What Happened When We Visited the Java Whiskers Cat Cafe and Book Club?

Imagine a café. Now imagine it’s full of adorable cats or kittens to play with. You’re feeding and snuggling with said cats. Now imagine there’s a bunch of likeminded individuals who are excited to discuss the book you’ve all just read over steaming beverages. I can’t think of a cosier image. Well, you don’t have to imagine it, it’s real! If I could narrow down all of life’s simplest pleasures to the two greatest, it would have to be cats and books. Nothing combines them better than the Java Whiskers Cat Café which also now hosts a book club monthly.

Java Whiskers is THE place to visit if you’re a cat lover in London. It has two locations easily accessible via public transport at both Marylebone and White City Westfield.

How Was Our Experience?

I went with one of my closest friends, someone who shares my passions. I would say that by this point, us sending each other a constant stream of cat memes is in and of itself a meme. We visited the Marylebone branch, a cosy and inviting little space. For our allocated slot, a hot drink was included which we ordered on arrival (they do also have a range of pastries you can order, with a separate package on offer being afternoon tea).

The café staff were very kind, helpful and gave us a full debrief of the premises and how to approach the cats. Feline contentment was a priority and it was clear how much the staff cared about the animals’ welfare whilst ensuring everyone had a great experience.

The space has a double set of doors to prevent cats from accidentally running out and is filled with a range of toys and different elevated shelves for the cats to climb and perch on. For the humans there are a bunch of small tables and comfy seating. One sweet, shy cat made a bookshelf her home and I used the treats we were given to win her trust. A separate playroom included cat themed cards, games and books. We were greeted by a range of adorable felines, each with their own distinct personalities. There was an initial settling down and playing with cats before and after the book club started.

The Book Club

The theme of the book club at its’ outset was to cover a book each time that involved a cat. Our book was ‘A Man Called Ove’ by Fredrik Backman (ignore the 'A Man Called Otto' title it confused me too):

This is a heartwarming story about a stubborn old man’s struggle with grief and continuing to have a purpose for living after the death of his wife. This includes the slow, unwilling friendship that develops with the new, mixed family that moves in next door, as well as an equally stubborn stray cat for whom Ove becomes the begrudging carer. The book really does explore the spectrum of human emotion in a way that tends to be avoided whilst making you laugh along the way. I can do a separate in-depth review if anyone’s interested but this should be a good taster without giving too much away.

We all sat in a circle and had a riveting open discussion on the book led by the café host. It was great fun to share ideas that were punctuated with the entertaining scuffles of the cats. In our corner, a very regal tortoiseshell sat by us and observed, though the discussion clearly put her to sleep.

What Did it Cost?:

We bought the book club ticket which was £29.99 each.

This only happens once a month, but you can use the café just as a café at any time to play with the kittens or cats. Yes, you can choose a kitten OR cat slot. The price varies depending on the time slot and is as follows.

For the Cat Lounge:

• 55 minutes: £16.99
• 1hr 25 minutes: £22.99
• 1hr 55 minutes: £27.99

For the Kitten Lounge:

• 55 minutes: £21.99
• 1hr 25 minutes: £29.99
• 1hr 55 minutes: £34.99

Omg Can’t I Just Take Them Home With Me?

There is in fact an option to adopt some of these furry friends and another beautiful aspect of the café is that many of its feline residents have actually been rescued from shelters.

I’ve given you a review of my experience, but….

What are some other reasons YOU should visit?

Chasing Away the Winter Blues

I think it’s a great place to visit all year round but especially welcome during the colder months when you may be on the hunt for cosy indoor activities.

A Unique Hangout or Date Idea

When planning to see friends or even a date, it’s not unusual to run out of ideas. You end up doing the same things when you want to do something different, fun and interactive. If you love animals and especially cats, this is the perfect unconventional idea that won’t break the bank.

An Alcohol-Free Outing

London socialising and going out often revolves around drinking. If you’re extending dry January, are sober or just want an idea that doesn’t revolve around Happy hour, this is a great one. For when you don’t fancy drinks at the pub or bar but just going to a coffee shop feels uninspired.

You Love Animals But Can’t Keep a Pet

I’m a big cat lover and sadly lost my own cat a few years back. Where I live now, I can’t have any pets. This means I don’t have to go without cats in my life.

Boosts Seratonin and Oxytocin

Which are the two depression-fighting neuro-chemicals, the feel good and love chemicals. The whole experience is basically a boost for your mental health.

What if You’re on Your Own?

I think the book club is a great way to meet people and enjoy the experience, even if you come alone. A few of the participants in our group did just that.

I would give this experience a 5 star rating and would definitely recommend it to anyone. Do you think you’ll give the cat café a go?

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I hope you enjoyed this review, any hearts appreciated if you did! Do let me know if there's anything else you'd like me to review or would be interested in hearing about.