Last Updated on 2 January 2026 by Vanessa
Are you looking for cafés for cat lovers in Arizona? You’ve come to the right place. With feline-filled spots in Phoenix, Tucson, and beyond, there are several purr-fect places to visit across the state.
Arizona’s cat café scene started in 2017 with the opening of La Gattara Cat Lounge & Boutique (now known PHX Cat Café). Other locations quickly followed, including Kitty Pause Cat Lounge in Mesa and El Jefe Cat Café and Hunter’s Kitten Lounge in Tucson. These cafés create inviting spaces where you can spend time with cats while supporting local rescues.
Cat cafés are also a great addition to your travels, as many offer time slots for short visits—perfect for a lunch break.
Keep reading to discover all the cat cafés in Arizona and find your new favorite feline hangout!
These are the cat cafés in Arizona!
El Jefé Cat Café in Tuscon
El Jefé Cat Café sits in central Tucson, just north of the University area.
The lounge usually hosts around 25 to 35 cats at a time, depending on adoptions and new arrivals. All cats come from Arizona-based rescue partners and are adoptable.
The name “El Jefé” is inspired by a famous jaguar once spotted in the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson. Locals nicknamed the elusive cat “El Jefé,” meaning “the boss” in Spanish.
- Address: El Jefe Cat Café, 3025 N Campbell Ave Suite 151, Tucson, AZ 85719, United States.
- Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 am – 07:00 pm. Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am – 08:00 pm.
- Price: $14 for 1 hour.
- Reservations: They allow walk-ins, but online reservations are available.
- Child policy: All ages are welcome, as long as children follow the rules and respect the cats. Everyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Menu: The menu keeps things simple and refreshing. It includes coffee, tea, lemonade, and sweet treats like gelato.
- Website: www.eljefecatlounge.com
Hunter’s Kitten Lounge in Tuscon
Hunter’s Kitten Lounge sits in midtown Tucson and focuses on kittens and young cats from Southern Arizona rescue partners. The lounge usually cares for about 20 to 30 cats at a time, all available for adoption.
The lounge takes its name from Hunter, a rescue kitten who, despite intensive care and lots of love, passed away from fading kitten syndrome. That loss sparked the idea for a place dedicated to giving fragile kittens extra time, attention, and socialization, especially those who need more than a traditional shelter can offer.
Hunter’s Kitten Lounge also hosts events such as kitten yoga, art and craft nights, seasonal celebrations, and private group gatherings.
- Address: Hunter’s Kitten Lounge, 5319 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85712, United States.
- Opening hours: Wednesday & Thursday, 10:00 am – 07:00 pm. Friday, 10:00 am – 05:30 pm. Saturday, 10:00 am – 07:00 pm. Sunday, 11:00 am – 06:30 pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Price: $15 for 80 minutes. Monthly memberships are available.
- Reservations: Walk-ins are only welcome if space and time allows, so it’s best to reserve your visit in advance.
- Child policy: All ages are welcome, but for every two children, there must be at least one adult supervising them.
- Menu: Coffee, cold drinks, and pre-packaged snacks.
- Website: hunterskittenlounge.org
Kitty Pause Café in Mesa
Kitty Pause Café is based in the East Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Several bus lines stop nearby, including 48, 96, DBUZ, FBUZ, and 104.
All the cats at the café come from local Arizona rescue partners, and the adoptions take place through those partner rescues.
- Address: Kitty Pause Café, Pavilions Shopping Center, 1837 W Guadalupe Rd UNIT 107, Mesa, AZ 85202, United States.
- Opening hours: Monday and Thursday, 11:00 am – 07:00 pm. Friday, 11:00 am – 08:00 pm. Saturday, 10:00 am – 07:00 pm. Sunday, 12:00 pm – 06:00 pm. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- Price: $15 for 1 hour.
- Reservations: Reservations are highly recommended, especially for special events.
- Child policy: Children under the age of 6 are not allowed inside the cat lounge. At least one adult per three children is required.
- Menu: Pre-packaged bakery items and drinks.
- Website: kittypausecafe.com
PHX Cat Café in Phoenix
This cat café in downtown Phoenix started as La Gattara and became PHX Cat Cafe in 2020, turning into a nonprofit dedicated to cat rescue and adoption.
PHX Cat Café houses 15 to 25 adult cats at a time. All the cats come from rescue partners in the Valley or are rescued directly by the café. They arrive fully vaccinated and spayed/neutered. The café sometimes brings in cats from local colonies as well.
They also host yoga sessions, trivia nights, paint nights, and drag bingo. The lounge also opens for private gatherings, such as birthday parties or small group events.
- Address: PHX Cat Café, 147 E Garfield St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States.
- Opening hours: Monday, Thursday, and Sunday, 10:00 am – 02:00 pm & 03:00 pm – 06:00 pm. Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am – 02:00 am & 03:00 pm – 08:00 pm. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- Price: $17 for 1 hour.
- Reservations: The number of guests in the cat lounge is limited, so make sure to reserve your visit in advance.
- Child policy: All ages are welcome, but children under 13. must be accompanied by an adult. Walk-ins are not allowed for groups with children.
- Menu: Espresso, tea, smoothies, and Italian sodas alongside light snacks.
- Website: phxcatcafe.org
Cat cafés in Arizona that are closed
- La Gattara Cat Café & Boutique in Phoenix (this is now PHX Cat Café)
Conclusion: visiting cafés for cat lovers in Arizona and beyond
Arizona is filled with wonderful cafés for cat lovers, and we hope this guide has helped you discover your next favorite hangout!
Have you visited any of these cat cafés, or adopted a new furry friend during your visit? Share your experiences in the comments. We’d love to hear your stories.
If you’re eager for more cat café adventures, why not explore the feline-friendly spots in neighboring states? California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Texas all have amazing cat cafés waiting to be discovered. Every visit helps support rescue efforts, so spread the word by sharing this article with your fellow cat-loving friends!
If you’re looking for cat cafés beyond the US, you can explore my guides covering cat cafés all around the world.
The perfect read for cat lovers
If you’re visiting one of Arizona’s cat cafés, why not bring along a feline-inspired read? Avalon is the perfect choice.
This heartwarming book tells the story of Avalon, a beloved Belgian cat who became a movie star. It’s a touching and funny memoir that any cat lover will adore.
Available in both English and French, it’s a great way to enjoy some quiet reading time with the adoptable cats of a cat café.
Pin this list of cat cafés in Arizona!
