A bikini barista is a woman who works as a barista, preparing and serving coffee beverages, while dressed in scanty attire such as a bikini, lingerie, or a crop top combined with bikini bottoms or hot pants. They are mostly women and work in tiny drive-thru stands throughout the Pacific Northwest, but they are now opening up stands in other states like California, Arizona, and Montana. The retail establishments that employ bikini baristas often adopt titillating names, including "Peek A-Brew", "Grab n Go", "Cowgirls Espresso", "Smokin Hot Espresso", "Knotty Bodies Espresso", "Java Jigglers", "Espresso Gone Crazy", "Espresso Gone Wild", "Java Girls", "Sweet Spot", "Fantasy Espresso", and "Natte Latte".

Bikini baristas have been a common sight in the region for more than a decade, but they have also caused controversy and complaints from local residents. Some people consider them sex workers, while others argue that they are just making coffee and conversation. Bikini baristas have been flashed and almost kidnapped, and they can get people that are pretty nasty towards them just because they are in a bikini. However, being a bikini barista has given some women a kind of confidence that they have never had before, and it teaches them how to handle uncomfortable situations and take control of situations when theyre not going their way, especially with men.

Being a bikini barista is an easy job for the amount of money they make, and it provides them both financial freedom and a social media niche. However, most bikini baristas do not see it as a sustainable career for themselves personally, and they do not want to be bikini baristas forever.