We dog lovers have been twiddling out thumbs since August, when we first mentioned the forthcoming debut of Boris & Horton, New York City’s first dog cafe. Five (long) months have passed since then, but the time has finally arrived: Boris & Horton is slated to open this January and we can’t stop our tails from wagging in anticipation.
To clarify, Boris & Horton — named after the owners Coppy Holzman and Logan Mikhly’s own dogs — won’t operate the same way as Japanese cat cafes do. Officially, it’s New York’s first Department of Health approved dog-friendly café, where both two-and-four-legged patrons can find a cozy place to hang. This means there won’t be resident dogs roaming around, waiting to be adopted. Instead, patrons are encouraged to bring their own canine friends, according to Grub Street. But don’t fret if you’re not a dog owner yourself: Boris & Horton is meant to foster a sense of community with dogs simply helping to “break the ice.” In fact, the cafe takes over the East Village space (on 195 Avenue A.) that formerly housed Ost, conveniently located next to the doggie hot spot that is Tompkins Square Park. Inside Boris & Horton, there will be two sections: a cafe side that offers coffee, house-made toast, pastries (from Balthazar, Bien Cuit and Husk Bakeshop), and beer & wine (during the evenings), as well as a “dog side,” which is comprised of a seating area, a canine-themed shop and a “puppy Instagram booth.” For those who want to quickly grab a brew or a tasty treat, there will also be an outdoor walk-up window, and the cafe will host adoption events and fundraisers during the weekends. Boris & Horton’s soft opening takes place in mid-January, so be sure to rally up your friends and their canine companions for the occasion. Next, check out 5 Pet Cafes in NYC: Eat, Sip, and Play With Your Furry Friends and read about Meow Parlor, NYC’s First Permanent Cat Café.
