Avoid Working At Another Coffee Shop With These 4 Alternatives
With the rise of the remote worker, there comes the need to find a place to actually work.
As someone who had a roommate setup shop in our tiny Hell’s Kitchen living room 5 days a week, I can say that sometimes working from home is not ideal… And although there’s something “quintessentially freelancer” about working in the corner café, the reality is – it’s not. With a constant barrage of coffee drinkers and limited seating, here are 4 alternative office solutions – most that cost less than your go-to coffee order.
Hotel Lobbies
If just the thought of a hotel lobby has you humming to R. Kelly, you’re not alone. However, you might be missing out on a killer working area with ambiance and free Wi-Fi to spare. There are several boutique hotels like The NoMad Hotel Library and citizenM Times Square that offer communal tables, ample seating and 24-hour food services.
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Don’t get awkward about chilling in a lobby, because hotels like the Ace Hotel in Flatiron advertise their lobby as a warm, inviting space where people are always welcome to congregate, socialize, work, or wind down. An added benefit is that happy hour always starts promptly, so get in early to crank out your work before it’s time to network.
Brand Spaces
Looking to capitalize on the remote worker, brands are getting in on co-working spaces. My favorite hidden gem is HUBseventeen located underneath the flagship lululemon store in Flatiron. To access this soft, neutral workspace – equipped with a full-service kitchen and after-hours event schedule – walk through the store to head downstairs.
The Wix Lounge, farther up in Chelsea, is a dedicated worksite for users of the web publishing platform. You can check out the space for yourself during the robust event schedule or if you have a question about your Wix’s website, there’s weekly open “office hours” with a specialist.
Co-working Offices
Sure you’ve heard about WeWork, but there are countless other co-working companies that offer a more niche environment or custom usage plan. For the physical creator designing their latest masterpiece, A/D/O in Williamsburg is a maker’s dream with 24/7 access to a full suite of fabrication equipment and onsite gallery exhibitions.
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For the yogi too busy for downward dog, workspace Primary offers daily studio classes (yoga and HIIT are the most popular) and shower facilities with your membership. For the pet lover who works crazy hours, The Farm is fur children friendly and open 24/7 so you can stay late without feeling guilty for leaving Scruffy at home.
Public Areas
A vastly underutilized resource is the New York Public Library. Obviously, client calls are a no-go, but with high-speed internet and complete silence, some people are at maximum productivity. As a fun post-work activity, use your library card (free with proof of NY address) to check out some of the best books of 2018. If you need further convincing, head to the Rose Main Reading Room and tell me you wouldn’t want to work there.
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The New York City Parks Department provides Wi-Fi in parks across the city. Here’s that list. While working in Bryant Park might not be ideal for heavy laptop users, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the sunshine while on a conference call or lunch break. You can also try the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center for a vibrant 1-1 meeting place.
