Robot drinks stir man vs machine debate

Bartenders at risk

Christopher Udemans, a writer at technology blog Technode who attended the soft launch of Ratio, said he expects such "hybrid" cafes and bars to become more common. But he also stressed the importance of the human element.

"With rising rates of automation, it would make sense to delegate repetitive tasks to robots. However, I hope that complete automation in such an environment doesn't arrive," he said.

"It's great being able to go into a bar and have a chat with the bartender, even if they are just there for interacting with customers and not making drinks."

Bheki Mhlanga, a Ratio customer, said that such a concept could be a big hit in Shanghai, noting that trends take off very quickly in the city. He also thinks that some bartenders could lose their jobs to machines.

"The top bartenders would probably be safe. But those who aren't as highly skilled could eventually be replaced by machines. The cocktail I had at Ratio was actually pretty good. I wouldn't say it's top notch, but it's comparable to what you'd get at a mid-range bar in Shanghai," he said.

"Maybe this automation drive could even push bartenders to constantly improve their skills in order to stay relevant."

But like Udemans, Mhlanga is not too keen about total automation.

"Is a fully automated bar possible? Yes. Is it needed? Maybe not," he said.

"A bar is a social venue, not a factory."