Techno Café

Description: Experience coffee like never before at Techno Café, where our robotic barista crafts premium espresso drinks with precision. Our stunning industrial space features soaring 20-foot columns, floor-to-ceiling windows, and multiple seating areas perfect for working, meeting, or relaxing. Enjoy locally-made pastries in our quiet, welcoming atmosphere. Free parking available in garage. Come see why we're Rock Hill's must-visit coffee destination!

Comments: A fully automated coffee shop. No baristas, just robots making the drinks. My first reaction? That sounds soulless, heartless, anti-human. Like it's putting baristas out of work and killing one of the main reasons people go to coffee shops in the first place. The vibes, the human interaction, the sense of community that makes a third place feel alive. But the owners kept all the right things. Cozy interior design, a good amount of seating, and little nooks and corners to settle into. They just automated the barista and ordering part. It's still a warm, comfortable place to hang out. It's just that the drinks aren't "made with love" so much as they're "made with precision."

The shop sits inside the Rock Hill Event Center, which has a restaurant and all sorts of things going on, including the American Cornhole League Headquarters. Walk around the entire building if you visit. There's a very cool history of Rock Hill on display, including a model train set telling the story of the building before it became an event space. The whole thing makes for a great day trip from Charlotte.

The café itself isn't super huge, but every corner has seating and there's good access to outlets. It is a great spot for working remotely. There's a cute, artsy corner with half walls that's perfect for focusing. No hot tea from the machine, which is my thing, but all the coffee options are there. Pastries from local bakers (Wild Flour Sweets and The Daily Dough), snacks, and even store merch are available from vending machines.

I'm not a coffee person, so I can't speak to the quality of the brews, but everyone there seemed satisfied. Empire Pizza, right across from the building, is said to be pretty good too. If you're reading this, definitely check it out and form your own opinion.