Rainy afternoons get a lot more interesting when board games, tasty snacks, and adorable rescue cats are all waiting under one roof. At The Scratching Post CU in Champaign, visitors can browse a collection of more than 500 games, settle in with a drink, or spend time getting to know cats searching for permanent homes.
The University Avenue hangout combines the cozy atmosphere of a neighborhood café with the fun of a game night and the heartwarming experience of meeting adoptable animals. Whether you come with friends or simply need a break from the weather, this unusual Illinois spot makes staying indoors feel like the best possible plan.
A Board Game Wall That Stops You at the Door
Shelves. That is the first thing your eyes land on when you step inside. Rows and rows of board game boxes climb the wall, stacked so tightly that the colorful spines almost look like wallpaper.
For a game lover, the effect is a little dizzying. You might spot a classic you played as a kid sitting right next to a strategy game you have only seen online. The collection runs into the hundreds, which means you could visit every week for a long time and still find something new.
The front room is built around this library. Tables sit at a comfortable height, chairs and couches are spread out, and there is enough room between seats that a big group can spread out a game board without bumping elbows with strangers.
Using the library on the cafe side costs a small flat fee, around five dollars. That fee covers your access to the full wall, so you can try one game, decide it is not your style, and swap it for another without paying again.
Not sure where to start? Staff members can point you toward something that fits your group. Quick party games work well for loud friends, while slower puzzle games suit a quiet afternoon for two.
Rainy days fill this room fast, especially in the late afternoon when classes let out nearby. If you want a big table, show up close to opening time.
Grab your box, pick a seat by the window, and get ready for a surprise. On the other side of that glass, a cat might be watching your every move from a high shelf, tail swinging like a tiny pendulum.
Inside the Cat Lounge, Where the Rafters Have Residents
Look up. Seriously, before you even sit down in the cat lounge, tilt your head back, because some of the residents are napping on walkways that run along the rafters overhead.
The back room was clearly designed with cat behavior in mind. Cats love height, hiding spots, and choices, and this space gives them all three. There are shelves on the walls, hanging nets, beds tucked into corners, towers, and one standout piece: a giant cat tree shaped like a real tree, trunk and branches included.
Around 25 to 30 cats can be in the lounge at once. That sounds like chaos, yet the room usually stays surprisingly calm. Cats who want attention wander up to you, and cats who want a break can climb out of reach.
Humans get plenty of comfort too. Couches, chairs, and benches are scattered around, so you can sit back and let the cats come to you instead of chasing them around the room.
Toys are provided, from wands to small balls, and the energetic cats will happily play until your arm gets tired. There is even a cat TV that keeps some of the younger ones busy.
The room stays very clean, and the smell is minimal for a space with so many animals. Good ventilation helps a lot here.
Some cats with special needs or shy personalities may have their own quieter area. One has been known to live in a separate room with her own radio playing music, her own furniture, and toys. It is a small detail, but it shows how much thought went into giving each cat a space that suits it.
Cold Brew, Apple Pie Chai, and Snacks for the Game Table
Board games make people hungry. Long strategy games can stretch past an hour, and nobody wants to stop mid-turn to hunt for food down the street.
The front counter handles that with a small, well-chosen menu. Specialty drinks are the main event here, and the names alone are fun to read. The faux-ca blends hot cocoa with coffee for a mocha-style treat, while the apple pie chai tastes like a fall dessert in a mug.
Cold brew is another strong pick, smooth and great for keeping your brain sharp during a tricky game. Tea is available too, and a hot mug is a nice thing to hold while you wait for your cat room reservation on a gray day.
For adults, there is also alcohol on the menu. That makes evening game nights feel a little more like a relaxed hangout with friends.
There is no full kitchen, so do not expect burgers or pizza. Instead, you will find a variety of packaged snacks that are easy to eat without making a mess of your game cards.
Prices stay reasonable, which helps when you are already paying for game access or cat time. A drink and a snack will not wreck a student budget.
While you are at the counter, glance at the shelves nearby. Cat-themed items, little trinkets, and gifts are for sale, and they make easy souvenirs for the cat lover in your life who could not come along. Order first, then pick your game. Your drink will be ready by the time you finish reading the rules.
Meet Bastet and Friends, Every One Hoping for a Home
Bastet is gray, soft, and known for climbing straight into laps. She is also one of many cats at The Scratching Post who are waiting for a family of their own.
Every cat in the lounge is adoptable. That changes the whole visit. You are not just petting cats for fun, you are helping them get used to people, and you might be meeting a future pet.
Adopting through a cat cafe has a real advantage over picking from a cage. You get to watch a cat act naturally. You can see whether it is playful or calm, whether it likes other cats, and whether it prefers cuddles or a game of chase.
The mix of personalities is wide. Some cats follow visitors around asking for more pets. Others would rather pounce on a toy than sit still. A few treat the room like their own private kingdom.
Watch out for the thieves. Certain cats have a habit of stealing seats and even jackets. The usual payment for getting your stuff back is a few good scratches behind the ears.
If a cat catches your heart, ask a staff member about the adoption process. They know each cat well and can tell you about its history, health, and habits.
Even if you cannot adopt, your visit still helps. Cat room fees support the space where these animals live while they wait, and every friendly person teaches a shy cat that humans can be trusted. Just be careful. Plenty of visitors walk in saying they are only looking and walk out filling in paperwork.
A Smart Setup for Allergies, Wheelchairs, and Cat Comfort
Sneezing ruins a game night fast. Here, the two halves of the building are kept apart, and that one choice solves a lot of problems.
The front cafe and the back cat lounge are separate spaces. The staff works to keep the cafe side free from cat dander, so friends with allergies can play games and drink coffee without itchy eyes.
Big windows connect the rooms visually, though. From the game tables, you can watch cats climbing and napping without ever stepping inside. If the cat room is fully booked, a seat by that window is the next best thing.
Accessibility also gets real attention. The front door has a push-button opener, the floor plan is open and easy to move through, and the tables sit at a good height for wheelchairs.
Restrooms are single-person and gender-neutral, with a changing station in one of them. The building uses thick reclaimed doors, which add character to the decor.
Before anyone enters the cat lounge, staff walks guests through the basics. You will see photos and videos showing what an upset cat looks like, such as flattened ears or a twitching tail. Learning those signs keeps both you and the cats happy.
The team also points out any cats who need extra care or space that day. New arrivals, for example, may need time to settle before meeting lots of strangers.
It is a short talk, but it makes a difference. Guests head into the lounge knowing how to read the room, and the cats get visitors who respect their boundaries.
Planning Your Champaign, Illinois Cat Cafe Visit
Timing is everything at 114 E University Ave. Walk in on a rainy Saturday without a plan, and you may end up watching the cats through glass instead of petting them.
Here is the schedule. The cafe opens Wednesday through Saturday from 2 to 10 pm. Sunday starts later, at 5:20 pm, and runs until 10. Monday and Tuesday are closed, so do not make the drive on those days.
The cat lounge requires reservations, and slots fill up quickly. Booking ahead is the safest move, especially on weekends and during busy university weeks when visiting families are in town.
The cafe side is different. No reservation is needed to grab a drink or pull a game off the shelf, so you can stop in anytime during open hours.
A smart combo is to reserve a cat room slot, then arrive early. Order something warm, start a quick card game, and let the staff call you when your time comes.
Couples and grown-up friend groups should look for the age 18 and up sessions. These quieter time slots make a relaxed date night without little kids racing around the room.
Price-wise, this is one of the pricier cat cafes around, mostly because of the cat room fee. Most visitors find the clean space and careful animal care make that cost easy to accept.
Downtown parking can take a few minutes to sort out, so give yourself a cushion before your reservation. Missing part of a cat session because you circled the block is a sad way to start an afternoon.
Why Downtown Champaign Got Luckier With This Spot
Champaign waited a while for a cat cafe. When this one finally opened, locals quickly started bringing every out-of-town visitor through its doors.
A big reason is Rebecca, the owner. She is a regular presence in the space, chatting with guests and answering questions. Her care shows in small choices, like the separate quiet room for a shy cat and the training videos about cat body language.
Plenty of places add cats as a gimmick. Here, the animals clearly come first. They look healthy, groomed, and relaxed, which is not easy with so many cats sharing one room.
The humans are not an afterthought either. The decor has a playful cat theme everywhere you turn, the seating is comfortable, and the whole building feels warm and tidy instead of cluttered.
Then there is the community side. A shelf of hundreds of games turns strangers into teammates. Friends meet up after class, families kill time on wet weekends, and couples test their teamwork over cooperative games.
The place mixes three things that rarely share a roof: a real game cafe, a snack bar, and a working adoption space. Each part could stand on its own. Together, they give you a reason to come back whether you want cats, games, or just a good cup of chai.
So next time clouds roll over the cornfields and the forecast turns gloomy, skip the couch. Head downtown, grab a game, and keep an eye on the rafters. Somebody up there with whiskers might be choosing you.
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