A robot in Greenpoint made my coffee because why not

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…