Become a Fanimaid

Welcome to FanimeCon’s very own Fanimaid Cafe! Our auditions will begin in January, so here is everything you need to know about becoming part of the Fanimaid family. Remember to follow us on our Facebook page for the latest announcements.

The basic requirements for volunteering for Fanimaid Cafe:

  1. You must identify as female. We understand that this label is imperfect and doesn’t encompass everyone, so feel free to reach out about any questions you may have. We are strictly a maid-only cafe, no butlers.
  2. Be 18 years of age by FanimeCon—we will be doing ID checks.
  3. Provide your own housing, transportation, and approved uniform.

What kind of volunteers are we looking for?

While we’re fairly easy-going and open about the people we invite into our cafe family, there are a few things we look for! (This is a family-friendly operation and being a maid is completely NON-SEXUAL.)

  1. You love anime/manga/games and have an interest in maid cafes, moe-kei, and Akiba culture!
  2. You want to learn how to be a maid, dress up in a cute maid uniform, and meet people!
  3. You’re willing to interact with patrons and partake in fun conversations, games, and take photos!
  4. You’re willing to dedicate at least 4+ hours per day on Saturday and Sunday for cafe shifts, and a one-hour meeting on Friday. We stress that volunteering with us will require a big time commitment out of your FanimeCon weekend, so please bear this in mind.
  5. You’re willing to be on a team with a bunch of cute maids and give it your all to make Fanimaid Cafe as awesome as ever!!!

A PLUS would be (not required nor do they affect your eligibility for joining):

  1. You have serving experience in a restaurant
  2. You’re interested in performing on Stage Zero or in the cafe with your fellow maids.
  3. You’ve been to a maid cafe in Japan and are knowledgeable of related subjects.

Disability Accommodations

Accommodations can be provided for most disabilities. Let us know as soon as possible if you will require any accommodations.

Our Mission

By fostering an inclusive community through friendship and service, Fanimaid Cafe brings authentic Akiba Maid culture to the Bay Area.

We are a trans-inclusive space and support our female-aligned maids who come from all backgrounds, regardless of sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, or religion.

Is this a paid position?

Being a Fanimaid is an unpaid volunteer role and is not a compensated job. As a thank you, all Fanimaids will receive a free full weekend badge and discounted staff hotel rates.

Audition Process

Tryouts for Fanimaid Cafe are typically held in person in San Jose and San Francisco. You will need to pass ONE audition to volunteer, which means you only need to attend ONE of our auditions. Upon passing, you must keep up with email updates and announcements and attend a mandatory meeting on Friday evening of FanimeCon.

Tryouts:

  • Thank you for your interest, but our 2026 recruitment cycle has already ended! We typically recruit during January each year, and the best place to stay up to date on our next recruitment cycle for Fanimaid Cafe 2027 is through our Facebook page!

Please send an email to maidcafe@fanime.com if you have any questions or require any accommodations regarding the tryout dates.

What do I need to bring to the audition?

  • The audition will consist of an orientation on maid duties, a brief lesson of cafe culture, and an interview. Extra preparation is not necessary.
  • Government-issued ID
  • Surgical or N95 mask
  • We recommend bringing pen and paper for note-taking.

What should I wear to the tryout?

  • You do not need to wear a maid uniform to the tryout. Recommended attire for our audition is something cute and comfortable.

Do I need to have a uniform before auditioning? Do you have a required uniform?

  • We have an approval process and guidelines set for uniform selection. Please do not purchase your uniform in advance, as it may not meet our guidelines. If you already have a maid uniform, it will be subject to approval by Fanimaid Staff before you can wear it in the cafe.

How much time will I need to dedicate to the maid café as a volunteer?

  • Volunteers are expected to complete one shift on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Volunteers are required to attend a mandatory training meeting on Friday evening of the convention.
  • Volunteers are expected to complete online training materials by their set deadlines.
  • Performing during Fanimaid Live is not required.

Fanimaid Cafe is a fun experience, and many of us have made irreplaceable memories and grown together with our friends, as well as found many opportunities through our event. We welcome you to join our family, make friends, work hard, and most of all, enjoy yourself! Our staff consists of knowledgeable, helpful, and supportive people who work to make Fanimaid Cafe a great team to be a part of. Being a maid is a lot of hard work, but if you’re willing to give it your all, we promise you that it’ll be a memorable experience.

We hope to see you soon!

Let’s go Fanimaid! Moe moe kyun~!