London Dungeon Opens Café with 18 Resident Rats

If you’ve ever visited a cat or rabbit café, you know the appeal: a warm drink in one hand, a purring or hopping companion in the other. But a new experience in London pushes that idea further — way further. Deep within the historic London Dungeon, a pop-up café has opened where the companions aren’t felines or lagomorphs, but rodents. Specifically: 18 rats.

Yes, 18 live rats roam freely in this café, joining customers for coffee. They may scamper around your feet, hop onto tables, or even snatch a nibble or sip if you’re not careful — and yes, you can pet them too. Rest assured, though: none of the food or drinks contain rat ingredients.

What Is This Rat Café, Exactly?

The rodent café is a temporary pop-up located inside the London Dungeon, a well-known tourist attraction that dramatizes the darker chapters of the city’s history. Rather than serving as a conventional coffee shop, this is a themed experience where visitors can sip beverages while being joined — or occasionally joined upon — by a group of 18 rats. The rats move freely throughout the space, creating an interactive, if unconventional, atmosphere.

Why Are There Rats in a Coffee Shop?

According to Hywel Mathias, a manager at the London Dungeon, the concept stems from Japan’s popular cat cafés but takes a deliberately provocative turn. “Rats have had a terrible reputation throughout British history,” Mathias explained, “and we wanted to challenge that notion.” The goal is to reframe the public perception of rats, showcasing their more playful and engaging side rather than their typical vilification.

How Does the Café Work in Practice?

Visitors enter the space much like any other themed café, but instead of avoiding contact with animals, interaction is encouraged. The 18 rats roam untethered — they may climb on furniture, investigate personal belongings, or sneak a taste of snacks. Staff assure guests the animals are harmless, and food safety protocols ensure no rodent-related contamination occurs. While the primary draw is the novelty, the café also serves as a social experiment in shifting perceptions.

What’s the Background of This London Attraction?

The London Dungeon is not a traditional museum but an immersive, horror-themed experience that guides visitors through macabre and disturbing moments from London’s past. From the Great Fire to infamous executions and plague outbreaks, the venue uses actors, special effects, and storytelling to entertain and educate. The rat café fits as part of its edgy, boundary-pushing ethos.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many rats are in the London Dungeon café?

There are exactly 18 rats that live in and roam the café area. They are free to move around the space and interact with visitors as they please.

Is the food or drink in the rat café made with rat products?

No, the London Dungeon has confirmed that none of the food or beverages served in the café contain any rat-derived ingredients. It is safe to eat and drink while the rats are present.

Can you touch or pet the rats in the café?

Yes, visitors are allowed — and even encouraged — to touch or pet the rats. The animals are accustomed to human interaction and are generally friendly.

Where is the rat café located?

The café is located inside the London Dungeon, a tourist attraction known for its horror-themed exhibits on London’s dark history. It is not a standalone business, but a temporary pop-up experience within the larger venue.

What’s the purpose of having a rat café?

The café aims to challenge the long-standing negative perception of rats in British culture. By showcasing their playful behavior and allowing close human interaction, the London Dungeon hopes to present rats in a more positive and entertaining light.

Is the rat café permanent?

No, the rat café is a pop-up experience, not a permanent fixture. It is part of a broader themed event or exhibit within the London Dungeon and may not be available indefinitely.

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