Crumbs and Whiskers: Los Angeles to Open First Cat Café

On September 30, Los Angeles will officially receive its first-ever “cat cafe,” adoringly named Crumbs & Whiskers, in West Hollywood.

According to LAist, the D.C.-based feline coffee chain announced that it would have a pre-opening September 15-29, with a grand opening to the public on September 30. A 75-minute reservation will reportedly cost $22 for interested patrons to sit with and pet loving cats that are available for adoption. LAist notes that the cats will come from local shelters.

Due to health regulations, food and drinks are not allowed to be prepared in the same room as the animals — so coffee, espresso, tea and deserts will reportedly be available at Crumbs & Whiskers’ partner cafe, Open Space.

Founder Kanchan Singh told LAist that she was inspired to open the first cat cafe while on a trip to Thailand. She said she noticed some people sharing their food with stray dogs and cats. And on her last day there, some locals took her to a cat cafe. “I didn’t know what it was, and I went in there, and I remember thinking, ‘This is amazing, why have I never heard of this before?’ I told [my friends] that I was going to go home, quit my job, and start a cat cafe. And then I actually did it.”

For patrons who canot wait for the official September 30 opening, Crumbs & Whiskers reportedly will be conducting online contests through various affiliates, and will be selling a limited number of passes on September 7 for $200 a piece. The tickets will allow entry for the person and one guest to the pre-opening events on September 15-29; a portion of the proceeds will reportedly benefit Karma Rescue, Crumbs & Whisker’s shelter partner.

Los Angeles also happens to be home to America’s first-ever dog cafe.

Crumbs & Whiskers is located at 7924 Melrose Avenue, near the intersection of Melrose and Fairfax.

Follow Adelle Nazarian on Twitter @AdelleNaz

Adelle Nazarian