Last Updated on 2 July 2025 by Vanessa
Step into the world of Kristin Cowan, the mastermind behind Mount Purrnon Cat Café and Wine Bar in Alexandria, VA. She spills the beans on her feline obsession, the inception of Mount Purrnon, the heartwarming mission to rehome older and harder-to-adopt cats, the many reasons to explore Alexandria, and a whole lot more. With lots of interesting information and 18 photos, why not grab a cup of cat-puccino (or a glass of wine), and get ready for a treat!
Exclusive interview with Kristin Cowan, the creative force behind Mount Purrnon
What makes Mount Purrnon stand out from other cat cafés in the US?
Mount Purrnon prides itself in taking the hardest-to-adopt cats. Unlike the vast majority of cat cafés in the US, we do not take kittens. Since kittens are usually the first to be adopted, we prefer to take senior cats or those that have been in a shelter long-term. We also have a café and wine bar downstairs.
With exceptions such as the Middle East and the Caribbean, most of our cats come from shelters in southern Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Tennessee.
Prior to ending up in shelters, the cats have a variety of backgrounds; many were strays and found outdoors. Others were owner surrenders or ended up in shelters after their owners passed away or could no longer take care of them.
At Mount Purrnon, they have a comfortable and safe place to hang out and play until they get adopted.
Could you walk us through the early inspirations and motivations that fueled the inception of Mount Purrnon?
I decided to open Mount Purrnon when the demands of my law enforcement career left me feeling burnt out, prompting what I termed my quarter-life crisis. I wanted to pursue something I felt passionate about.
I had always thought that blending cats and wine could turn into an amazing business. So when I saw that other cat cafés were opening in the US, incorporating actual cafés or wine bars into their establishments, I decided to start the process.
The motivation behind Mount Purrnon was twofold: to create a therapeutic space for guests and to help save cats in need.
As a colonial history nerd, I also knew it would be a cute theme to add to the concept. So I made my cat Weasley the mascot (the ginger in the tricorn hat) and started business planning. This was particularly difficult since we were the first cat café in Virginia to serve food and drinks.
We started a Kickstarter in 2018, both to raise some funds but also to see if anyone would be interested in a cat wine bar in Alexandria, VA. When we hit our goal, there was no turning back.
It took a couple of years to get it off the ground – between the various special permits, finding the perfect location and space (many landlords are reluctant to rent to first-time business owners, let alone those bringing 20-30 cats into their buildings), and then, of course, COVID. Just as we received the special use permit from the city in February 2020, giving us the green light to start construction, the pandemic threw an unexpected curveball. We had to decide whether to back out or push forward through the extra obstacles, but we powered through.
Who is the creative mind behind Mount Purrnon? What can you tell me about yourself?
My life is really all cats right now, haha. I work at the café almost every day, all day, but I enjoy it. I handle the business side of things, but I also do bartending, front desk, cat care, and basic vet work.
When I need to decompress, I am the typical cat lady where I relax with Weasley while watching True Crime documentaries.
I have a Master’s in Psychology and previous work history in law enforcement and threat assessment.
I am certified in Fear Free Shelters, I am a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), and I was recently recognized for the 40 under 40 award in Alexandria.
My partner Adam is also my business partner, and we live with our cats Weasley, Wally, and Yosef in Old Town Alexandria.
We also adopted one cat that is the resident greeter at the cat café. Her name is Colleen Robinson, a nod to What We Do In The Shadows. She is a special needs cat that was born in the alley behind the cat café.
I love the incorporation of Alexandria’s history into your cat café experience. Could you elaborate on the specifics of how this historical aspect is woven into the visitor’s journey?
We have a library of books that touch on local and colonial history, as well as guides to the area that provide guests with any information they may need during their visit.
We have also partnered with local historical landmarks for events, such as George Washington’s Mount Vernon and the Lee-Fendall House.
The Mount Purrnon menu includes several grilled cheese options, as well as salads, cheese plates, and hummus with pita chips.
Many of the offerings on the menu are gluten-free, including bread (upon request). However, please note that it isn’t a gluten-free kitchen. We also offer cookies, cupcakes, and brownies that are gluten-free. These are pre-packaged before they are brought in.
We host a variety of monthly events, including tarot readings, yoga with cats, meditation, and wine tasting.
Typically, our events take place upstairs with the cats, except for wine tastings, where guests can opt for a package that includes cat time upstairs following the tasting.
During tarot nights, guests enjoy their time upstairs until their turn, and then they receive their readings downstairs in a more private setting.
Other seasonal special events include Drag Bingo during Purride Month, our annual Purry Blossom Weekend, Halloween and Holidays Trivia, and more.
All of the current events can be booked through the website.
For readers who can’t adopt but are eager to support the cats anyway, what avenues are available for them to contribute or assist?
Guests can visit Mount Purrnon anytime to just hang out with the cats; they do not need to adopt. Many people come just to play and cuddle with the cats, to telework, or to engage in some cat therapy. In fact, all of the adoption fees go to our partner, Fancy Cats, so we survive on reservations to see our feline residents, merchandise, and bar sales.
Guests do not even need to visit the cats at all. They can just hang out or work from our downstairs café/wine bar area.
If they are not local, they can donate or purchase merchandise on our website (see below). There, they can also see the list of cats that live at Mount Purrnon Cat Café and Wine Bar. They can purchase a cat sponsorship on our website if they want to help pay for a cat’s litter, food, medicine, etc. It is a great holiday gift!
For those contemplating a visit to Mount Purrnon and seeking that extra incentive, could you highlight the reasons why Alexandria is a must-visit destination?
Alexandria is a city with a small-town feel. It has a ton of local businesses, great food, and a warm community. It is right outside Washington, DC, and is a great day trip from anywhere in MD, DC, or VA.
It has been a significant port city for all of US history, and you can’t go far without seeing a historical building. George Washington’s Mount Vernon is just down the road, and his family’s homes, offices, and taverns are in Old Town.
For those planning a visit to Mount Purrnon, could you offer recommendations for hotels in the nearby area?
We are right across from the Morrison House, which is a luxury hotel with a full bar. They also hold special events and weddings there.
If visitors want a more historical accommodation, the Alexandrian is right on the main street and is the location of the first death of the Civil War.
Other more budget-friendly options include the Residence Inn and Hampton Inn, which are in the city but require a slightly more extended walk.
Is there something you would like to add?
I think the main thing people should know about cat cafés is that it is not just a cool business where cats hang out.
We are rescuing cats at risk for euthanasia, taking care of them medically and behaviorally, and trying to find them the perfect forever home. There is so much going on behind the scenes. Some cats have had a traumatic past, from hoarder homes, abuse, abandonment, death of an owner etc. Not all of them come to us as the most cuddly, social, healthy cats. It takes a lot of work to get them where they need to be sometimes.
Also, I always ask people to take a chance on a shy cat. The cat that doesn’t come up and jump on your lap here may just be intimidated by the more dominant cats and need some extra TLC. Often, they are the ones that become the biggest lovebugs when they know they are safe in a home.
Practical information
Address
Mount Purrnon Cat Café & Wine Bar, 109 S Alfred St, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA.
Opening times
- Monday: 12:00 pm to 06:00 pm
- Tuesday: Closed.
- Wednesday: 12:00 pm to 08:00 pm
- Thursday: 12:00 pm to 08:00 pm
- Friday: 12:00 pm to 08:00 pm
- Saturday: 11:00 am to 09:00 pm
- Sunday: 12:00 pm to 06:00 pm
Reservations
Mount Purrnon highly recommends making reservations, particularly on weekends and holidays, to secure your spot, as they have a limit of 12 people per hour in the cat room.
Walk-ins are welcomed based on availability.
Reservations can be made through the “Book Your Visit” button at the top of the Mount Purrnon website, in the menu on your mobile device, or by calling at 703-567-1138.
No reservations are necessary for the café/bar area.
Entrance fee
As with many other cat cafés, there is an entry fee to access the cat lounge ($20 for adults and $15 for kids between five and 12 – children under five are not permitted in the cat lounge). This fee allows for one hour with the cats.
There is no entrance fee for the café/bar area.
Day Passes and Monthly Passes can also be bought via the “Book Your Visit” button on the website.
Day Passes allow you to come and go during business hours for the day you purchased. You can stay for as long as you want, and are free to leave and come back later in the day. However, these Day Passes are not available for weekend days due to limited capacity.
Monthly Passes allow you to come and go during business hours for 30 days, beginning on the day purchased. This also gives you free or discounted access to most of the special events.
Adoption fees
- One cat (ages six months – seven years): $200
- One cat (ages eight and older): $100
- Two cats under seven years: $300
- Fee Sponsored Cats are free for approved adopters.
Kindly be aware that Mount Purrnon does not reserve or “hold” cats. If you express interest in a cat but cannot take them home within a week, they cannot guarantee their availability when you’re ready. Given the constant need to rescue cats from high-risk shelters, their aim is to create space quickly for new arrivals.
Other amazing cat cafés in the US
- The Witty Whisker (St. Augustine, Florida)
- Meowtropolitan (Seattle, Washington)
- Tiny Lions (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
- The Shabby Tabby (Sayville, Long Island NY)
Have a look at all the other cat cafés around the world that we’ve visited and reviewed!
If you are dreaming about opening your own cat café, the book Drinks & Whiskers: How You Can Open a Successful Cat Café by Angeli Rodriguez is a must-read!
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