Neko Cat Cafe in Seattle
Just down the steps of a brick building on the corner of Pine Street and Belmont Avenue in Seattle is a little basement that has been turned into a sleek cafe. But this is not just any cafe…this is a cat cafe. Specifically, NEKO Cat Cafe.
This cafe is filled with cats of all different colors and sizes, breeds and personalities. They include a mixture of adoptable cats as well as cats that are permanent residents of the cafe.
Bookings at the cafe are a little different and a little pricier during the pandemic, in order to meet social distancing requirements. There is a cap on the number of spots available per booking time, to make it easier to socially distance. The current rate to book a spot at the cafe is $20 per person. However, the minimum booking requires the purchase of at least two spots. Thus, the minimum expense to book is $40, which is not great news if you want to go alone. If you want to book the entire cat room for a private gathering, the fee is around $120.
On top of this, you also pay separately for any food and drinks you want to consume while you are at the cafe. I did not have a problem paying this higher price. I viewed it as a way to support the great mission of this cafe and keep this place open through these hard times. So, on top of my booking fee, I also paid for a cat-shaped cookie, a pulled pork Okazu Pan, and a catnip-infused drink.
If you arrive a little bit early to order your food and drinks, then you can enjoy your full 45-minute booking with the cats. The booking time allows the staff at the cafe to sanitize between visitors. I picked the last booking time of the day —which, for a Thursday, is 6:00 pm. On the weekend, however, the last booking time is around 8:00 pm.
Before or after your booking you can also take some selfies with the variety of artwork around the cafe and the famous “Show me your kitties” sign. It is also good to keep in mind that, not only is this cafe a highly Instagrammable spot, but also a great place to go if you are looking to add a new cat into your life. It is a great opportunity to test out your compatibility with the different cats up for adoption.
For instance, when I was there, I met a brown and white kitty who absolutely loved dogs. Every time a dog passed by on a walk outside, the cat would run as fast as it could to the nearest window to say hello to them. I also met a cat named Birdy, who only felt comfortable sitting on the very top shelf on the wall and staring at humans from afar.
The cafe is pretty close to top tourist destinations in the city, like the Space Needle, so a trip to the cafe does not have to be a whole day trip in itself. Plus, there are a few pay-by-the-hour parking lots within a block or so from the cafe if you want to arrive early and wander the area.
If going to Seattle is not to your liking, the cafe has a second location in Bellingham. And, while Seattle houses about a dozen cats, Bellingham houses about two dozen. So, whichever location you choose, you will have plenty of opportunities to pet some of these precious fluffy creatures.
Further Reading: If you are in the Seattle area in the spring, you should consider a visit to the University of Washington to see their famous cherry blossom trees in bloom.
