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| Bailey the Lion | Photo: LA Kings |
Cat lovers in Los Angeles will discover that their feline friends are everywhere in the city. From kitty adoption centers to close encounters with big cats, read on for the best cat places in LA to visit on International Cat Day (August 8), National Cat Day (October 29), or right meow!
1) BAILEY THE LION - LA KINGS
1111 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles 90015213-742-7100
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The official mascot of the LA Kings, Bailey the Lion wears number 72 "because it's always 72 degrees in Los Angeles." Originally introduced in 2007, Bailey has cheered on the Kings through their first two Stanley Cup championships. Bailey is named in honor of Garnet "Ace" Bailey, the team's Director of Pro Scouting, who was aboard United Airlines Flight 175 on 9/11. Ace Bailey's legacy is honored through his namesake's work with the community and the nonprofit Kings Care Foundation.
Fans can request Bailey for their events - the 30-minute appearance includes a meet & greet and photo ops.
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2) THE BLACK CAT
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| The Black Cat | Photo: OpenTable |
323-661-6369
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The Black Cat in Silver Lake is a warm and inviting bar with attentive staff, handsome design, good food and cocktails. But The Black Cat is much more than a bustling neighborhood tavern. The Stonewall Inn in New York is widely regarded as the flashpoint that gave rise to LGBTQ pride. However, the original Black Cat was the site of a peaceful demonstration that took place on Feb. 11, 1967 - two and a half years before the 1969 Stonewall riots. A plaque mounted on the exterior of The Black Cat declares it as "the site of the first documented LGBT civil rights demonstration in the nation." In 2008, the City of Los Angeles recognized The Black Cat as Historic Cultural Monument No. 939. The demonstration that’s commemorated by the plaque stemmed from police raids that took place on New Year’s Eve 1967 at The Black Cat and other gay bars in the area.
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3) CATCAFE LOUNGE
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| Elizabeth at CatCafe Lounge | Photo: @catcafelounge, Instagram |
323-645-9113
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Located on Sepulveda Boulevard in West L.A., the nonprofit CatCafe Lounge is a cat lover's "purradise." All of CatCafe Lounge's cats are rescued by their rescue partner, Kitten Rescue. Every cat at the cafe is spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
At any given time, up to 30 adoptable feline residents enjoy natural light, lots of vertical space options, creative solutions for scratching, plenty of nooks and crannies for napping, and toys for simulated hunting and chasing.
The tax-deductible $35 donation includes access to the indoor Cat and Kitten Lounges; and the outdoor Catio (not covered) for an hour, plus a free freshly brewed coffee or tea. Ages 7 and up. Guests 7-11 years old must be accompanied by a chaperone over the age of 18. Private parties are available.
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4) THE CAT & FIDDLE
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| Bangers & Mash with mushy peas at The Cat & Fiddle Photo: @thecatandfiddle, Instagram |
323-468-3800
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The Cat & Fiddle was originally opened in 1982 by London native, Kim Gardner and his New Orleanian wife, Paula. A bassist and integral part of the British Rock invasion of the 1960s and '70s, Gardner played in bands such as Quiet Melon (with Rod Stewart) and The Birds (with Ron Wood). Music eventually brought him to Hollywood, where he opened a British pub in Laurel Canyon "because there wasn't one." The small nook was Gardner's personal playground and became a favorite watering hole for the entertainment industry. In 1985, the Cat moved into a larger location on Sunset Boulevard that featured one of the best patios in L.A. and counted Morrissey among the regulars.
After closing in December 2014, the beloved pub moved once again and reopened in June 2017 at the former Mud Tavern space on Highland Avenue. The latest incarnation of the Cat is more intimate than its previous location, but long-time patrons will appreciate the dog-friendly garden patio. Kim passed away in 2001, and today Paula and their three daughters run the Cat & Fiddle with the same welcoming spirit. The menu features British staples such as Bangers & Mash, Fish & Chips, Homemade Savoury Pies, and Traditional Sunday Roast. The Cat offers an extensive selection of craft, imported and domestic beers, wines and fresh signature cocktails.
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5) CLOSE UP - HOLLYWOOD FOREVER
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| Close Up at Hollywood Forever Cemetery Instagram: @closeupthecemeterycat |
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Founded in 1899, Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the final resting place to more of Hollywood’s founders and stars than anywhere else in the world. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Hollywood Forever is featured in films such as LA Story and hosts the Cinespia outdoor movie screenings. Visitors from all over the world come to pay their respects to Golden Age Hollywood legends such as Judy Garland, Cecil B. DeMille, Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr; musicians Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland, Dee Dee and Johnny Ramone; and hundreds more.
Close Up is a resident black cat who accompanies Karie Bible on her walking tours of the cemetery. Bible named Close Up when she noticed he was often seen at DeMille's grave. "Close Up" is a nod to the final scene of Sunset Boulevard, when Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) looks at the camera and says, "All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up." Follow @closeupthecemeterycat on Instagram for pics of the photogenic kitty surveying his kingdom and posing with Bible and visitors.
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* Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board 633 West 5th Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90071, USA info@discoverlosangeles.com
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