A Comprehensive Guide to Concept Cafes: Everything You Need to Know to Have Fun

What is a concept cafe?

Let's star by learning what exactly concept cafes are.

 

▶Concept cafe is abbreviated as concafe

Commonly abbreviated as "concafe," a concept cafe has interior design and girls wearing costumes, as well as a style of service based on a unique theme to create an out-of-the-ordinary experience. With maids being the most common theme, you will also see themes like nurse and idol.

 

▶Cafe-type and bar-type locations

There are two types of concept cafes from an operational perspective: cafe-style and bar-style.

Cafe-type: open from noon to enjoy food and activities

Cafe style locations have the following features:

 

Feature	Details
Hours	Noon to night
Fees	Table charge and 1 drink minimum
What to enjoy	Quality food and game activities

 

This style of concept cafe is open from noon to 9 p.m. or 11 p.m. You are required to pay the table charge and at least one drink. Cafe-style locations offer a variety of food items as well as game activities. This type of cafe you want to visit to experience the otaku culture, or simply the food menu.

Bar-type: open at night for drinking and chatting

Bar-type concept cafes became more common in recent years.

 

Feature	Details
Hours	Noon to early morning
Fees	All-you-can-drink usually included in set fee
What to enjoy	Drinking and talking with girls

 

Bar-type concept cafes are run like actual bars, opening in the evening and closing around the time the first train departs in the morning. That said, the set fee usually covers an all-you-can-drink option. What sets them apart from other bars is that you will be interacting with girls across the counter, who are dressed in uniforms of a specific theme.

What are the differences between concept cafes and maid cafes?

With all we talked about so far, you might be wondering what makes concept cafes different than maid cafes. Let's dive into this very topic.

 

▶Maid cafes are a type of concept cafe

Maid cafes are a type of concept cafe.

 

▶Maid cafes are... cafe-type locations, obviously

As the name implies, most maid cafes operate as cafes while others take the form of bars. Cafe-style locations offer various entertainment activities. You may have seen online how maids write letters or draw with ketchup on omelet rice while reciting "moe moe kyun." You can also take Polaroid photos with the girls.

What are the differences between concept cafes and girls bars?

Now let's talk about the differences between concept cafes and girls bars.

 

▶Having a theme or not

As mentioned earlier, each concept cafe has a unique theme that influences the menu items as well as how the employee uniforms look, such as maids, nurses, and Chinese outfits. Girls bars, on the other hand, don't have such themes and usually have girls wear regular clothes.

 

▶The distinction between concept cafes and girls bars is blurred

What sets concept cafes apart from girls bars has become quite unclear. With the biggest difference being whether the place has a theme, the pricing system and services are quite similar, and both types of establishments offer drinks and conversation to customers. Concept cafes are more for enjoying the unique themes, while girls bars are for simply enjoying drinking and chatting with girls.

Common themes of concept cafes

Now you might be thinking, "What themes of cafes are there?" The following are some of the most common ones:

 

▶Maid cafes

Maid cafes are by far the most common type of concept cafe. Customers will be called masters and served by employees dressed in maid outfits, as you may have seen online. One of the most famous services is the drawing on your omelet done by the girls reciting "moe moe kyun!"

 

▶Hospital/nurse-themed cafes

In hospital/nurse-themed concept cafes, customers play the role of patients as if they receive treatment from girls in nurse/doctor costumes. The costumes are often decorated with frills, and drinks are referred to as medicine or shots. Some locations even serve drinks in IV bags or beakers.

 

▶Chinese-themed cafes

Girls are dressed in Chinese-style dresses at Chinese-inspired concept cafes. You will notice the shapes of the girls' bodies quite well because of how the outfits are made and have slits. Many locations are known for having quality food items like sesame dumplings. Cafes that combine maid and Chinese themes are also becoming common.

 

▶Idol-themed cafes

Idol-style concept cafes await you with girls dressed in costumes inspired by the theme. You will notice how the girls at such locations are especially beautiful, and that's because they're usually active or former idols, making you feel like you're actually going to go see your favorite celebrities by taking photos with them or seeing them sing. Some cafes train girls to become professional idols and have them compete for popularity through the number of drinks they're given by customers, as well as likes on social media.

 

▶Men's Concept cafes

Concept cafes aren't just for men, as men's concept cafes are also becoming common among female customers. Note that those cafes aren't host clubs, so you will be interacting with employees across the counter just like any other concept cafe. Some common themes include butler, prince, and idol.

What makes concept cafes fun?

So what fun do concept cafes offer, you ask? Check out the details below so you will know exactly which type of theme matches your interests.

 

▶Each cafe's unique theme

What's unique about concept cafes is that you will see employees dressed in types of costumes that are often seen only in fictional media. This is why it's fun to even just explore the many themes.

 

▶Getting an out-of-the-ordinary experience

You will most likely pay about 2,000 - 4,000 yen for each visit. Cafe-style places will require you to pay a table charge and at least one drink. You may also order food and enjoy leisure, like taking photos and buying capsule items for an additional fee.

 

▶Talking with cute/handsome employees

Chatting with cute girls and handsome guys can be quite fun. You might even end up having a lot more fun once you find a favorite employee and become a regular.

How much is the average payment at concept cafes?

Now let's talk about the price points you should be expecting.

 

▶Cafe-type locations: 2,000 - 4,000 yen

You will most likely pay about 2,000 - 4,000 yen for each visit. Cafe style places will require you to pay a table charge and at least one drink. You may also order food and enjoy leisure like taking photos and buying capsule items for an additional fee.

 

 

Some locations have a beginner-friendly plan for about 4,000 yen, which covers the table charge, one drink, food items, and Polaroids.

 

▶Bar-type locations: 5,000 - 10,000 yen

Because bar-style locations are classified as nightlife establishments, the average payment goes up to roughly 5,000 - 10,000 yen. Most locations will charge a set fee that includes the table charge and an all-you-can-drink option. A service fee will also be added to the total payment.

 

 

Fun activities and prohibited actions

Lastly, let's go over some questions many first-timers have when making their concept cafe debut.

 

▶Examples of fun activities

Below are some examples of common leisure activities: 

Ketchup drawings on omu rice

Quite a tradition at maid cafes, the omu rice you order will be decorated with a ketchup drawing, usually cute illustrations or the kanji for "萌" (moe). After the drawing is done, you will have a session called aikome, in which you will cast spells like "moe moe kyun" on the omu rice with girls.

Live singing performances

Live performances by girls are frequently held at idol-themed concept cafes. You can see the girls sing and dance on stage from a very close distance. There are also locations where the performance is done by employees who are active as professional idols.

Taking polaroid photos

For roughly 500 - 1,500 yen, you can take a Polaroid photo, usually called a cheki, with the girl of your choice. Polaroid is originally the product name for Fujifilm's instant cameras, but the term is commonly used to refer to all sorts of instant cameras nowadays. The girl will usually write down your name and the date along with a simple message on your Polaroid. Polaroids are great souvenirs to keep for yourself.

 

Taking photos inside the cafe

Taking photos inside the cafe with your own device is strictly prohibited, unlike at many restaurants. Since most concept cafes offer Polaroid sessions as a paid service, taking photos by other means infringes upon the profit from the service. Another reason for this is that many girls prefer not to reveal that they're concept cafe employees so their family and friends won't find out. Any photo taken may leak their identity, and you could be banned from the cafe if you don't follow this rule. Be sure to check with the girls if you want to take photos of the food.

Sharing contact information

Sharing your contact with the girls is also not allowed, and doing so could have you banned from the cafe. Unlike hostess clubs and girls bars, where sharing your contact information is common, doing so at concept cafes is considered "having a connection" with employees, which goes against the rule. This rule was set in order to keep employees safe from stalkers. 

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is also strictly prohibited. Not only could you be banned, but it could also lead to a criminal case involving the police. Sexual harassment can also be verbal, especially at bar-style locations. It isn't uncommon for drunk customers to ask the girls about sexual topics and their body types.

Summary

Concept cafes are theme-based establishments with unique interior design, outfits, and menu items that make you feel like you're in another world. Some locations operate as bars, so choose the type of concept cafe that matches with your interests. YOASOBi CHOCOLAT can help you find the right cafe for you in the nightlife districts you explore with the details you need.