Serrano, Botbar's manager.

The robot loomed in the background. Thrillingly, it was much bigger than I’d expected. It sat on a countertop, its head reaching at least 6 feet above the floor, and its lengthy, multijointed and capable-looking arms achieving a wingspan at least that long. Its smooth, white, egg-shaped body and neon blue accent lighting had a distinctly pleasant Pixar vibe.

“I wasn’t sure if I’d talk to any people here,” I said.

“Ah,” Serrano responded. “The robot can make the coffee and free us up to interact with customers,” he said, ushering me to a large touchscreen where I’d tap in my order. “Get something cold so Adam can dispense the ice.”

“Adam?”

“Adam is the robot.”

I ordered an iced cappuccino with oat milk — the default milk at Botbar. Other varieties are available upon request.

With Daft Punk pumping lightly in the background, Adam quietly and adeptly moved his massive limbs: right arm for ice, left for espresso, right again to froth the milk, and then bring them together to pour the milk over the coffee.

I noted that his strong clawlike hands managed not to crush my plastic to-go cup. It took about two minutes — prompt enough for me, though Serrano said this was a little slow. With a coming software upgrade, Adam will be able to pump out 50 drinks per hour.

“Your iced cappuccino is ready,” Adam said in a robot voice that did remind me of Wall-E. “Good job, Adam,” I replied, in a tone I use with my dog.

I explained to Serrano that I’m a reporter, and he went to find the owner. Soon enough I was seated at a table with Sunny Lam, who purchased global exclusivity for the Botbar concept after “falling in love” with Adam at a trade show. There are plans to open locations in San Francisco, which is currently being built and equipped, as well as London, where construction is starting in January 2024. Lam hopes those will be forerunners to other spots around the world.

Why bring Botbar to Greenpoint? After a pause, Lam said, “It’s… fun!” noting that he likes Greenpoint for its young, educated community.

Lam, a Long Island resident, works in imports and exports. He never anticipated opening a cafe, or any retail-type space. But when he saw the smiles Adam inspired in folks even just in a trade show setting, Lam had a vision. “It brings people joy and it brings them together.”

Lam also noticed young parents coming in with their children. The kids wanted the robot to make their drinks, too. Now that’s in the works: kid-friendly sodas and other beverages, and a birthday party package (yes, Adam can sing and dance, and will eventually mix cocktails).

Lam also plans to launch a plant-based food menu.

He has seen the trepidation on social media. He’s welcoming feedback. “We need your support, we need your comments. Good, bad… OK! We want to stay and do what’s right. Our goal is small scale, new scale, not a vending machine. We love human.”

What to know before you go

The coffee is good, but not cheap.

My oat milk iced cappuccino was rich and creamy, made with a Colombian and East African blend. At $5.50 plus tax, it’ll set you back only a few cents more than Starbucks. Botbar sources its beans from Specialty Coffee Association.

It’s kid-friendly.

The three other parties who filtered through Botbar while I was there had preschoolers in tow. They munched on vegan pastries and Jane’s Ice Cream while their parents did the important work of caffeinating.

The menu may change.

Botbar is still in “soft opening” mode. As such, the plant-based menu is still in development, with “pop-up” menus available on weekends. Like any 2023 start-up, Lam is committed to a test-and-learn approach.

It's a warm environment.

Verdict: I did not feel cold and alienated. Botbar’s vibe was plenty human on the day I visited, and that trade-show vision Lam spoke of wasn’t far off. Smiling customers and employees stood together and watched the robot do its thing. I’m not sure I felt joy, but it was definitely fun.