I was sitting by the bar of my B&B one afternoon when the bartender casually mentioned the "cat man down by the Westin". My ears perked up and my heart skipped a beat. Cat man? Where? He trains cats to do tricks? SIGN ME UP! I LOVE cats. I do, I just adore them. My husband, not so much. So I had to bribe him to come here. Several times through the show he whispered in my ear, "you owe me. BIG". I should admit, this was not my first cat rodeo. Several years ago I had the pleasure of seeing the Moscow Cat Circus in NYC. So that's my benchmark of a excellent cat show. Now the crazy French dude who runs this... he's no slouch in the cat training department. He puts on a good show. He's trained his cats to do all sorts of fun tricks. I don't know how people train cats. I had a cat for 12 years and I couldn't even get her to bury her own poop in the litterbox, so when someone trains a cat to climb a rope or jump through a flaming hoop I'm like, NO SHIT! THAT IS AMAZING! The dude who runs this is either acting crazy or is crazy. I think perhaps he acted crazy so long he actually became crazy, but who knows? He's more clever than me, he trains cats! It's a 20-ish minute long show and the man lives on tips, so if you watch his show toss the man some money! It is entertaining and I would recommend this to friends. Especially if you like cats. read more

Cat Man - You must see the cat man in key west! - Performing Arts Near Me - Key West, Florida

See all

Go see the sunset at Mallory Square and see the Cat Man. Then just 'stay where you arrrrrrrre' and enjoy the show. He's great. (And no, he's not crazy.) A KEY WEST MUST SEE!!!! read more

Cat Man - Performing Arts Near Me - Key West, Florida

What happened to the Dominique The Cat man show? We have visited his show in front of the Westin for years. He is the best family oriented show on Mallory Sq! We brought the kids and Grand daughters to see his show for the first time only to learn he has lost his place on the Westin Pier. When will he be back? read more

The sun sets and Mallory Square pulses. Fat cruise ship tourists push through greasy clouds of conch fritter smoke, local artists hawk their wares, or just sit, depending on how stoned they are, and a ring of hobos regard the whole scene coolly until they're hustled off by cops. Buskers of all types perform and work the crowds - the guy in a strait jacket steals a kiss from his volunteer assistant, the dog in human clothes collects dollar tips in its mouth and deposits them in his master's bucket, and the cat man parades in front of his crowd. The Cat Man is why I'm here. He is a Key West Institution, a member of the Pantheon of local legends, or at least he should be. Hemingway, the big misogynist, accomplished similar ends in his mastery of the English language, but the Cat Man speaks in broken sentences, grammatical foibles masked in a thick French accent and punchy Gallic bark. It's near the end of his show, and he's finally solicited the audience for unwitting child sacrifices. There are Cats, but the cats are secondary. Arguably, we're watching a show of performing cats - they jump through hoops and onto platforms when they feel like it, and he chides them when they do not. Really, we're all participants in a troubling social experiment. The three children selected from the audience and lined up as springboards for one of the feline performers are assaulted with conflicting commands, an angry old man, and no support from the parents who so willingly surrendered them. He shouts at them, 'Go Back to Your Seats! Stay Where you Are!' but it sounds like 'Go Bahkto Yoah SEETS, STAY wheyu AHHHH.' Wild eyes and long, tangled hair accentuate his words. The parents do nothing but laugh at their children's terror. He orders them to face some direction or another, pushes their heads down to their chests, and laments to the crowd what bad children they are. Everyone enjoys this, save for the children, brimming with tears. Their peers in the audience don't seem to acknowledge their predicament. In time, the cats prance across their young heads, the Cat Man shouts a few more intimidating commands at them, they're handed a post card as a reward, and they run back to their parents - fresh knowledge of betrayal's existence shining in their eyes. I bought a T-Shirt, which was a touristy thing to do, but I had to remember what I'd seen there. read more

If you are going to be in Key West: You. Must. See. The. Cat. Man. I thought about ending my review there, but I've thought better of it. First off, there is ANOTHER guy in Mallory Square who has cats with him. I'll save you the trouble of asking and having to look at three books of photos of his cats: This is not the Cat Man. Rule of thumb: If you are not sure, it's NOT the Cat Man. The Cat Man performs at sunset at the farthest part of Mallory Square, over the bridge and past a few restaurants. When you see the Cat Man, there will be no mistaking the fact that HE IS THE CAT MAN. Not just some guy with cats. One of the best parts of his show is watching people watch it. Some are befuddled. Some are mortified. My fiancé and I have two cats and we loved it. And now I'll end the review: Go. You can thank me later. read more

At first the show was a little funny. But then he wouldn't shut up and ruined the sunset. The cats clearly didn't want to be there and it was uncomfortable watching him push them to do things. We get the shtick, you're loud and crazy, and it's funny because they're cats. But it really wasn't that funny and was just annoying to those trying to watch the sunset and not his kinda mean to animals show. I feel ripped off even though the show was free.... read more

Best show in key west. Don't miss him. We have been coming to key west for 25 years and never miss seeing him. He trains cats he rescues and they all adore him. He is gem and Key West wouldn't be the same without him. read more

The cat man is a must see event when visiting Key West. We loved it! I have been coming to key west for years and never watched the show. My girlfriend is a cat lover so we went to check him out. Be sure to get there early so you can get a good seat. He seems like he is out there but as he will tell you. "I am purrfectly in harmony with myself." read more

Cat man .......the living legend! We go to see the Cat Man to hell with the cats besides they make me sneeze. The sun sets behind a catamaran just off Sunset Key and I can almost understand his French dialect. But no I listen carefully, intent to understand once and for all his commands to his faithful cats who make me itch....nope can't understand a thing. Kids get close and wait he asks for volunteers "I say to two kids next to me no more than 7 years of age....don't do it!" But do they listen? No they are led to an area that looks back on the faithful crowd of Cat Man enthusiast to be directed in a feline athletic and magical performance that would have Ed Sullivan trying to book the show for Sunday night. These children have no idea. Fear, parents watching their young being directed by the Cat Man. But no fear kids he's always like that and for as long as I have watched. Don't miss the Cat Man or all the other acts as you walk down the pier. And make sure you take a swig of Benadryl. read more

A must-do for any visit to Key West! He has been there for years and his kitties are just the cutest. Go to Mallory Square for sunset and make sure you don't miss his show. We had such a... unique time at his show, it made its way onto our Key West bucket list! Check out more of our faves, along with incredible photos of each! http://mrandmrsadventure.com/2015/02/12/key-west-bucket-list/ read more

Great show. Only a few people in the world managed to create Cat Circus and win cat's hearts so much that they are willing to do tricks. They won't do it "just for a treat". Dominique's cats LOVE him back. They stay around and won't run away. They enjoy themselves, the show, and the people. They actually show off - maybe this is the secret. Don't let wagging tails mislead you, they wag with excitement and are happy. Lucky cats. Amazing job. He has been doing the show since 1985. Special show; special clown! Made a trip just to see them again! Thank you Dominique! read more

It's kind of funny to be reviewing a Street Performer but when it comes to the Key West Cat Man it's kinda needed. This guy is very crazy and entertaining and performs every evening during the sunset festivities on Mallory Square. Just listen for a man yelling... "Cat Show for Cat People" In front of the Westin Hotel. The Cat Man has somehow successfully trained Cats to do crazy tricks such as: Jumping through hoops, Jumping over peoples heads etc. Overall if you go to Malory Square in the evening the Cat Man can't be missed he's a Key West legend. read more

I came for his show a number of years ago and really enjoyed it. But I was just here again last month and was telling my family about it. So we made sure to see it. I was really disappointed. As someone else said, more of his time is spent acting silly than having the cats do tricks. They used to do more. Oh well. read more

This is one of the best street performances 9n key west. Fun for the whole family. This is a most seen for anyone who comes to meet west.

This guy is awesome. I saw him 2 years ago while I was down in Key West and I've recommended him to other friends. My boyfriend and I still laugh when we look at the postcard we got of him with his cat jumping through the fire-hoops. read more

Let me start off saying that I was chosen as part of his show as an 8 year old and it was a blast. I came back this year as a grown man with my family to see the island and was able to catch his show. My wife was chosen along with a couple other members of the audience to be a part of the show, and he immediately kept hitting each person in the back of the head to "stand still" although they clearly were not moving. We counted 12 times of being smacked in the back of the head before my wife and another person simply walked away from in front of the crowd out of annoyance. He definitely seems to be losing his mind as he is much more unhinged than before or simply more desperate for an audience as it was definitely smaller than the past and they did not want to come close. It ruined our day a bit and made my wife feel gross as she was being literally repeatedly smacked by a stranger, who had visibly dirty hands, in the back of the head while in front of a crowd. Will not be returning to see his show and I advise you do the same. read more

Cat Man - Cat man literally about to smack an audience member to "stand still" as she is standing still. One of a dozen smacks he gave them that show. - Performing Arts Near Me - Key West, Florida

This is the best show in the area hands down. While some other reviewers complain about their inability to understand humor it should not sour your view on this deep thought provoking show. The cats are clearly well cared for and surprisingly well trained. Speaking with the man himself his love for the show and his cats are clear. Do yourself a favor and catch a show. They're purrfect. read more

I've seen the Cat man several times over the last 20 years and am still impressed with his cats. He's a great family act even if you can't understand stand much of what he says. More fun for kids and first timers read more

What was everyone bragging about??? This guy was WEIRD! The tricks he made with the cats were because the cats were hungry and he was giving them food! My own cats will jump cart wheels when they are hungry for food lol. But this dude was totally nutso! I actually was disappointed because my girlfriend use to love his show but apparently he is bad now... I think so lol. read more

I have tried in earnest to watch the show through the years, 3 or maybe 4 times. The cats are talented, but still are cats that lack personality and are basically aloof. The main reason I can not stand there through his short show is his weird personality. He comes across to me as disturbed or out of touch with reality. I cringe at how he doesn't get that 70% - 80% of his "stick" is absolutely lost on the audience. He is up there making unintelligible sounds and no one is laughing at what is clearly meant to be funny/amusing. I have seen people walk away a few times from the act, prior to its conclusion, seemingly because they are in as much pain as I am while viewing the "madness". The act would greatly improve if the cat man just dropped the cats off and let them do their act without him or the madness. If the cats are truly that talented, they will do just fine without him, and then they can keep the tips to themselves. How he draws anyone in and they actually stand there for 10 minutes is beyond my comprehension. They must be better at "suffering fools gladly" than I am! One would think that he would solicit feedback as to what works and what doesn't work for the show. He clearly doesn't pay attention to the audience's lack of reaction to his disturbed actions. Oh, and by the way, those socks are really tired after years of wearing them... how often do they get washed?? If you have kids, send them over to watch- just once though... and you go get a drink so you're not sorry about the 10 minutes of your life you will never get back watching Key Weird's weirdest one in action. read more

This show is wonderful. You will constantly hear of people who come from all over to see the show that they've heard so much about about, see it again, or that they used to take their children to watch him on vacation and now their children bring their grandchildren to see him on vacation. Do yourself a favor and go! (This show is also the same as Dominique's Circus Cats, which has been reviewed separately) read more

Must see. Add it to the bucketlist of things to experience. His french fueled laughter will get imprinted on you for years to come. The cats are flame jumping entertaining goodness. Grab a beer watch the sunset and a cat jumping through the flame hoop. Clap clap clap! read more

The Cat Man is wonderful!! We were in Key West in September 2009 and happened to catch the show by total mistake and sooo happy we did! It is truly amazing how he does this act with cats!! The stars of the show were absolutely wonderfull,beautiful and very friendly! I can not say enough good about him and the cats! If you are in Key West definitely go to Mallory Square and catch his act you will be amazed and delighted!! read more

A short show but lots of fun. The guy hams it up a lot and is just as nutty and entertaining as his cats. The whole of Mallory square is full of entertainers so grab a beer and take a walk around there at sundown. read more

Not sure why there is so much hype about this show!! Barely any of the time is spent with cats doing tricks most of the time is catman acting very silly or pushing you to buy his goods/give him more money. I was shocked when the show ended to me he barely did anything with the cats! I didn't like the condition that the cats were in you could see they had poor coats and one cat was clearly sick (sneezing, looked de-hydrated). Avoid. read more

Equal parts hilarious and stunning. This guy was a true highlight of my trip.

I saw the cat man about 15 years ago and was impressed and thrilled by the show. Cats flying through flaming hoops was amazing. This year I was excited to see his cat man again. Excitement turned to dismay 60 seconds into the show. This man is crazy - really. He runs around yelling at the crowd. Nothing he does or says is funny. The first cat presented (honeybun) was practically bald. The cat man explained he had lost his hair from fleas and was on antibiotics. (Really!). Still the cat was presented to perform and was clearly pissed as his tail whipped continually. During his act he attempted to bite and scratch the cat man. His double roll was a half roll. This cat was not happy. At this point I couldn't watch any longer and left. I am sure the cat man was an incredible trainer in his day. But he has clearly lost his marbles. I feel sorry for the cats and wonder how these cats are being treated. Time too retire. I do not recommend this act if you are an animal lover. read more