Manx Cat Cafe

 Cat Café Trip: January 2024

As an avid cat lover and enthusiast, I always wanted to go to a cat café as I saw them around on social media, however, I never realized that we had our own hidden cat sanctuary in the heart of my hometown in Douglas, Isle of Man. This cat café is especially distinct as it highlights our own special breed from our Island - the Manx Cat, which is characterized by their lack of tails, making them unique as these cats are specifically born without a tail due to their genetics! The café hosts normal-tailed breeds as well, however, I do appreciate the pride towards our local cat breed, which is an added quirk to our eccentric island! 

Before arriving at the café, a reservation has to be placed, as to not overwhelm the cats by overcrowding, and each person is allowed one complimentary drink, hot or cold, simply by booking a spot, which is very kind coming from this small business. They also provide an additional menu which includes a range of items, from hot soup and sandwiches to various types of cakes, which can satisfy the cravings of any visitor! 

The food they provided was delicious and fresh, with that homemade taste making the experience feel even more cosy and welcoming, making me want to stay there for hours! The hot chocolate was rich, and extra sweet with the toppings we chose, feeling like a warm hug in a mug, and the additional sponge cake that I ordered was wonderful, and gave me that extra energy to play with the cats loafing around the area.

Victoria Sponge Cake with Cream

complimentary hot chocolates with cream and marshmallows

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There were plenty of cats roaming around, who are actually the pets of the staff themselves, and they were well behaved, enjoying the attention given to them by the cat-loving customers! Upon entering and settling down, the staff not only gives you a food and drinks menu, but also a little guide book on the cats they host, with adorable photos and fact files on each cat to help you identify who you are snuggling or playing with, which creates a further bond between the guests and the cats!

Darby the cat being identified

I love the recurring theme around the cats, as many of them are named after places in the Isle of Man, or have other Manx connections that show admiration towards our heritage!

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The decoration within the café is definitely worth mentioning as well, as it's enchanting, with little cat trinkets and homages scattered around, and it's super fun and interactive for the cats who are roaming around the place. The café has multiple cat towers where the cats can climb and nap inside, which is very useful if they ever feel overstimulated by the guests, and there is also a box filled to the brim with cat toys that the staff provide for guests who want to play or entertain the cats. Another unique high-reaching feature within the room is the exclusive cat walkway installed on the walls where they can explore to their hearts content and have an bird's eye view of the guests and café!

The room also has soft, shaggy carpets on the wooden floors to give visitors and cats extra places to chill out together, as well as comfy sofas and armchairs equipped with the cutest cat pillows, as well as adorable cat figurines placed on nearby tables and windowsills. Overall, I can say that the theming and decoration was well thought out to highlight the facility's love for cats, which creates a lovely and interactive experience for all! 

                

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Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed! ♡