Unfortunately, following the COVID-19 pandemic both locations of Java Cats Cafe had to close.
At this time, you can continue to keep up with founder, Haydn Hilton, on her instagram @JAVACATSATL for more information on her rescue work & plans to raise funds to reopen!
Java Cats Cafe was Atlanta’s first Cat Cafe. With 2 locations (Grant Park & Marietta), Java Cats’ mission was “to bring the citizens of Atlanta joy through the love of an adoptable cat and exceptional coffee served in a cozy environment, creating a sense of community for people of all ages to enjoy.” – Read their full mission statement HERE.
I did not have the pleasure of visiting the Marietta Location, so this post will feature details about my experience and what to expect at the Grant Park location, but full details about both locations are available on their website:
Java Cats Cat Café – Grant Park
MY EXPERIENCE AT JAVA CATS CAT CAFÉ
- All Areas Very Clean and Tidy
- Fresh & Tasty Coffee
- Cats Healthy & Well-Cared For
- Friendly & Helpful Staff
In October 2019, I had the absolute pleasure of visiting Java Cats in Grant Park for the first time. In addition to having amazing coffee and cuddly cats, Java Cats also hosts events for the community. I was there to participate in a pumpkin painting event for Halloween that included the supplies needed to paint a pumpkin, a beverage, and an hour of kitty playtime in the separate cat lounge. A little unsure of the protocol, the staff stepped in to make sure I felt and home and had a wonderful experience. They were flexible, and let me know that I was welcome to enjoy some time with the cats prior to or after my pumpkin painting. They also helped me pick out a tasty coffee to enjoy during the event.
The cafe area is spacious and provides plenty of comfortable seating and tables. There is also a large viewing window and bar top style seating along it so you can enjoy watching the cats while you sip your favorite coffee if you do not have time to purchase an hour or half-hour in the cat lounge itself. The cafe area is perfect for taking a moment to read a book or magazine, work on your laptop, or just sit and watch the cats while enjoying some fresh brewed coffee.
The staff were very welcoming, the coffee was excellent, but – no surprise here – the highlight of the experience was getting to spend some time with their adoptable kitties. Cats to play with, cats to snuggle, cats to make you laugh when you are having a crappy day – you will find them all in the Java Cats cat lounge. The cat lounge was very clean, and the cats were all healthy and well cared for. There were plenty of places for the cats to sleep, play and do other kitty business. I also liked that there were plenty of areas for cats to retreat if they needed to get away from people for little bit. I wasn’t surprised though, as cat behaviorist, Ingrid Johnson, helped design the cat lounge.
I played with a couple of the cats, then sat on one of the couches to relax. I was soon joined by one of the older kitties, a tortoiseshell, like my senior girl at home. She settled in on my lap and showed no signs of wanting to leave, so I decided to do the same and let her enjoy a nice nap while I watched the other cats play or snooze. I also had a pleasant chat with one of the volunteers cleaning up the cat room as well.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed my time at Java Cats Cat Cafe. So much so that I decided to include review posts on this blog. Yes, my first review post is this review of Java Cats Cat Café. I was pleased with how clean and neat everything was. The cafe part is separate (even separate ventilation systems) in case you want to enjoy the coffee but happen to be allergic to cats. I liked the local art available for purchase alongside the Java Cats merchandise. Plus, the staff were so welcoming and helpful. You felt like you were hanging out with friends instead of visiting a business. And the cats… well… the cats are absolutely wonderful. It was just a very pleasant and relaxing experience. I am looking forward to the next time I can visit Java Cats Cat Café.
COME MEET SOME FAB FELINES!!
Love cats? Consider donating your time to the precious cats currently being fostered at Java Cats Cat Café. Reservations are recommended since they do limit the number of people allowed to interact with the cats to ensure the cats’ health and comfort at all times. While they do ask that you respect the cats that are trying to sleep, plenty of them are just waiting for a lap to settle down on, and others are roaming around looking for a playmate! Java Cats provides plenty of comfy seating for people, as well as cats, and lots of interactive cat toys for you to use during your visit to the lounge.
Reserve Your Spot in the Grant Park Cat Lounge HERE!
An hour in the Grant Park cat room is $10 for adults and $7 for children under 12. You can make reservations or be accommodated as a walk-in depending on traffic. Walk-ins are welcomed on a first come first served basis, but priority is given to people with reservations. They also offer a half-hour rate (available as a walk-in customer only) for $7 regardless of age.
All reservations for the cat room include a complimentary drip coffee or loose leaf tea for each person. Prefer a crafted beverage? You can upgrade your coffee for only $2.50 instead of the regular purchase price of that beverage.
Allergic to Cats but have older kids dying for a cat? A large window from the cafe area allows you to view the cats (and your kids) in the lounge while enjoying your beverage from a completely separate (yes, I am even talking separate ventilation systems here) space.
Allergic to cats but love them anyway? Come enjoy a tasty drink while getting to enjoy watching cats minus the symptoms!
Ready to Bring A Cat Home? I mean, of course you are!
Cats at Java Cats Cafe Are Available for Adoption Through PAWS Atlanta!
More information About the Partnership with Java Cats Cat Café and PAWS Atlanta Below. CLICK HERE
Thinking some of the cat furniture found in these photos of Java Cats cat lounge look familiar from this blog? Scoop beds? Cat Shelves? You are correct, my friend! The cat behaviorist that I have worked with for my own cats also provides services to cat businesses in the Atlanta Area! Ingrid Johnson of Fundamentally Feline worked with Java Cats to provide an incredible space for the cats to thrive while meeting potential forever families.
Check Out Ingrid’s Post on her work with Java Cats Cat Cafe HERE!
JAVA CATS GRANT PARK INFO
Hours of Operation – PERMANENTLY CLOSED 🙁
COFFEE AT JAVA CATS
The coffee at Java Cats Cafe is provided by locally owned Firelight Coffee Roasters. Firelight Coffee Roasters work with several coffee producers and importers with an emphasis on ethics and sustainability without sacrificing quality and freshness.
All cat lounge reservations include a complimentary drip coffee or loose leaf tea, and crafted beverages are available for only $2.50! Pressed for time? You can always swing by for your favorite beverage without a stop in the cat lounge – regular pricing applies.
JAVA CATS EVENTS
JAVA CATS COMMUNITY EVENTS
Java Cats also hosts a monthly comedy show at their Grant Park location called the “Cats and Laughs Comedy Hour”. I have not yet been able to attend one, but it is on my list!
Comedy Hour Details & Reservations
They also post events on their social media platforms. I found out about the Pumpkin Painting event through their Facebook Page.
Follow Java Cats on Social Media!
JAVA CATS PRIVATE EVENTS
Want the cats all to yourself? Or maybe you are willing to share with a few close friends? Java Cats Cat Café hosts private events! For more information email javacatsevents@gmail.com.
JAVA CATS + PAWS ATLANTA
Java Cats Cat Cafe serves as a foster facility for cats available for adoption through PAWS Atlanta – a no kill shelter serving the greater Atlanta area.
At any given time, Java Cats Grant Park has up to 20 cats in their cat lounge, giving people an opportunity to interact with multiple cats available for adoption. This exposure helps the cats socialize, and increases the odds of you finding your new best friend!
While not ALL of the cats available for adoption through PAWS Atlanta are in the cat lounge at Java Cats Cat Cafe, many of them are! Since the resident kitties at Java Cats is constantly changing (which is a good thing – YAY, FOREVER HOMES!!), I do not currently have a list of kitties being fostered in the cat lounge at this time. What I do have is a link to the cats and kittens available for adoption through PAWS Atlanta – just no guarantee that all of the cats are available to meet at Java Cats. They may be fostered at another location, but PAWS Atlanta will be more than happy to arrange a meeting!
Check out ALL of the Cats & Kittens Available for Adoption from PAWS Atlanta HERE.
Adopt your new best friend today!!
SUPPORT JAVA CATS CAT CAFE
Patronize the Coffee Shop & Cat Lounge
My favorite way to support Java Cats is to stop by and purchase their coffee and/or time in the cat lounge. Forget big chain coffee shops – Java Cats is a much more enjoyable place to grab a coffee or get a little work done. Then take a break and play with some cats! Even with multiple kitties at home, it is nice to share the love with some cats still waiting for their forever homes.
Purchase Java Cats Merchandise
Grab yourself a Java Cats Hoodie or mug! Java Cats sells retail merchandise in store and online. Not only does the purchase of the merchandise directly support Java Cats, it helps to advertise for them as well! The more people who find out about Java Cats – the more cats will find forever homes. Click Here for the Java Cats Store.
In addition to Java Cats merchandise, you can check out some really nice cat art from local Atlanta artists when you visit the cafe in person.
Provide Cat Supplies from Your Couch
Want to directly support the cats currently being fostered at Java Cats? Check out their Amazon wishlist where you can donate much needed supplies to Java Cats from the comfort of your own couch! Click HERE to see Java Cats’ Amazon WishList.
Spread the Word About Java Cats Cat Cafe
Been to Java Cats Cat Cafe and had an awesome time? Adopted a cat you met at Java Cats through PAWS Atlanta? Love the idea of a business supporting the local community and/or helping cats? SPREAD THE WORD!
Share your experience or interest in Java Cats on Social Media!
Take your in-town friends and out of town guests to the cat lounge!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I love Java Cats Cat Café. I am all about a business that strives to help local cats. But they also do so much more than that. They are a part of the local community. It is businesses like Java Cats that make Atlanta an awesome place to live – and feel both big and small at the same time. The staff at Java Cats are friendly and welcoming, and they make a mean cup of coffee. It is a great place to go when you need an escape from whatever else you have going on, need a relaxing place to work, or just need a little snuggle. Plus, they help these sweet cats gain exposure and find forever homes. It doesn’t get much better than that.
I was extremely sad when I learned about the closing of Java Cats Cat Café. It was a beautiful place that did a lot of amazing things for local cats & humans. Fortunately, the dream is still going strong – and you can follow the founder on her instagram @javacatsatl for more information about her hopes for a cat sanctuary.