A cosy Cat palace tucked away in the city centre, Manchester’s first Cat Cafe offers the ultimate feline lover experience with a brew on the side for good measure.
Opening to the public this weekend, the Cat Cafe charges for time not products and allows you to stay as long as is available. If booking online you can only select one hour time slots, but if you show up on the day you have the option to pay per 5 minute time slot, with a base rate of £1 per 5 minutes or £12 per hour.
Upon arrival you will check in at reception, leaving your shoes at the door and donning some complementary slippers, to add to the homely vibe this location offers.
Stepping into the venue, the first thing noticed is the open space and large windows, allowing passers by to stop and coo at any Kitties on display at the time. Comfy sofas and floor cushions are in ample supply to stay cosy as you interact with the resident felines available. For the cats, they have bunk beds and human sofas to choose from for comfort options.
The cat’s welfare is an utmost priority, with clear house rules not allowing guests to pick up the cats, giving the cats freedom to come over to the humans they take a shine to. The cats also have access to a separate area out of bounds to public, giving relief if they aren’t feeling sociable at times.
Well kitted out, the space provides an array of toys, set ups and entertainment options for the cats, with large beams fitted specifically to suit the adventurous climbing cats. A fish tank is also present, not accessible by the cats but certainly an interest for them to keep watch of.
In addition to the standard admission available, the Cat Cafe will also host special events, with movie nights already being trialled (the first test was the Lion King of course). Weekends will offer specific slots for children to come and visit under supervision, as kids under currently are not allowed general admission due to house rules.
Not just your typical house cats, the Cat Cafe has thoroughly researched and thought out a plan for their feline friends before establishing the venue. The cats in current occupation have grown up together to ensure they are all used to each other’s company, giving great interactions to watch as they play and tease one another.
The breeds and types have also been thought out to give the public access to breeds they may not commonly see in your garden, including a Ragdoll, a Bengal and a Chinchilla Persian.
During our visit we got to meet some of the brood, including Kiera the Bengal who was full of energy, Ygritte the Norwegian Forest who loves cuddles and strokes and Joel the Russian Blue who loves to come and say hello to new visitors.
For all information on the Cat Cafe visit them online or pop by reception after opening to plan your playdate.
