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Original poster

Has anyone been to a Cat Cafe

28 replies

Jjacobb · 07/07/2019 20:44

If so can you tell me about it please.
I love cats and have always had at least two.
Haven't had one for a few years now for various reasons. I miss having one around so much.
Dh has just told me he's made a booking for us to have afternoon tea at a cat cafe in New Forest.
I've read the rules and understandably people are not allowed to approach the cats, if a cat comes to you it's ok to stroke them.
I'm worried, cats are snooty little fuckers, I want cuddles but dh says I'm not allowed to empty a tin of tuna in my handbag to tempt them
Am I going to be disappointed.

OP posts:
MadamePompadour · 07/07/2019 20:47

I went to one in Nottingham. Cats are very tame and came over. Cats running around everywhere. Lots of cat toys like little fishing rod type things which you can use to entice them over.

MadamePompadour · 07/07/2019 20:48

Oh and the last time we went one did actually jump in my carrier bag of shopping. No tuna, only clothes. I was tempted to make a run for the door with it! Grin

Ameo · 07/07/2019 20:48

I went to one in Shoreditch and to be honest it was a bit grim. Hot and smelly! (I am a cat lover, we have two!). Cats did come for a cuddle and you could give them treats but I’m not sure I would visit again

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MummytoCSJH · 07/07/2019 20:53

I've been to quite a few, I love them! Worth a visit.

Rockbird · 07/07/2019 20:59

I've often wondered about opening one. There isn't one anywhere near here and I'm sure it would go down well.

Fenellapitstop · 07/07/2019 20:59

I sometimes go to a cat pub in Bristol. It's a lovely place to spend some time, cash only, no kids at all, decent proper beer

BertieBotts · 07/07/2019 21:01

I've been to one in the city where I live in Germany.

I always feel a bit torn. Ethically I don't especially like the idea of people using animals for profit/entertainment, and it always seems a little bit sad for the cats (who can't be let out as it's in the middle of a town centre) but OTOH the cats do seem happy, and it is wonderful to have a cuddle with a cat when it's not possible to own your own.

I would recommend going at a time when it's not too busy, and especially when there are no children around. So weekday mornings during term time are best if you ever have time then. Secondly, plan to be disappointed on your first visit - because you will need to have a bit of a scout around to see where the cats tend to go to relax. For example, ours has booth seating and a long bench across one edge of the café. The first time we went we didn't think about where to sit and tended to get more fly-by cats. Now I always go for the booths and if not that, the long bench, because the cats tend to curl up there and occasionally climb onto your lap.

It does seem like they specifically choose cats for the cafe who are easygoing, friendly and sociable. I think all the ones at ours are previously rescue cats, so they could see their personalities first.

Ours is also hot. I assume because they literally never open the windows in case the cats suicide out.

EskewedBeef · 07/07/2019 21:02

I went to one in Manchester. There were lots of friendly cats looking for attention.

Craftypuss · 07/07/2019 21:03

We went to the one in Leeds, it was clean, no unpleasant smells, very comfy. I ended up with one little cutie cuddled up next to me for a good 20 minutes, and was able to stroke and play with plenty of the others! Picking them up was a no-no, but to be honest that wasn't a problem. Really enjoyed it!

captainprincess · 07/07/2019 21:26

I've been to the one in Bournemouth, £5 just to get in.......then food was pretty pricy and they gave you a cover to put over your food if the cats jumped on your table! Didn't seem particularly hygienic and I wouldn't go again (not my choice in the first place)
And oh the cats certainly approached you, and the staff didn't mind at all if you approached them! So if you like cats, go for it!

Gardenersnaptime · 07/07/2019 21:28

This really doesn’t appeal!! I don’t mind cats (prefer dogs) but wouldn’t want a load of them near my food or hair getting on my clothes.
Each to their own though!

HiItsClemFandango · 07/07/2019 21:32

@Fenellapitstop Bag of Nails?

Itsreallyallovernow · 07/07/2019 21:35

I went to one in London...it was a treat for my car loving friend. I bloody hate cats so the whole experience was less than fun for me. The cats were asleep most of the time apart from one of the fuckers who insisted on sitting next to me. My friend loved it there but all the cats made me feel a bit itchy...I couldn't face eating anything as I was convinced it would have cat hair in it.

Vinorosso74 · 07/07/2019 21:38

There's a lovely one in North London. I took DD in the Easter holidays. We had to book in advance and they limit the number of kids at any one time.
It was quite relaxed. The cats had places to escape-high up or a room in the basement not accessible to the public. They did come and say hello and there were toys so you could play with them too. One cat was a little shy but was happy to be stroked and another stayed hidden in their room.
Sadly they were burgled a while back and the door smashed in. Luckily all the cats were unharmed!

PussInBin20 · 07/07/2019 21:38

I have been twice (different places) but I would say both times that the cats aren’t that bothered to see you. I think they see so many people all wanting to touch them that they’re just not fussed (except when I had food, one particular white cat was very persistent).

Also a lot of them were asleep and one rule is you’re not allowed to wake them! Glad I went but wouldn’t go back.

Fenellapitstop · 07/07/2019 21:39

That's the one #Clem. They have very sensible rules

rockingthelook · 07/07/2019 21:53

Been to the Liverpool one twice, not as many cats the second time, but very nice , some of them come up to you and sit on your knee but not guaranteed, nice free drinks though

modgepodge · 07/07/2019 21:54

I’ve been to lady Dinah’s in shore ditch 3 times. First time was just after opening and as PP said very hot (I assume they are talking about the same one), I think theyve now sorted their air con. I also visited one in NYC - very different set up though as you could adopt the cats they had in and they regularly changed the cats because of this.

If you like cats you’ll like it :) food is prepared where no cats are allowed, as I have cats in my kitchen it seemed even less risk than in my own house 🤷‍♀️

clearsommespace · 07/07/2019 21:55

There is one near us run by the local animal shelter. Some of the cats are friendly, some aloof, all up for adoption.
I think it is a good idea.
1)You would need a car to get to the animal shelter (middle of nowhere and not on bus route). So you can still consider adoption even if you don't have car.
2)All the profits go to the animal shelter.
3) The hot chocolate is really good Grin

saraclara · 07/07/2019 21:58

I went to one abroad. The cats were free to come in and out of the room as they pleased, so I wasn't worried about their welfare. But they appeared pretty bored and uninterested, so it wasn't the fun or sweet experience that I'd imagined. I definitely wouldn't bother again.

HoppyHop · 07/07/2019 22:01

Yes, we've been a few times. It's the birthday venue of choice for DD2! My advice is to go early. We've had a lot more interaction with the cats in the morning-they seemed less interested by the afternoon.

adaline · 07/07/2019 22:13

We went to the Nottingham one for my birthday a couple of years ago - I loved it! Cats were friendly and had plenty of places to hide if they didn't want to interact.

Divebar · 07/07/2019 22:50

I’ve also been to Nottingham. It’s an animal shelter so you pay an entrance fee just to go in before you order anything. I was there with a few kids for a birthday party. I’m not a massive cat fan but it was pretty nice... quite big, lots of the places for the cats to hide away and avoid people it need be. We ordered a cream tea and as a result attracted a tiny white kitten called Marshmallow who was after the cream... they were happy for us to pick her up to remove her away from the food. She stayed next to us for a little snooze. It was not problematic for a cat hair point of view and the cats were playful enough for everyone in our party to be happy.

Thenthatsthatthen · 07/07/2019 22:55

I’ve been to the shoreditch one. Was to busy (we went on a weekday morning) and barely saw any cats. Most were asleep and as soon as any cats came near us other people would come and stand over you trying to get the cats attention. One staff member did get some cats to play with her which was fun to watch and she gave a good talk about them and their likes/dislikes/needs. Overall the cats just weren’t playing ball that day and wanted nothing to do with people so was a let down.

Leftielefterson · 07/07/2019 22:57

I went once with an exes daughter. One word - grim! Cats were atop tables where people were eating.

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