Concept 

Established in 2005, and based in the California Bay Area, Butler Cafe V is the first butler cafe in the United States. All the butlers are volunteers and strive to be gentlemen, so please refer to them using male pronouns. All ages are welcome to our events, unless specifically noted.

We encourage our guests to discuss their interests and hobbies with our butlers. Cafe V is a safe space for everyone, including fans of Asian pop culture, street fashion, and people who are on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. We encourage guests who are cosplaying to interact with butlers in character if they so wish.

A typical event consists of refreshments and drinks along with a wide variety of entertainment. Cafe V incorporates aspects of interactive improv theater into its performances. The aim is to entertain our patrons, usually at the expense of our butlers' dignity. Audience interaction is highly encouraged, but our butlers will never forcibly put a guest in an awkward or embarrassing position. That is what the butlers are there for. There are also skits, raffles, auctions and other surprises! We are always changing and expanding our repertoire, so no two events are ever the same.

Butler Cafe V initially started as an annual convention pop up event in 2005. After rebranding in 2010, Butler Cafe V has held dozens of events. Many Butler Cafe V events are done in partnership with local businesses and non-profit venues. After the Orlando Pulse shooting in 2014, Butler Cafe V introduced a fundraising component to their events whenever possible. In 2018, BCV shifted to doing larger community events that feature local vendors, performers, and international guests. In October of 2021 Butler Cafe V was awarded an Anti-Hate Community Engagement grant by Santa Clara County to partially fund Garden of Unity, a community building event in April 2022, allowing them to have a free attendance option, which was not possible at prior events. BCV is hoping to host more free events in the future, and we are open to collaborating with other groups that wish to host inclusive events.

We are always looking for motivated, high energy volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please be aware that a large portion of the work occurs before the actual event; advertising (both online and in reality), creating promotional material, game design, creating artwork, and assembling favors/decorations, among many other tasks. During the event volunteers help serve food, prepare drinks, take photos, assist patrons, decorate the venue, and of course, perform improv games if they wish. It’s a great opportunity to experiment with masculine self-expression and practice performing in front of a very kind group of people.

We are looking for staff who live in the San Francisco Bay Area and have their own transportation. We need outgoing, calm, well groomed and charming staff who can think on their feet. Prior food, performance, and/or customer service experience, in particular, bartending and serving, is a huge plus. If you are not interested in being part of the interactive staff, but still wish to be involved, we are looking for more kitchen and event prep staff as well.

Please contact us if interested and we will arrange for an interview.