The five bikini baristas - coffee shop workers in Everett, north of Seattle, US - are facing prostitution charges for putting on sex shows for customers in return of cash.

The five baristas work in bikini coffee shops where the staff is required to wear swimsuits, but they are said to have gone further by wearing thongs and nipple tassels.

According to the police, the five indulged in lewd behaviour bordering on the obscene, and have been accused of charging up to 80 dollars to let customers fondle or photograph them as they put on erotic shows.

They face court dates on prostitution charges later this month.

"This is not Malibu Barbie standing at a coffee stand selling coffee. We had citations for prostitution. That's totally different," the Sun quoted City of Everett spokeswoman Kate Reardon as saying.

Dozens of bikini coffee shops, with names like Brewlesque, Twin Perks and Java Juggs, have sprung up in the Seattle area as competition for customers mounted.

Bill Wheeler, who runs four Grab-N-Go bikini espresso stands in the Everett area, said the prostitution charges has damaged business.