Beijing’s Hidden Black Cat Café Serves Handbrew Coffee in a Hutong

In the narrow alleys of Beijing’s Old Drum Tower district, where courtyard homes press close and mopeds weave through narrow lanes, one coffee shop stands out—not for its location, but for its six permanent feline residents and its quiet cult following among pour-over enthusiasts. Tucked inside a renovated courtyard house along Dashi Bridge Hutong, EmptyCup Café is as much a sanctuary for black cats as it is a haven for those chasing the perfect manual brew.

This Beijing hutong coffee spot is home to six black cats and serves handbrew coffee using cloth filters—a setup that has earned it a reputation as China’s first black cat café. Its dual identity draws both cat lovers and specialty coffee drinkers to its low-lit, music-filled interior.

A Cat-Filled Café Above Beijing’s Hutongs

Nestled along Dashi Bridge Hutong in Beijing’s Old Drum Tower area, EmptyCup Café occupies a modest space with a steep stairway leading to a lofted seating area. The decor is an eclectic mix: coffee gear and bottles line the counter, while soft lighting and classic rock ballads—think James Blunt’s “You Are Beautiful”—set a relaxed mood. Most patrons trickle in alone or in small groups, sprawling on couches to sip coffee and unwind.

The café’s offbeat location and unpolished charm mean most visitors aren’t locals grabbing a quick cup—they’re deliberately seeking it out. Patrons fall into two camps: those here for the pour-over coffee, and those here for the cats.

Six Black Cats and a Feline-Focused Identity

EmptyCup is officially known online as “China’s first black cat café,” thanks to its six resident felines—all black, each with distinct personalities. The cats weren’t part of the original plan. Co-owner Ma Xianglong (aka “Longlong”) and his partner Li Shirong (nickname “Maomao”) opened the café as a straightforward specialty coffee spot, importing beans and brewing manually. They lived above the shop and occasionally hosted their own pet cat. That changed when the couple began taking in cats abandoned by friends who could no longer care for them due to allergies, moves, or pregnancies.

“We ended up with six black cats. We didn’t plan it—it just happened,” Ma recalls. Though each cat technically has a name, many guests can’t tell them apart. But Ma recognizes one sociable feline: “That’s Xiaoxiaohei,” he says, pointing to a friendly, outgoing kitty.

To balance hygiene and ambiance, the café created a dedicated glass-enclosed “cat lounge” near the entrance staircase. This enclosure keeps the cats contained yet visible, preserving cleanliness in the serving area while giving visitors a clear view. The lounge is decorated with art prints and sketches—reflecting the aesthetic taste of Maomao, who has a background in visual arts and currently works in theater. Even the sloped ceiling features hand-drawn illustrations detailing the history of pour-over brewing.

Though inspired by Japan’s famed Nekobiyaka cat café (which claims to be the world’s first black cat-themed café), EmptyCup has forged its own path by merging feline hospitality with serious coffee culture.

Pour-Over Focus and Cat Cafe Culture

EmptyCup serves manually brewed coffee using the classic pour-over method: a single kettle, a cloth filter (typically a fabric dripper like a Melitta or similar), and precise control over water temperature and pouring technique. The setup requires skill and attention, appealing to coffee aficionados who value clarity and nuance in their brews.

The café’s branding leans into both coffee and cat aesthetics. The name “black cat café” ties neatly into mystique and internet lore—some promotional material even quotes astrologers claiming that encountering a black cat brings good fortune in the coming week. This playful positioning, combined with the cats’ photogenic presence, has generated buzz on social platforms like Douban, drawing curious visitors from across the city.

But the café hasn’t ignored the challenges of combining cats and caffeine. As patron numbers grew, so did disruptions. “Guests love to pick up and play with the cats, but by the end of the day, they’re exhausted,” Ma explains. To protect the cats’ wellbeing, new rules now limit interactions: no picking cats up, no chasing, and no entry for young children. Clear signage on the glass enclosure reminds visitors to keep interactions calm and respectful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is EmptyCup Café located?

EmptyCup Café is located in Dashi Bridge Hutong, along Beijing’s Old Drum Tower Street , in a traditional courtyard-style building with a lofted upstairs seating area.

How many black cats live at the café?

The café is home to six black cats. They are not named for easy identification, though one—Xiaoxiaohei—is known to be friendly and sociable.

What kind of coffee does EmptyCup serve?

EmptyCup specializes in manual pour-over coffee, using single-origin beans and cloth filters. The brewing process involves precise control of variables such as water temperature and pouring technique.

Is the café really China’s first black cat café?

EmptyCup is widely referred to as China’s first black cat café online. While Japan’s Nekobiyaka claims a similar title globally, EmptyCup developed its own distinct style blending feline care with pour-over culture.

Can visitors interact freely with the cats?

No. Due to concerns for the cats’ wellbeing, guests are asked not to pick up or chase the cats, and interactions must remain gentle. Children under a certain age are not allowed inside.

What inspired the café’s design and theme?

The café’s aesthetic combines elements of vintage music, manual coffee brewing, and cat-loving culture. The upstairs loft features art and posters related to both coffee and the cats, including hand-drawn illustrations of pour-over history on the ceiling.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Manual Brewing

For fans of EmptyCup’s pour-over style, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Guji Huacheng or Yirgacheffe Kochere—both showcase bright acidity and floral notes ideal for manual brewing. The Huacheng offers lemon, bergamot and peach, while Kochere delivers crisp citrus and floral tones. Both work beautifully with cloth filters and highlight the craftsmanship behind each cup. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.