The Cat Cafes of New York City

New York City is without doubt one of the world’s largest vacationer attracts, with storied sights and inspiration round each nook. Now, there’s one more reason to go to the Big Apple- its great cat cafes.

Ranging from posh and hip to down-to-earth and heartwarming, the cat cafes of New York all characteristic rescue cats, which makes visiting not solely enjoyable, but in addition makes a distinction.

The Neighbor’s Cat visited New York’s cat cafes in December, 2017.

We’ve all heard the cliches in regards to the individuals of various states.  Minnesotans (the place I’m from) are good whereas New Yorkers are impolite, uptight and impatient, however after a go to to Brooklyn Cat Cafe you would possibly query how that stereotype ever got here to be.

We visited the cafe late on a Sunday afternoon.  Normally, we schedule time outdoors of busy weekend hours for max kitty interplay, however alas, our go to to NYC was quick and Sunday it was.

Indeed, it was packed, however the sort host greeted us with a smile and steered we attempt once more in half-hour.  We popped into Espresso Me, a block down Atlantic, for a fast cup of joe earlier than heading again, which labored effectively for the reason that cafe’s snack choices are restricted.  They don’t thoughts in the event you deliver your personal espresso, although, so hold that in thoughts!

As we arrived, a big group of individuals exited and after signing the waiver and sanitizing our fingers, we entered kitty heaven.

The area is small, however clear, cozy and chilled out with loads of comfortable couches for kitty cuddles.  Speaking of cats, there have been forty felines in residence after we visited, courtesy of Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition.  Most of them had been so pleasant and well-socialized, it was onerous to imagine many had heart-breaking again tales, together with a kitten with paralysis in her again legs.  Despite this problem, she wasn’t letting it cease her, scooting round along with her entrance paws and galvanizing everybody within the room.

As of December, Brooklyn Cat Cafe had solely been open for 18 months, however in that point had discovered eternally houses for over 400 cats together with a number of rescues from Florida and Puerto Rico after the devastating hurricanes there.  Congratulations everybody, that’s unbelievable!!

While I used to be chatting with the employees in regards to the cats, I discovered myself in awe of them.  BCC has a number of the most caring volunteers, so heat and welcoming, that the environment appears like an enormous hug.  Check out the smiling woman within the first photograph above.  That’s the essence of Brooklyn Cat Cafe- a contented place with pleased individuals.

Honestly, it was onerous to resolve who was sweeter- the employees or the cats!

Bidding our ultimate farewells with guarantees to return and keep in contact, it jogged my memory of goodbyes I’ve shared with fellow vacationers over the last two years on the street the place we now have shared some unbelievable experiences, bonded, after which… gone.   It’s not your stereotypical cat cafe and that’s what makes it particular.

Forget Minnesota Nice and say hey to New York Nice.

Before Koneko, I didn’t know a cat cafe could possibly be so cool.

It was a comparatively quiet Monday morning on the Lower East Side of New York after I arrived for my 11:00 am appointment.  Inside the cafe, it was additionally quiet with one patron consuming espresso within the nook whereas tapping away at his laptop computer.  I surveyed the scene and admired what I noticed.  Koneko’s cafe area is spare and alluring that includes a big espresso bar and wall of tables, lined with tidy rows of chairs.  The cattery is cleverly separated from the cafe by a glass partition and double doorways.

I used to be greeted by the host who knowledgeable me I might be the one particular person within the cattery for the 11:00 am time slot and I used to be thrilled that I might be capable to play with all of the kitties unimpeded.  I ordered a Stumptown drip espresso in a lined to-go cup which is allowed within the cat room.

Inside the cattery, Japanese-style minimalism makes Koneko one of many hippest cat cafes on the market.  The aesthetic of the upstairs area is modern with plenty of polished concrete and angles, however balanced properly by tender lighting, heat wooden and brilliant purple cushions.  Downstairs is cozy and stuffed with snug couches to hold with the kitties.  There is even a spacious out of doors ‘catio’!

Happily, the atmosphere can be purposeful for felines, with an abundance of elevated wall perches, cat timber and cat flap resulting in the catio.  However, what impressed me essentially the most was the cafe’s zen-like environment, a mannequin of peace and calm that may be a welcome respite within the midst of the chaos that’s NYC.

How cool is that?

The cats are rescues courtesy of the superheroes at Anjellicle Cats Rescue, which place ‘in danger’ cats (these scheduled to be euthanized) with Koneko.  The cafe can accommodate as much as 20 furballs, though I don’t imagine there have been that many throughout my go to.  However, the kitties in residence had been adorably social, curious and playful, chasing strings and posing for pictures like seasoned fashions.  Austin, a shy however good-looking tabby caught my eye and promptly stole my coronary heart.

I discovered the Koneko group to be extraordinarily approachable and pleasant.  Patty, a cattery staffer and I had a beautiful dialog about cat cafes, rescuing kitties and NYC usually.  Thanks Patty, you rock!

As I departed, I chatted with the barista whereas I bought a sticker (one of the coolest logos ever) and checked out the menu.  If I hadn’t been off to Katz’s Delicatessen, I might have tried certainly one of their Japanese snacks, like okonomiyaki as a result of if the espresso is any indicator, I do know it could have been scrumptious.

At $20 per hour, that is essentially the most I’ve seen charged in a cat cafe, however contemplating that is a number of the most costly actual property on earth and the ability is giant and top-notch, it’s justifiable.  Besides, they’ve discovered eternally houses for over 300 kitties since opening two years in the past, so any cat cafe that does that a lot good to assist felines in want is cool in my e-book.

I often find yourself with a favourite feline in each cat cafe I go to, however generally I fall in love so onerous, I discover myself desirous to take that particular kitty residence proper there on the spot.

Such was the case with Calia at Meow Parlour.

However, as a full-time traveler, I don’t have a house.  Such is the paradox of being a kitty loving cat cafe reviewer that spends most of her free time assembly cute and adoptable cats.

Meow Parlour was the primary in NYC and created a non-profit division to handle the sourcing and adopting of rescued cats referred to as Meow Parlour Cats.  They have been very profitable discovering eternally houses for over 220 cats as of December, 2017.

The day of my go to, 13 cats had been in residence, most new to the cafe.  They often home between 8-15 felines.

Located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the cafe is subsequent door to Macaron Parlour, owned by similar particular person.  Lucky for patrons, the cafe serves these delectable treats together with Counter Culture espresso, each of which I loved immensely.

The facility focuses on feline satisfaction with plenty of cat timber, a wall of cabinets with cat beds and my favourite, small hexagonal tables with cushioned interiors and glass tops permitting you to see the sleeping kitties inside.  The cafe cleverly refers to their cat pleasant set-up as ‘catified’, which I really like and am going to steal with pleasure to any extent further.

Speaking of cats, I discovered the residents of Meow Parlour to have candy and pleasant tendencies together with Valentina, a lovable black shorthair, Patches, a shy grey and white, and my favourite, Calia, an cute Calico.  I didn’t come throughout Calia till the very finish, when a employees member pulled again a show of t-shirts to disclose my treasured lady.  I rubbed round her head to her approving purrs however the love-at-first-sight clincher was the second she appeared up with eyes that mentioned ‘Take me residence’

Insert crying emoji right here.

I’d like to present a shout-out to the group at Meow Parlour for providing a heat welcome, answering all of my questions and introducing me to Calia.

With charming cats, scrumptious treats and a wide range of actions, together with designated kids’s hours, you’ll discover many causes to fall in love with Meow Parlour.  Prioritize a go to asap!

The Neighbor’s Cat is the alter ego of Paula LaBine, an itinerant cat lover who writes about cat cafes, cat journey and rescue/adoption.  She is visiting each cat café on the planet, 198 in 29 international locations thus far!   Find her at theneighborscat.com or on Facebook/Twitter @catcafeviews.