Author: Pixie Tan

First thing’s first, what exactly is a cosplay cafe? Well, it’s a cafe where you’re served adorably customised food and drinks by servers in costumes. These cafes have been around since the late 1990s to 2000s and originated from Akihabara, Japan, but have since grew in popularity all over the world.

There are several variants of these cosplay cafes which determines the interior decoration, atmosphere, and the way the staff dress and treat customers accordingly. Let’s jump right into it.

1. Maid Cafes

Image credit: Pinterest

Arguably the most famous of all the cosplay cafe types, maid cafes have their staff (all female) dressed in French maid costumes. Upbeat, cute, and accommodating, these girls bring to life the typical anime maid, almost making you believe that you’re in a live-action manga. They even refer to you as ‘Master’ and ‘Mistress’!

Here are a few maid cafes all over the world!

Her Majesty’s Mansion, Malaysia

Image credit: Facebook/ Her Majesty's Mansion

If you think maid cafes are an absurd concept that only exist in faraway countries, here’s one that operates in Malaysia itself. Her Majesty’s Mansion is an event-based maid and butler cafe that was founded by a Malaysian cosplayer in 2017. Being an event-based cafe, Her Majesty’s Mansion does not have a fixed location. Check their Facebook page for updates on their events and upcoming locations.

Cure Maid Cafe, Japan

Image credit: jw_webmagazine

This is the maid cafe that started it all! Instead of pink frills and cat ears that most maid cafes are famous for, Cure Maid Cafe has a more sophisticated vibe to it. Set in a Victorian-esque era, classy music is played softly in the background while the maids here are more demure and professional than perky and upbeat.

Address: Japan, 〒101-0021 Tokyo, Chiyoda, Sotokanda, 3 Chome−15−５ ジーストア・アキバ6F

Hours: 11AM - 8PM daily

Contact: +81 3 3258 3161

Website: www.curemaid.jp

Meian Maid Cafe

Image credit: meianmaids

Based in the UK, this maid cafe is similar to Her Majesty’s Mansion – it does not have a fixed location. Instead of the usual cutesy maid act, this pop-up cafe’s maids don uniforms with a sweet or spooky theme. Another charming characteristic of this cafe that makes it stand out is the fact that it isn’t for profit and every event it holds donates all proceeds to charities. Check out their website for updates on their next event!

Website: www.meianmaids.com

2. Butler Cafes

Image credit: anime-expo

Butler cafes are, well, the gender-bent version of maid cafes. After all, we’re all for gender equality in this day and age, right? So if cutesy serving girls are not your taste, perhaps you’ll enjoy having well-dressed and groomed men bringing your food to you instead. The uniforms worn by the staff can vary from cafe to cafe, but generally, butlers would be dashingly dressed in waiter uniforms or tuxedos.

Take a look at these butler cafes!

Swallowtail Butler Cafe

Image credit: Swallowtail Butler Cafe

Arguably the most famous butler cafe of all time, would-be guests of Swallowtail Butler Cafe are required to reserve places online in advance before being able to dine there. Furnished with beautiful chandeliers and rich velvet curtains, both the interior design and courteous attitude of the staff will make you believe, at least for a little while, that you’re actually back home with your personal butler.

Address: Japan, 〒101-0021 Tokyo, Chiyoda, 外神田3丁目15-6 小暮末広ビル4F

Phone: +81 3 3252 2031

Website: www.butlers-cafe.jp/swallowtail/company/reserve_en.html

La Petite Fox Cafe

Image credit: Facebook/La Petite Fox Cafe

If Japan is a little further than you’d like to go for a meal, then pay La Petite Fox Cafe a visit! While this event-based company does not have a physical location, it does open regularly at events, with its last being Comic Fiesta 2018. Staffed by both butlers and maids, you won’t want to pass up this unique experience. Stay tuned to their Facebook page for more updates!

Queen Dolce

Image credit: Metropolis Japan

Alright, you got me, this one isn’t strictly a butler cafe. Choosing not to stick to the conventional, Queen Dolce offers a new spin on the butler cafe theme. At first glance, one may not notice anything amiss as the attire and attitude of the staff are the same as most butler cafes. The change is in one tiny detail – the butlers are made up entirely of girls. Besides operating as a cafe, Queen Dolce also functions as a bar with each butler having their own signature drink to offer.

Address: Japan, 〒101-0021 Tokyo, Chiyoda, 外神田3丁目15-6 小暮末広ビル4F

Hours: 2PM-10PM on weekdays, 1PM-10PM on weekends

Phone: +81 3-3252-2031

Website: http://akibakotower.com/queen-dolce/

3. Tsundere Cafes

Image credit: Facebook/Suba Toki Cafe

You may have heard of tsunderes before. The term ‘tsundere’ was coined from ‘tsun tsun’, which means to turn away from disgust, and ‘dere dere’, which means to be lovey dovey with someone. Hence, a tsundere is a girl who is is initially very cold towards others, but who shows a friendlier side over time. This type of character development is very common in many animes, and the characters can often change moods without warning.

What does this have anything to do with cafes, you’re asking? Well, in tsundere cafes, all the servers would play the part of a tsundere, so instead of expecting cheery staff such as you would in a maid cafe, you will be served by a temperamental waitress, who may insult and humiliate you or serve you pleasantly. It’s definitely an exciting experience, to say the least.

Here are some tsundere cafes!

Nagomi Cafe

Image credit: Nagomi Cafe

Translating to ’younger sister’, Nagomi Cafe’s staff act as a younger sibling would towards you- cold at times, and very welcoming at others. Renown for being the first ever tsundere cafe, Nagomi Cafe has brought even more attention to the concept of tsundere and how people can portray it. Curious travellers should check the cafe out just for the unique experience.

Address: Zenitani 2F, Soto-Kanda 1-8-4, Chiyoda-ku, Japan

Suba Toki Cafe

Image credit: Facebook/Suba Toki Cafe

Outside of Japan, tsundere cafes are a bit rarer and are often pop-ups – meaning it will only be there for a short while. Suba Toki Cafe held a tsundere cafe event awhile back in 2018, and might be planning more themed cafes in the future!

Address: 71 Woodlands Industrial Park E9, Wave 9, #09-04, Luminos, Singapore 757048

Website: www.facebook.com/subatoki

4. Horror-themed Cafes

Image credit: zetizen

If you’re wondering where you could kill time (pun intended) in Japan, you could try one of the horror-themed cafes. The servers will be dressed as all sorts of ghastly creatures, from vampires to zombies, and the food served will have horrid names and look… well, mouldy and unappetising. If you’re a fan of horror, check these places out!

Vampire Cafe

Image credit: Tabido

Only open for dinner, (since vampires only roam around at night) Vampire Cafe serves its customers in half-darkness, adding to the all-around spooky atmosphere. Don’t be alarmed when the food arrives, as all the dishes are adorned with spooky-looking decorations or have some art drawn in glaze on them. The servers are, as expected, dressed as vampires and all have fitting names, so if you want to be served by a mysterious figure half cloaked in darkness, this is the place for you.

Address: La Paix, Building 7F 6-7-6 Ginza Chuou-ku, Tokyo

Hours: 5:00PM - 11:00PM daily (last orders taken at 10:00PM)

Phone: +81 03 3289 5360

Website: www.diamond-dining.jp/shop_info/vampire/

Night Gallery Cafe Crow

Image credit: ikimasho

Every month, this respectable cafe is turned into a horror scene, and customers are served by a snarling mess of blood-splattered zombies. This monthly special is called Zombie Bar. Offering a range of alcoholic drinks such as Zom-beer, and Cocktail of Zombie Virus, the bar adds new drinks to its menu every month, each concoction better than the last. If you don't mind hanging out with a bunch of undeads, check this place out.

Address: F Rock and Rock Building, 7-8-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku

Hours: 3PM - 9PM, open on selected Sundays only

Phone: +81 03-3497-9119

Website: www.zombiena.net/p/zombie-bar.html

The Lock-Up: Dungeon Cafe

Image credit: apetiteforjapan

Dare you go down a sketchy stairway and open the big rusted doors to a prison-themed cafe? After confessing to a crime, customers are handcuffed to a staff member dressed in a police uniform, and led to holding cells. Stick around long enough, and you might even get to experience a prison break!

Address: Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Udagawa-cho, Shibuya 33-1 Grant Tokyo Building B2

Hours: 5:00PM – 1:00AM on Mondays to Thursdays, 4:00PM – 4:00AM on Fridays and Saturdays, 4:00PM – 12:00AM on Sundays and holidays

Phone: +81 03 3837 0086

Website: www.lock-up.jp

5. Ninja-Themed Cafes

Image credit: japan-travel

When we think Japan, we think of ninjas. So of course ninja cafes are on this list too. Scant lighting, servers dressed in traditional ninja garb, and the added bonus of the occasional waiter pulling out a sword or knife; what more could we possibly want from a dining experience?

Look at these cafes!

Ninja Akasaka

Image credit: minube

If you want to dine here, you’ll have to find it first! (You can’t expect a ninja-themed restaurant to have its entrance in the open, can you?) The entrance is obscure, and there's a labyrinth of confusing passages leading to who-knows-where. Add that to the whisper-quiet presence of the servers and you can’t help but love the dedication to the theme! A huge bonus is that many reviews say the food doesn’t only look great, but tastes amazing as well – which is rare for a themed restaurant.

Address: Japan, 〒100-0014 Tokyo, Chiyoda, 永田町２丁目１４−３ 赤坂東急プラザ1階

Hours: 5:00PM - 10:30PM on Mondays to Saturdays, 5:00PM - 9:45PM on Sundays

Phone: +81 3-5157-3936

Website: www.ninjaakasaka.com

Shinobazu Ninja Cafe

Image credit: Shinobazu Ninja Cafe

How does one look cute and menacing at the same time? Ask the servers at Shinobazu Ninja Cafe! Ever so often the waitresses would trade in their uniforms for a different theme for the night, so if you’re lucky, you might just catch them in shrine girl outfits or cheongsams!

Address: 土屋ビル2･3･4F, 1 Chome-2-3, Sotokanda, Chiyoda, 〒101-0021 Tokyo, Japan

Hours: 3PM - 10PM on Tuesdays to Fridays, 12PM - 10PM on Saturdays and Sundays, closed on Mondays

Phone: +81 3-6260-8313

Website: shinobazu-cafe.com/english/