It was Tucson’s first cat lounge but now it’s the city’s first “cat and coffee shop.” El Jefe Cat Lounge, at 3025 N. Campbell Ave. #141, has stretched out its paws and expanded into a coffee and retail shop — El Jefe Cat Café. The coffee and merch store will be located in the next-door suite, #151, while the rambunctious and sleepy cats will remain at #141.
On the coffee side of things, you can walk in and order anything from the menu and shop around the gift shop. They have a couple of comfy couches if you want to stick around, too. Next door, there’s a three-story cat lounge if you’d like to sip on your coffee with four-legged friends.
Reservations are required to hang with the cats and there’s a waiver you’ll need to sign before entering (cats tend to have sharp nails).
A few of us paid a visit to the cats of El Jefe Cat Lounge, which is three stories high of rambunctious, sleepy, and curious cats. We were first greeted by a friendly cat that had recently given birth to 11 kittens. Other cats frolicked around as we sipped on our coffees and teas.
On the second floor, more cats awaited our affection — a space that has more couches for lounging and even a giant hamster wheel made for cats.
Then there’s the third floor. Be careful entering this room because you’ll likely fall in love with the kittens that roam the area. Only four people at a time are allowed in this room due to its size and the little critters runnin’ around.
To get things roasting, the cat lounge has teamed up with Cartel Coffee and have blend for sale right meow online — their very own El Jefe Cat Cafe Coffee. This coffee blend is an Arizona-roasted, single-origin, Colombian “catfee.” In other words, it’s “chocolate and caramel with an attitude.”
Plus, they’re serving coffee flavor additions like vegan chocolate, peppermint, and hazelnut, and you’ve got plenty of milk alternatives like oat, soy, almond, and coconut.
They also sell fun gifts for your feline friends in the cafe — some can be purchased online, too — including a Catt Butt Keychain, Cat Wine, and Colorado Kitty Pot (it’s catnip).
El Jefe Cat Café has been opening for a few weeks now but they’re officially hosting the Grand Opening on Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
There’s a lot happening at the party including a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony and a “Crazy Cat Lady Costume Contest” at noon. From 3 – 5 p.m., they’re hosting a cat painting event, which is $18 per person (reservation required) and includes the 8″ x 8″ canvas.
Then, happening all day, they’ll be offering cat-themed cookies, cat-themed face painting, and free drip coffee.
El Jefe Cat Lounge is located at 3025 N. Campbell Ave. #141. For more information, visit eljefecatlounge.com and follow El Jefe Cat Lounge on Facebook and Instagram.
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