Boris & Horton, The First “Dog Café”

By Joy and Brian Pape

What a delight to drop in to the newly reopened “dog café” on a rainy afternoon. The place was full of dogs and their owners, all merrily socializing with one another. We’ve seen people at restaurants with their pets in tow but never with the freedom that we saw at Boris & Horton. After a two-week closure, as reported by Tehsin Pala in the local paper Our Town, Boris & Horton reopened with community support in fund-raising and with a new business model.

Village View visited with Logan Mikhly to learn what makes Boris & Horton so special.

VV: What’s in the name “Boris & Horton?”
LM: Boris is my dad’s dog and Horton is my dog. I own the cafe with my father, Coppy Holzman, and we have close to 30 staff members. 

VV: Is Boris & Horton the first dog cafe?
LM: We’re the first NYC Department of Health (DOH) approved dog-friendly cafe in the city. We’re the only place where your dog can run around and socialize while you eat and drink in a clean and temperature-controlled environment. 

VV: What are the new changes to the business model?
LM: We’re now doing a suggested visit fee of $5 without a dog and $10 with a dog. The fee is similar to many museums’ “pay what you wish” model. 

VV: How crowded does it get?
LM: Our peak times are midday on weekends. We get close to our capacity of 55 people in the East Village and 74 people in Williamsburg.  We have tables inside…and a few outside.

Logan sent us to the NYC DOH website to see the requirements for dog cafes:

“Indoor establishments that provide space for people and pets to interact — commonly called dog or cat “cafés” — have opened in New York City, but the name “café” is confusing! Dog or cat “cafés” do not prepare or serve food or drink for consumption by humans. Here is how these businesses work:

• There must be no doorway or other way to move directly from the business that allows pets to the restaurant or other food service establishment without first exiting outside.
• Staff of the business that allows pets must not have any work responsibilities that require them to enter any food service establishment.
• Any food or drink consumed by humans at the business that allows pets can only be brought there by the customer. Food or drink for human consumption cannot be directly offered, sold or served at a business that allows pets.”Here’s how Boris & Horton complies with these rules. Their layout is actually two establishments, side by side. The corner spot is a regular human café with a broad offering of sandwiches, salads, coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer and wine. Then right next door, with a separate entry, is the doggie “café” where humans can bring their dogs, food and drink to hang out. There are lots of merchandise and dog specialties to purchase. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with or without a dog companion.

Learn more at: Borisandhorton.com
NYC Health Dog and Cat “Cafes”