# Ice-Breaking Interactive Bars The Icebreaker Machine Customizes Drinks to Start Conversations By Mishal Omar | Published 2016-06-07 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ice-breaking References: [creativity-online](http://creativity-online.com/work/tullamore-dew-icebreaker-machine/47553) & [theicebreakermachine](https://www.theicebreakermachine.com/home?year=1993) This ice breaking machine aims to help reduce the initial awkwardness in bar conversations. Designed by Irish whiskey brand 'Tullamore Dew', The Icebreaker Machine works by obtaining a QR code that the machine scans and creates a [custom drink](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-bartender) with. The machine uses information from the user's [Facebook](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-neighborator) 'likes' to determine which of 5,000 drinks it should give them, and bases that choice in music taste, TV shows and movies. Once the drink is received, it works as a [conversation starter for the socially anxious](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bar-dating-1) who do not fare well in bar situations. This ice breaking machine is a creative and potentially scene-changing idea for bars. While the machines are currently only in Swedish bars, the idea to design playful ways with which bar-goers can reduce awkward encounters will likely be a popular one. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.8/10 - Popularity: 79% | Activity: 87% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Interactive Drinks:** The integration of technology with social settings has brought about the demand for interactive drink design and creation. - **Social Media Personalization:** Using social media data to personalize drinks for customers is a growing trend in the food and beverage industry. - **Experience-driven Leisure:** The focus of bars is shifting towards enhancing customer experiences, making it an opportune time to introduce experiential technology like The Icebreaker Machine. ### Who This Affects Most - **Food and Beverage:** Restaurants and bars need to keep up with advancements in tech and customer demand for personalized experiences to stay competitive. - **Marketing and Advertising:** The trend towards personalization in the food and beverage industry presents a valuable opportunity for marketing and advertising companies to leverage customer data. - **Hospitality:** The integration of interactive technology into bars and restaurants is a disruptive innovation in the hospitality industry that can increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AI-Powered Bartenders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-bartender.md) - [AI-Powered Cocktail Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whats-your-cocktail.md) - [Dating-Style Bar Discovery Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bar-dating.md) - [Presence-Boosting Bar Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shes-got-a-tab.md) - [AI Cocktail Assistants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thirsty-bot.md) - [AI-Driven Robotic Beverage Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robotic-beverage-machine.md) - [Emotional Introspection Drinking Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glass-and-words.md) - [Automated Beverage Dispensing Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/automated-beverage-dispensing-solution.md) - [NFT Cocktail Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-skull-society.md)