Seattle Meowtropolitan Unlocks Its Doors December 19

Eater has been tracking the progress of the city's first cat cafe, Seattle Meowtropolitan, since August, and now we're here to tell you that the opening date is upon us. The Wallingford cafe will open its doors to the public on December 19.

Here's how it works: You'll make a reservation for a 50-minute session, which costs $10 per person and includes a drink from the next-door cafe. You're allowed to bring your drink (and a baked good, if you choose to purchase one) into the cat room, but you have to finish it there and dispose of your to-go containers before you leave. The reservation link is now live on the Seattle Meowtropolitan website.

During your session, you'll hang out with adoptable cats that have come from a local shelter. The cat room includes various wall-mounted shelves, cat toys and beds, and a massive central jungle gym of sorts. A common misconception, says co-owner Matt Lai, is that you can bring your own cat to the cat cafe. Please don't be the noob that does this.

For now, the team is planning to be open for cat visits from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays. They'll close briefly from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. to give the cats a break. The cafe will likely open earlier, around 9 a.m., to allow people to come in and get coffee only. You can also buy coffee at any time and sit in the cafe and watch the cats through the windows separating the two spaces. Meowtropolitan may change things up as it gets a feel for things. To start, there are about 10 free-roaming cats in the space.

Seattle Meowtropolitan is located at 1225 N 45th St. in Wallingford.