Alright, now that New Years has come and gone and we’ve made our grand entrance into 2020, it’s finally time to hunker down and admit it: Valentine’s Day is upon us. I know, I know, it’s a very polarizing subject. Is it a pointless holiday fueled by late stage capitalism? Yes. Is it a fun excuse to share a special day with your loved one, even if that loved one is a cat? Also yes! You see? Two sides to every coin, they say. So toss a coin to your paramour this year and indulge in one of the hottest spots on the East coast this Valentine’s Day: Le Cat Cafe in Philadelphia, PA!
Love At First Meow
You may have already read my previous article about Kawaii Kitty Cafe, in which case you know that I have a soft spot for cat cafes. Who wouldn’t!? Well, it turns out there is another cat cafe not far from Kawaii Kitty, and it is just as amazing!
A few years ago I attended the grand opening of Le Cat Cafe, located conveniently on Girard Ave. While they’ve branded themselves quite differently from Kawaii Kitty, their goal is still the same: to find forever homes for kitties who need it! What could be better than sharing a hot chocolate in a room full of divine feline tenants? And all for a good cause!
The Purrfect Movie Night
When you first arrive at the cafe’s location, the first thing you might notice is a large glass bay window, with some curious faces peering out at you. Back in December, my beau and I went on a delightful outing with my roommate and her boyfriend to the cafe’s holiday movie night, and let me tell you – nothing gets me pumped up for movie night like a friendly face! As soon as you walk in, you are immediately greeted by the staff members, and, of course, a clowder of eager cats ready to meet you! (Also, yeah, did you know that a group of cats is called a “clowder”? Because I didn’t, but now we both do!)
The staff was very pleasant and professional, but as you might imagine, the real stars of the night were the cats. There were about a dozen cats, each with their own special spunk and unique personality. Kiki, for instance, is the “bathroom cat”. Hate going to the bathroom unchaperoned? Don’t worry! Kiki is there to make sure you’ve got company while you… uh, do whatever it is you need to do!
We arrived rather early, which is ideal if you want to have maximum time with the cats. There was a selection of light snacks including tea, hot chocolate, popcorn, and marshmallows. The cafe itself is somewhat small, but there are all sorts of nooks and ledges for the cats to roam around on. They have toys available to use to play with the more outgoing kitties, and special gloves you can use to brush them, too.
Love Hard, Die Hard
The movie for the evening was Die Hard, a classic Christmas film. After we spent a bit of time letting all the cats warm up to us, we were escorted into the back room where the television is. It is a charming, intimate space with a few benches, and the corner walls are strewn with pillows. Now, you are more than welcome to sit on the benches, but if you really want to make the most out of your cat cafe experience, sitting on a bunch of pillows on the floor is ideal. Why, may you ask? This way, the cats will saunter up to you, and if you’re lucky, make a little nest in your lap! Pro tip: in order to achieve maximum coziness, make it a B.Y.O.B.: Bring Your Own Blanket! Something extra soft to lure the cats in for a cuddle session.
I was lucky enough to be blessed by quite a few kitties who came up to us seeking pets and scritches. One sweet boy even curled up on my lap during the last half of the movie. Of course, I was not able to leave until he decided he wanted to get up (you can never disturb a sleeping angel!) so I sat on the floor all through the credits (and until a bit afterwards) when he finally stood up for a nice stretch.
Overall, I can’t think of a better date night than a trip to Le Cat Cafe. Any occasion to be surrounded by kitties makes for an offer that no cat-lover can refuse, whether you’re going with a partner or flying solo. So, for all those who are local to the area and still at a loss for Valentine’s Day plans, check out Le Cat Cafe’s list of events!
