Just a short drive across the Ohio River from Cincinnati sits one of the most delightfully unusual hangout spots in the entire tri-state area — a place where adoptable cats roam freely, craft cocktails flow, and the phrase “just one more minute” gets said by every single person who walks through the door. Purrfect Day Cat Café in Covington, Kentucky is a full-service café and cat lounge rolled into one, and it has become a beloved destination for Ohio day-trippers looking for something genuinely different to do.
After two years of tremendous success at its original Louisville location, the café expanded in November of 2020 by opening this second outpost in Covington, Kentucky — just across the river from Cincinnati. The original inspiration for Purrfect Day came from a cat café the owner encountered while visiting South Carolina, and the idea to open a Covington branch grew out of a conversation with the director of Kenton County Animal Services. The result is a thriving community hub that’s equal parts cozy café and heartwarming animal shelter experience.
What Makes It So Special
Instead of viewing kittens through intimidating cages, visitors can cuddle and play with them freely in the café — a fundamentally different approach to the adoption experience, as owner Chuck Patton puts it: “We’re approaching the business of adopting in a very different way.” In the cat room, there are between 20 and 25 friendly felines making themselves comfortable lounging in pet beds and baskets, nesting on wall perches, and even snuggling beneath blankets. It’s an intimate, living-room-style environment that lets real bonds form — the kind that lead to adoptions.
In just five years, Purrfect Day Café has adopted out over 10,000 cats, donated over $110,000 to shelter partners, and created two inviting spaces where the community can cuddle and relax with kitties. With the growing support of the community, the café adopts out almost 3,000 kitties every year from over 60 counties in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. Those are genuinely staggering numbers for a café that also happens to serve great lattes.
All of the cats at the café are adoptable and have been spayed or neutered, dewormed, kept up-to-date on their shots, and are FeLV- and FIV-negative. If you fall in love with a cat, you can fill out an adoption form on-site and potentially bring your new furry friend home as soon as the same day. Each cat wears a collar with its name, and a blue tag on the collar means the cat has already found its forever home and is simply waiting for its new owner to pick it up. It’s an adorable detail that somehow makes the whole experience even more wholesome.
The Café Menu: Punny, Delicious & Worth It
At the counter of the café, a menu displays playfully named items such as “paw-stries,” “paw-pcorn,” hot and cold “kitt-teas,” “paw-fee,” and “meow-cohol.” The creativity doesn’t stop at the names — snacks like “Paw-Pcorn” and “Purr-Etzels” pair perfectly with drinks that include a variety of beers, wines, and cocktails like the “Purrfect Meowmosa.” Whether you’re a coffee drinker, a craft beer fan, or somewhere in between, there’s genuinely something for everyone on the menu.
The café offers a variety of drinks, snacks, and merchandise, including clothing and stickers, with many visitors praising the quality and taste of the food and beverages — especially the hot chocolate and scones. Gluten-free options are also available, which is a thoughtful touch that doesn’t go unnoticed. The merchandise selection — including t-shirts, stickers, tumblers, and more — makes for great souvenirs and gifts for the cat lovers in your life.
Atmosphere & Décor
The exterior and interior are both beautiful, with a clean, bright, welcoming aesthetic that feels intentional rather than accidental. The space is nice and bright, and the kittens — as well as the adult cats — add natural warmth and energy to every corner of the room. It’s the kind of place that photographs well, but feels even better in person.
There’s an upstairs loft area furnished with comfortable seating — a great spot to enjoy a drink or snack from the café while waiting for your cat visitation session to begin. To the cats at the café, this is their home — at least until they’re adopted — and the space reflects that, designed with their comfort and natural behavior in mind. The result is a genuinely calm, warm atmosphere that feels nothing like a shelter and everything like a cozy living room shared with a lot of very friendly cats.
Other Considerations
How much does it cost to visit the cat room? Each session in the cat area costs $15 and lasts 50 minutes. The café itself — coffee, snacks, and drinks — is open to anyone at no entry cost, making it easy to pop in even if the cat lounge is full.
Do I need a reservation? You need to RSVP to spend time with the cats, but the café part is open to everyone. It’s strongly recommended to book in advance, because the kitten room is usually booked up — especially on weekends. Walk-ins can sometimes be accommodated, but there’s no guarantee, so planning ahead is the smart move.
Is it good for families and kids? Absolutely. The café has provided wonderful environments for birthday celebrations with family, and it works well for a wide range of ages. Participants under 18 must have a waiver signed by an adult, confirming they’re not severely allergic to cats and will be gentle with the animals. It’s a small formality that ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for both kids and cats alike.
Can I host a private event there? The café loves hosting parties of all kinds — birthdays, bachelorettes, wedding showers, baby showers, and more. You can opt for a full package that takes care of all the details, or simply rent the cat room and handle the particulars yourself. It’s a surprisingly fun and memorable venue for a special occasion.
What about parking? Parking is available in a lot across the street, with a few spots specifically designated for the café, though street parking is also an option. It’s worth arriving a few minutes early to snag a convenient spot, particularly on busy weekend afternoons.
Purrfect Day Cat Café
📍 25 W 8th St, Covington, KY 41011
Website: https://purrfectdaycafe.com/covington/
