All Photos Courtesy of Teagan Durkin
“At Koneko, a new cat cafe in downtown Manhattan, just who is rescuing whom?” ~ The New York Times
Unlike dogs, cats were never truly domesticated. They just weighed a cold life of struggling in the lean wilderness against luxuriating in belly rubs and fancy feasts. Finding the latter more suitable, cats wandered into homes, and have remained there ever since.
For example, some of the cats trotted into and found a home at Koneko.
Opening back in 2016, Koneko sought to bring the concept of a cat cafe directly to an American audience. Koneko means “kitten” in Japanese, and that’s what the cafe is filled with, each little furball of claws and cuteness is available for adoption.
The cafe entryway is almost indistinguishable except for a minimalist cat logo splashed against the reflective glass. Entering the cafe, one is greeted by a display case of house-made cookies and pastries, and a broader menu of savory snacks, wine, and sake. While the front of the store is devoted to the cafe, with several comfortable tables lining the wall, the back of the cafe opens onto the Cattery.
Composed of three separate floors, including an outdoor area, the Cattery first opens upon a cozy indoor space with plush seating, plentiful cat toys, and, of course, snoozing or manic felines. After one takes off their shoes, sanitizes their hands, and agrees to the Cattery’s simple rules of not antagonizing the cats by picking them up or climbing after them, they are welcome to enter the Cattery.
And what a magical moment that is.
Sprawled across the floor, tucked away on shelves, or attempting to viciously murder a fluffy toy, are cats.
Orange cats with a cantankerous attitude and inability to pose for photos.
Sleepy gray cats who contort themselves into a pretzel.
Energetic tabby cats who hunt feathered sticks dangling overhead.
Koneko’s cats are rescued from NYC’s “at-risk” list, which indicates cats who will soon be euthanized. In a valiant effort to prevent this, and instead place cats in caring homes, Koneko invites guests to spend an hour, for $25, playing with and hopefully falling in love with the cats.
The watermelon drink, which tastes like watermelon sweet and cool out of the fridge, as well as the matcha, come highly recommended. Vegetable gyoza is also delicious, though it will take 15+ minutes depending on customer quantity.
Junior Teagan Durkin is the opinions editor. Her email is tdurkin@fandm.edu