NYC’s First Dog Cafe: Black Lab Cafe For Human And Dogs

Black Lab Cafe has just opened on the Upper West Side, with delicacies menus for humans and their dog friends. It’s designed to be the first java joint of the canine kind.

Kris Powers said, “We just said to each other, ‘If nobody else is doing it, we might as well open one up ourselves,’ and Black Lab Cafe was born.” He opened this cafe with his brother Nik. The family’s black labs — mother, Lise Evans, Daisy, 5.5, and Lola, 1.5 — act as mascots for the business.

Owners and dogs enter through a hall with two doors — a security measure in case any dogs make a run for it. There’s then a seating area for animals of all types. It connects to a second section through another glass hall, where humans can order coffee and food to bring back to the table area to enjoy with their patiently awaiting pup.

According to the health department rules, dogs are not allowed in the food-ordering area, but owners can see their pets through a glass enclosure while waiting for food and drink.

Pups can enjoy gourmet meals from the Powers’ company, Clean Bowl Club NYC, while humans get espresso drinks and stone street coffee. The menu will soon be extended to have chia puddings, smoothies, sandwiches, and alcoholic drinks for happy hours.

A set of posted regulations advises customers to “play nice,” avoid humping, clean up any accidents and call the “dog bouncer” — one of the owners — if any help is required.

The Powers family first got interested in the doggie business when they started the Clean Bowl Club NYC in November 2020. When taking Daisy to the vet, they realized that the dry kibble they fed her daily was highly processed and saturated with vitamin and mineral powders rather than natural or fresh ingredients.

Kris said, “It made us feel increasingly guilty about the kibble we had fed her while she was a puppy.” “We knew that we would not consider a similar diet for ourselves and decided we had to do better by Daisy.”

With the help of James Pendergast, the dog nutrition expert formulated dog foods made with fresh vegetables, turkey, beef, and chicken. The refrigerated, ready-to-serve meals are made fresh daily and range in price from $6 for 8 ounces to $18 for 24 ounces. Customers can buy the food from the shop or have frozen batches delivered.

So far, neighborhood pets and people are loving the cafe.

Six-year-old Yorkie twins Lilo and Stitch give the cafe “two paws up,” according to owner Jacqueline City, 25, who praised the calm environment and good coffee.

Kim, who frequents the cafe with her Yorkshire terrier-Maltese mix Rocky, 3 1/2, but refused to give her last name, described it as “a great addition to the Upper West Side for dog owners.”

She added, “It’s so fun to be able to have a great cup of coffee and pastries while Rocky meets other dogs.”