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The idea of bringing animals into cafes is nothing new. Cafes featuring cats, dogs, owls, or even reptiles have sprung up in many places around the world. However, when it comes to cafes with rats, only Rat Café in San Francisco is the first of its kind.
The Rat Café, located in a San Francisco dungeon, is filled with historical artifacts and memorabilia from the American Civil War. Visitors can enjoy coffee and pastries surrounded by rats. Those with a fear of rats might be terrified if they step inside this unique café.
The San Francisco Dungeon, a popular tourist attraction for Americans and locals alike, is renowned for its spooky atmosphere and the city's rich and colorful 200-year history. Matthew Clarkson, spokesperson for the San Francisco Dungeon, stated, "We wanted to create a humorous yet slightly unsettling encounter with these mischievous furry balls," and affirmed that this rat cafe "is not for the faint of heart."
These rats are not ordinary rats caught on the streets; they all belong to Rattie Ratz, a non-profit organization in Northern California that specializes in rescuing and caring for pet rats. Members of the group train and educate them to become docile and friendly towards humans.
That's why the rats in the Rat Café are treated like pets. They are free to roam around the tables, floors, and even dishes, and are well-cared for and kept clean. Because they are domesticated, they are bold and friendly to all customers who come to the café. If you love rats, you can adopt one.
Currently, the mouse cafe serves customers breakfast and allows them to play with mice for $50. Customers can admire historical exhibits themed around the San Francisco Dungeons, enjoy coffee and pastries in the lounge area, and finally, spend 15 minutes playing with friendly mice while also learning about the bubonic plague that caused the Black Death in the early 20th century.
Visitors can enjoy afternoon tea with their rodent companions with peace of mind, as the Humane Society of the United States states that pet mice are intelligent and social animals, very clean, and love frequent interaction. They will be wonderful companions to your coffee, providing a great experience.
In addition, the rat cafe also serves famous dishes like Ratatouille – a wordplay in English because Ratatouille contains the word "Rat," meaning mouse. However, this is actually a famous French stewed vegetable dish, and the word "Rat" in Ratatouille has no relation to or meaning mouse.
Cole Kourvais, a representative of the rat cafe, shared: “This is a reminder that in the 1900s, rats were man's number one enemy. Now, many people accept them as ‘pets’ in their homes.”
Thanks to its trained rats, the rat cafe has become incredibly popular in the city. Every day, thousands of people line up hoping to play with the cute rats.
