Hey there, animal lovers!
Chicago’s got plenty of ways to spend your money, like deep dish pizza, rooftop bars, and of course, Cubs tickets. But did you know you can also pay to hang out with dogs, cats, and even bunnies?
We’re the Ben Lalez Team, and after helping over a thousand families find homes in Chicago over the last decade, we’ve noticed that some of the most popular neighbourhoods are those with pet-friendly cafés and dog parks. Who doesn’t love animals?
And whether you’re looking for a cat to adopt, a bunny to hold, or want to socialize your pup while you grab a beer, Chicago’s pet café scene has a few options for you. Several are in the city, and there are a couple that need you to hop into your car and drive outside a bit.
So if you love fur babies, keep reading!
Cat Cafés In Chicago
At one point, Chicago had three cat cafés, but Windy Kitty in Wicker Park closed during COVID and sadly never opened again. That means currently, there are only two places left in the city.
Tree House Humane Society Cat Café
Tree House runs a 50-year-old cat rescue out in West Rogers Park. Their café opened in 2017 inside their newer shelter building. You’ll meet FeLV-positive cats here (that’s feline leukemia virus), and they need special care, meaning they can’t be in homes with other cats. This is what inspired Tree House to build these cats their own lounge, where people can visit them.
For $10, you get to spend 30 minutes with the cats (and this comes with a complimentary drink). You can expect to typically find 1-4 cats in the room at a time, and the cats are rotated regularly for their own comfort. Kids are allowed to play with the cats, but they need to be supervised by an adult. Make sure to make a reservation for some cat time.
By the way, every cat is adoptable. If you’re just there to spend time with the cats, know that your $10 is well spent and goes to taking care of them.
The Catcade
Less than a mile from Wrigley Field, you’ll find the Catcade, designed to be both a cat lounge and a retro arcade. You can find yourself playing Mario Kart with a cat in your lap.
The cost is $17 for an hour, and that comes with a soft drink. Most of the cats are up for adoption through their rescue program, except for a couple of residents who live there full-time. Guests must be at least 12 years old to enter, and we recommend booking a reservation in advance to secure a spot.
Cuddle Bunny: Chicago’s Rabbit Lounge
If you’re looking for something a little different than cats or dogs, why not see what it’s like visiting a rabbit lounge?
The space is very relaxed, with floor pillows, soft music, and gentle lighting. You’ll be given fresh cilantro to hand-feed the bunnies, and you’ll get 15-20 minutes with each rabbit or bonded pair, rotating through a couple of enclosures during your hour. The whole thing feels more like meditation than a typical animal interaction.
If you’re visiting during the week, the cost is $15. On weekends, expect to pay $20. College students do qualify for a 25% discount if you show your student card, and kids as young as 5 are allowed in.
Note that the rabbits have a nap break every day from 1-3 pm and aren’t available for cuddles, so make sure to plan your visit around this break time. Also, reservations are required, so book ahead.
This isn’t an adoption center, and the larger mission is helping people decompress with animals. Cuddle Bunny offers bunny yoga, craft nights, and private events. There’s also a second location now in Schaumburg that handles boarding and appointments out in the northwest suburbs.
Pup Social: A Country Club For Dogs (And Owners)
Surprisingly, Chicago never had a traditional dog café, but earlier this year, something arguably better opened in Bucktown. Pup Social is best described as a members-only off-leash dog park with a full bar, lounge space, co-working areas, and even grooming services for dogs and humans.
Memberships start at $99 a month for unlimited access with one dog, and your pet needs to be vaccinated and pass a behavior screening. Once you’re in, dogs play off-leash under supervision. Owners can work from the co-working space, sit at the bar, or get a haircut at the human salon.
There’s also a “Spaw” for dogs, where your fur baby can get a blueberry facial for $20. They’ve also got a self-serve dog wash with AI voiceovers. You can even have Snoop Dogg narrate your dog’s bath.
The café and boutique are open to the general public, so anyone can grab a coffee and watch dogs through the windows. But you’ll need a membership (or guest pass) if you want to go into the play area.
For people who love dogs but can’t commit to ownership, this might be the next best thing. Monthly membership for unlimited puppy time while you grab a beer or work on clearing up your email inbox.
Cat Cafés Outside Of Chicago
The Cat House Lounge & Boutique (Roselle)
The Cat House is in Roselle, about 30 miles west of downtown, and is both a cat café and gift shop. You can buy cat-themed merchandise such as shirts, mugs, and toys in front, while the back lounge holds 10-25 adoptable cats from local rescues, mostly through Heartland Animal Shelter.
Spending an hour with the cats will set you back $12, and kids three and under are free. They’re open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10am to 6pm, with sessions starting every hour. Reservations are recommended to make sure you don’t drive out there and then find it fully booked. They also do yoga with cats, movie nights, painting sessions, and other community events that bring people together around cats.
Bonus: The Region Cat Café (Merrillville)
If you drive about 45 minutes from Chicago and into Indiana, you’ll find The Region Cat Café in Merrillville. They opened in 2021 and have moved over 600 cats into homes since then.
On one side, you’ll find a coffee shop with a pastry chef, proper espresso drinks, and delicious desserts. On the other side, through glass windows, is the cat lounge.
The cost is $12 for 50 minutes with 10+ cats. If you’re bringing kids, they have to be at least 7 years old. They’re open Tuesday through Sunday, from 11am-7pm on most days (Sunday is a bit shorter). Again, we recommend that if you’re going to make the trip out there from Chicago, reserve a spot first.
They’ve raised over $10,000 for rescue work while getting hundreds of cats adopted. If you’re interested, they do craft nights in the cat lounge, book clubs, and painting parties. The “Purrfect Plushies” event lets you stuff a toy animal and spend time with the cats.
Chicago-Area Pet Cafés Comparison Chart
| Café Name | Location | Animals | Cost | Age Requirements |
| Tree House Cat Café | 7225 N. Western Ave. | FeLV+ adoptable cats | $10 for 30 min (includes drink) | All ages (under 15 with adult) |
| The Catcade | 624 W. Belmont Ave. | Adoptable rescue cats | $17 for 60 min (includes soft drink) | Ages 12+ only |
| Cuddle Bunny | 2901 N Clark St. | Pet rabbits for cuddling | $15 weekdays, $20 weekends (per hour) | Ages 5+ (with adult if under 18) |
| Pup Social | 2200 N. Ashland Ave. | Dogs (member’s dogs + your own) | $99/month or $1,499/year membership | All ages (must own dog or be member/guest) |
| The Cat House Lounge | 344 E. Irving Park Rd. (Roselle) | Adoptable cats from local rescues | $12 for ~60 min | All ages (kids 14 and under with adult, max 2 kids per adult) |
| The Region Cat Café | 281 W. 80th Place (Merrilville) | Adoptable cats from Second Chance rescue | $12 for 50 min | Ages 7+ (with adult for minors) |
What to Know Before You Go
Even if they take walk-ins, we always recommend reserving a spot ahead of time. They’re all small operations with limited capacity, and pet safety is their top priority. That means a limited number of visitors at any given time.
It’s important, especially if you’re bringing kids, to read and follow the rules of each establishment. This might mean no picking up cats unless invited, quiet voices around the bunnies, and dogs at Pup Social needing behavior clearance. Remember that these aren’t petting zoos – they’re carefully managed spaces where animals and people can interact safely.
What Do We Do?
The Ben Lalez Team knows Chicago inside and out, really! We don’t mean just property values or zoning laws, but the unique personalities of every Chicago neighborhood.
Whether you’re moving here for the first time or looking for something different in a new part of the city, we can help you find a home near the things you care about. Maybe that’s a park, or a great restaurant scene, or a place where you can walk to a bunny café on a Saturday afternoon.
Because why not?
Want to talk about neighborhoods where you’d actually want to live, not just invest? Give us a shout. We’d love to help you find your corner of Chicago. Furry friends are optional, but definitely available nearby!
