London Dungeon’s Café Serves Coffee With 18 Resident Rats

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to sip coffee while 18 rats scurry around your feet—or occasionally climb onto your shoulder—London Dungeon has launched an experience that’s equal parts bizarre and bold. Set inside one of the UK’s most infamous horror attractions, this café blends coffee culture with close encounters of the rodent kind.

Yes, you can enjoy coffee in the London Dungeon while 18 rats move freely around the space—and some may even climb onto you. The café is currently home to 18 resident rats who interact with visitors under supervised, safe conditions.

What Is the Rat Café at London Dungeon?

The Rat Café is a new feature inside the London Dungeon, a long-running tourist attraction that dramatizes the city’s grimmer historical episodes, from the Great Fire to the plague. Inspired by Japan’s popular cat cafés—where visitors relax with feline companions—this version brings rats into the café space. The idea is simple: enjoy a drink while rats roam, interact, and, in some cases, climb onto guests.

Why Rats? Challenging a Negative Reputation

The café isn’t just a gimmick—it’s also a deliberate effort to reshape public perception. “Throughout history, rats have been given an unfair reputation,” said Hywel Mathias, a manager at the London Dungeon. He pointed to associations with the Black Death in the Middle Ages and poor sanitation in Victorian times. The café aims to show “a unique and joyful side” of rats, challenging the view that they’re nothing but pests.

Meet the Rats: 18 Rodent Ambassadors

The café is home to 18 rats, all trained to interact with humans. According to Mathias, these rats are “very attractive to guests” and offer a rare chance for close-up encounters. Visitors can observe, feed, and even be climbed on by the rats under controlled conditions. The rodents are the main attraction—and the main staff, so to speak.

Is It Safe? Health and Safety Assured

Despite the unusual setup, health and safety are not compromised. The café serves standard food and beverages, none of which contain rat-derived ingredients. The rats are kept in a controlled environment where they can move freely but do not contaminate food. While they may walk across tables or hop onto patrons, the venue ensures a clean and safe experience for everyone involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the rats actually climb on people at the London Dungeon café?

Yes, the rats sometimes climb onto customers’ shoulders or otherwise interact closely with visitors. This is part of the intended experience, and the interactions are supervised to ensure safety and comfort for both rats and humans.

What kind of food and drinks are served at the rat café?

The café serves standard coffee and food items. Importantly, none of the food or beverages contain any rat-derived ingredients. The focus is on providing a safe, normal café menu alongside the unique rat interaction experience.

How many rats live in the London Dungeon café?

There are 18 rats residing in the café. These rats are described as friendly and comfortable around humans, serving as the main interactive feature of the space.

Is the rat café hygienic and safe?

Yes. The London Dungeon management assures that health and safety regulations are fully met. The rats do not come into contact with food preparation areas, and the food served does not contain any rat elements. The environment is maintained to be clean and safe for visitors.

What is the goal of the rat café?

The café aims to challenge the negative historical and cultural perceptions of rats by showcasing their more positive, social, and interactive qualities. The staff hope to present rats as “unique and joyful” creatures rather than pests.