Cat Cafe in Hongdae

Cat café

If dogs are a man’s best friend, cats, at least in their mind, are man’s imperial ruler.  The cat café in Hongdae, although the same concept as the dog café, is as similar to the dog cafe as inch worms are to noodles. They look the same on the outside, but anatomically are entirely different. Walking into the dog café, we were greeted at the door by several dogs sniffing our bags and shoes for smells and goodies from the outside.  The cats, on the other hand, made no acknowledgement that we’d even entered the room.  Servants are not worthy of acknowledgment.

The cat café was relaxing, the atmosphere, and mood reminiscent of a spa. Soft tunes hummed over the speakers, and slow movements part of the vibe.

Cats lounged around anywhere they felt drawn.  A cat walk above was home to at least five cats, their tails and legs hanging off at awkward angles. Korean ladies and girls sat comfortably on the floor with blankets with happily sleeping cats curled nicely in a ball across their laps.  Only a handful of men had come today. Sitting at the table, the cats, in usual fashion ignored us. So I moved us to the floor, where the cats paid us no more attention than at our table.  We soon discovered the secret to luring the cats in to our laps was not our calls, or willingly petting hands, but a cat treat of dried fish. The felines, once apathetic to our advances, were now wide-eyed and willing to climb into any lap, even an arch enemy’s lap, given that the treat was shared

We spent a little over an hour playing the luring game with cats, even persuading a few to sleep in our laps for a short time.

Kyle says he preferred the dog café, he is afterall, a dog person.  I’d have to agree, I enjoyed the dog café more, but the cat café was pleasurable on its on merits.

8,000 won at the door, and a free drink is included in the fee.

Used to be named Giocat but I think it changed its name...can be reached from Hongik University Station, line No. 2, exit 5; Hapjeong Station, line No. 2 or 5, exit 3; or Sangsu Station, line No. 6, exit 2. It’s close to the playground (by where the artist sell their wares) near Hongik University’s main gate..

Its on the fourth floor in a building near the Ho bar.

They even have a hairless kitty