Welcome to Maid Cafes 101 Please be sure to check the Table of Contents to find what you are looking for!
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 2:00 am
Table of Contents Rules Maid cafe 101 Anatomy of a Maid Uniform List of Cafes around the world FAQ + question link Featured Maid Cafe Video of the Week
Rules Please be Respectful to all in this thread There is no dumb question so ask away! Please keep all comments and conversations on a PG-13 level. We're all adults here so act like it~ Have fun and stick around!
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 2:02 am
Maid Cafes; A Brief History
Maid cafes originated in the year 2001 in Akibara, Japan wth the first cafe being established being Cure Maid Cafe Cure was a very traditional styled restaurant serving no entertainment, just the company of the maids. Shortly after @Home Cafe appeared and helped mold what we know was the Maid Cafe now, with a blend of entertainment and high energy with a good meal. Now most cafe’s have their own Idol groups, and Solo artists who will go out into the streets and do live performances to draw in customers.
Now cafes are popping up all over the world following this trend.
Types of Cafes Cafes typically depend on what the venue is for an event, and whether they are based strictly as a business or a convention.
@Home Styled: This is the term that has been used to describe Convention based cafes that provide entertainment with a meal. While brick store styled cafes can use this concept as well, it is more commonly seen with a con cafe. These groups will have different board games to play with customers, as well as performing dances on a stage. They will also hold full games involving the entire cafe for prizes. Each cafe is different though and these items depend on the venue and the vision of the cafe.
Cure Style: Cure style is pretty much like going to a regular restaurant with your waitress or waiter being in a maid or butler uniform. it is a bit more traditional in the sense that there is only light music in the background, no entertainment or games. The maid may spend time at the table with the guest however they are not there the entire time. This is a bit more popular with older guests who prefer a laid back setting.
Why go to a Maid Cafe?
Now this is entirely different from person to person. The whole concept to the cafe is to give a comfortable and homely feeling to the guest. Con Cafe’s create a whole new world outside of the con. Once you are inside the cafe you really are cut off from the rest of the convention and a whole different atmosphere. Some come to rest from the con away from the crowds. some come because they love the entertainment and the idea of the cafe.
Traditionally though, they were created for business men to come and relax after a days work before going home, a place where they could feel like the master of a mansion.
Every Cafe has their own uniform design, however there is a standard to the uniform that deems it a “Maid Cafe” styled uniform, versus a French Maid uniform.
Parts of the uniform;
Head Band: typically these are a headband with a stiffened piece of fabric or lace on top of it, some cafes do opt for the flat styled lolita band.
Dress: Dresses are fairly basic, while most cafes do a black and white scheme, ones like @Home and several others take on colors, pictured above is @Home’s Chocolate colored uniform, all the uniforms within this cafe all share this basic color, while each maid picks an accept color (blues, pinks, greens) to bring out their personality. A lot of cafes have adopted letting their maids pick different colored uniforms within a certain spectrum, EX; My own cafe has all pastel colored dresses ranging from Lilacs to Mint green. The Structure of the dresses depends on the cafe as well, while most pick the baby doll alice styled bodice (pictured above), some will go with V-scooped necklines, to even having Yukata styled uniforms, pictured from my own groups “Festival” styled Uniform.
Apron: Aprons are a must have accessory! what kind of maid doesn’t have an apron? Apron style depends on the cafes chosen design, however some cafes allow the girls to range their aprons according to personal taste. Some will opt for a half apron that just goes around the waist. Some may chose to have a full apron that ether has a high waist band, or a full panel on the chest area of the bodice. Some may do Jumper styled straps, or cross in the back, these are all based off the personal preference and chosen cafes designs. However the aprons are the typical accessory area that cafes will allow the girls to personalize. So some girls may adorn buttons with series that they like, or they might attach a 2-way broach that compliments the outfit, or even bows.
Petticoat: While most groups who perform require one for safety measures, not all cafes require these. This depends on the design of the uniform and the skirt style.
Bloomers: Not required by some groups, but recommended. similar to safety pants that singers wear for modesty
Socks/Tights: This is depending on the uniform as well that the cafe has chosen, most chose to have knee high and above as part of the uniform. Some cafes for summer will allow ankle socks. Color depends on the cafes design as well, though most do chose a white.
Shoes: Shoes are typically Mary Jane styled shoes. They give the best support for the maid especially when performing. Heels or flats depends on the cafe and personal preference. Shoes are normally black, some cafes though will allow a white if it is part of the design.
Accessories: These are more of a personal preference, and also what the cafes dress codes allow. Accessories range from things such as wrist cuffs, to bracelets and necklaces, hair pieces, and even the apron personalization.
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 2:07 am
List of Cafes Around the World
Japan
@home Cafe Cafe La Vie En Rose Closed Cafe Mai:lish Cafe Pinafore Cafe Tiara Candy Fruit Strawberry Cafe Cos-Cha Cafe Cure Maid Cafe Filles Cafe Galson Prince (Butler Cafe) Hand Maid Cafe Hibari Kei (MTF/Crossdress) HoneyHoney Cafe Little BSD Little PSX Little TGV MaiDreamin' Maid Train Maid Station Cafe M.I.A. Cafe Moekon Cafe MoeMoeKyun Cafe Mononopu Samurai Cafe Pinky Cafe Pondychery Etoile PoPoPuRe Closed Queen Dolce (FTM/Dansou) Royal Milk Royal Servant (Butler Cafe) Swallow Tail (Butler Cafe) St. Grace Court (Nun Cafe) Wonder Parlour
USA
Akiba (San Fransisco B&M) AniMaid Cafe (SoCal Touring Cafe) Apple Kissa Maid Cafe (NewYork Convention Cafe) On Hiatus At Your Service Cafe (Arizona Convention Cafe) Cafe Ai (Iowa Convention Cafe) Cafè au Lait (Central Florida Butler & Maid Cafe) Cafe Delish (Anime North Convention Cafe) Cafe Hoshi (Sacramento Convention Cafe) Cafe Peko Peko (Kissimmee/Orlando, Florida Convention Cafe) Cherry Tea (Maryland Convention Cafe) Chou Anime (Detroit, Michigan B&M) Closed Delightful Kiss Cafe (Chicago Event Cafe) DiscoMaidCafe (Rancho Cucamonga) Doki Doki Maid Cafe (Socal Convention/Traveling Cafe) FaniMaid Cafe (San Jose, CA Convention Cafe) Fleur Royale Maid Cafe (Chicago, IL Covention and Event Cafe) Hime Moe Maid Cafe (University of West Florida's resident Maid Cafe) Honey Tea Maid Cafe (Missouri/Illinois Area Convention Maid & Butler Cafe) Ichigo Cafe (Nevada Convention cafe) Closed 愛 Ichigo Latte Maid & Butler Café (So. Jersey/Philadelphia Convention and Event Cafe) Imperial Maid Cafe (Atlanta Convention Cafe) Kinu Café (Fresno, CA; Convention and Event Café) Kira Kira Maids (Texas Performance Troupe/Convention Cafe) Lovely Heart Maid Cafe (Hampton Roads, Virginia event cafe) Maid Cafe NY (NYC B&M cafe, offshoot of Moe Moe Honey) Maid Of Hearts Cafe (Pittsburgh Touring Maid Cafe) Mobile Maid Cafe (Honolulu, HI, Food Truck) Closed Moe Maid Cafe (Philadelphia Event Cafe) Moe Moe Honey (New York City Event Cafe) Mochi cafe (SanDiego Convention Cafe) My Cup of Tea (Virginia Convention Cafe) Nana Cafe (Puerto Rico) Neko Neko Maid and Host Club (East/West Coast Convention Cafe) Neko wo Kaburu Maid Cafe (Indiana Event Cafe) Our Pleasure Maid Cafe (online) Pretty Maid Cafe (Las Vegas B & M cafe) Closed Royal/T (Los Angeles B&M) Closed Sakura Moe Cafe (Texas Convention Cafe) Shinju Sky Maid & Butler Cafe (Secaucus, NJ Convention Cafe) Starlight Garden Café (New York Convention & Events Cafe) Sugar Pink Cafe (Arizona Event Cafe) Sweet Heart Maid Cafe (Las Vegas Touring Cafe) Tea Time Cafe (Bay Area Touring Cafe, California) Tenshi No Ai (Touring Cafe, NY,NJ & MA) Tokari Maid Cafe (Southern Cali touring cafe/lounge) Tomo Neko Cafe (Los Angeles, Touring Cafe) Yume Cafe (Bayamon, Puerto Rico; Convention and Event Cafe) Yu x me: Maid Cafe & Host Club (Hawaii Convention and Event Cafe)
Mexico
Café Kawaii Maid Latte Flowers Maid Cafe (Mexico City) House Maid Cafe (Mexico City) Neko Neko Maid Cafe (San Luis Potosi) Oishii Maid Cafe (San Luis Potosí) Oshimai! Maid Cafe (Monterrey) Shiroitsuki Cafe Cosplay (Guadalajara, Jalisco) Petit Rose Love Cafe (Coatzacoalcos) Tsukiyomi Maid Café (Mexico City) LiJiang Maid Cafe (Monterrey) Suki Suki Moe Maid Cafe (Nayarit) Maid & Butler Cafe (Tlaxcala) Maid Tea Party (Querétaro) Oishi Maid Cafe (Hidalgo) Neko Cosplay Cafe (Oaxaca) Hanabi Cosplay Cafe( Guanajuato) Sweet Nightmares ( Cancún )
Chile
Akiba Maid Cafe (Santiago) Bara no Service (Valparaiso) Closed Heisei Maid Cafe (Iquique) Kawaii Bakery Maid (Santiago) Maid Onigiri Army (Iquique) Meido (Santiago) Moe Moe Maid (Concepción) Onegai Café (Santiago) Rainbow Maid Cafe (Santiago) Red Ribbon (Santiago) Tanuki Maid (Santiago) Tsukishiro Maid Cafe(Puerto Montt) Usagi Latte Maid Coffee(Viña Del Mar)
United Kingdom
Ai My Maid Maids Of England: MOE Marshmallow Dreams Maid Cafe (Glasgow, Scotland Event Cafe) Sweet Cupcake Cafe (North West England) Tea Prince Butler Cafe (London, England) Maid In Scotland
Taiwan
Dolly Maid Fatimaid Maiden Diner Maiden School Maid Garden of Flowers (女僕花園)
As questions get asked I will add them here! I will try to answer questions as they appear in the thread, however you can also send me questions here! I will try and do a batch answer daily or weekly depending on how many questions I'm given,
Reply
