You flirty rat! London tourist attraction opens 'Rat Cafe' - where customers can mix with real-life rodents and drink 'Ratuccinos'

London Dungeon creates quirky cafe where customers can drink with rats

Guests are able to handle the 'misunderstood' rodents as they enjoy a coffee



For a good ten years now, coffee has been Britain’s new obsession – with high street chains popping up everywhere to challenge our image as a nation of tea drinkers.

But the new brand of caffeine launched by a major tourist attraction may be a step too far for even the most latté-obsessed fans of hot beverages.

Not necessarily everyone's cup of coffee: You may need a strong stomach to try the Rat Cafe

London Dungeon – an enclave of spooky corridors and shock-tactic exhibits which looks at the darker side of the history of the capital city – is celebrating the opening of its Rat Café, and with it, the chance for guests to enjoy a nice mug of ‘Ratuccino’.

The concept has been dreamed up in response to the current Japanese craze for ‘Cat Cafes’ – where customers sip lunchtime drinks in the company of resident felines.

Mixed reception: Some guests at the cafe seemed pleased to meet the 'locals' - others seemed less sure

This London version, as you might have guessed, involves not purring moggies but scampering, twitching – and very real – rodents.

Brave souls can also opt to eat at the café – where, if they can stomach the bad pun as much as the very idea of it – they can try Black Forest Rateux.

Health and safety officials will be relieved to hear that neither food nor drink at the Rat Café includes rats as genuine ingredients – but willing guests can, if they so choose, enjoy both while the little creatures dash about the room, or even sit on their shoulders.

Pleased to meet you: Cafe customers cosy up to the London Dungeon rats, and even find time for a selfie



Although this unusual form of catering is largely for fun, there is also a mildly serious point to it – an attempt to rehabilitate the image of a much-maligned creature.

‘Rats have been tarnished with an undeserved reputation throughout history – from the Black Death of the Middle Ages to the great stink of Victorian times,’ says Hywel Mathias of London Dungeon.

Up close and personal: Customers were able to handle the much-maligned rodents as they sipped 'Ratuccinos'

‘We wanted to challenge those perceptions and show they are actually characterful and full of fun.’

Eighteen rats were unleashed on café guests – all of whom have rodent day jobs at the London Dungeon, and have been vetted to mingle with the public.

‘We have 18 rodents living here, and they are a huge hit with our guests, who get to see them close up in their special display, with giant viewing windows,’ Mr Mathias adds.

A surprise success: Although the Rat Cafe was a one-off special, London Dungeon may make it a regular event

‘Our café takes that a step further, and lets people get even closer, handle them, stroke them and really get to know them.’

Although the Rat Café was a one-off for a group of rat-loving guests, London Dungeon is considering making the idea a regular event.