So I needed spot to work for a few hours — too much access to Christmas cookies and other distractions and did not do so well. Here’s where I went, and where I considered going. Curious what else folks have figured out.
I am not counting the coffee shops, since I wanted a good three-hour block. But I have gotten some work done at Laughing Man and Kaffe south.
New Amsterdam Library | The New York Public Library
9 Murray
Monday to Thursday, 10a to 7p
Friday and Saturday, 10a to 5p
The library was packed when I went so I left. Nearly every seat was taken and I wanted one of the hightops on the south side, so I could face the wall and not another patron.
UPSIDE: Quiet and conducive to work
DOWNSIDE: No eating or drinking
Battery Park City Library | The New York Public Library
175 North End Avenue at Murray
Monday and Wednesday, 10a to 6p
Tuesday and Thursday, 11a to 7p
Friday and Saturday, 10a to 5p
UPSIDE: Quiet and conducive to work
DOWNSIDE: No eating or drinking. A bit smelly
Poet’s House
10 River Terrace at Murray
Tuesday to Saturday, 10a to 7p
I have a friend who worked here regularly pre-pandemic. Will try it soon.
Whole Foods Cafe
Upstairs on the highway side
7a to 10p, seven days
UPSIDE: Snack access, some outlets for charging
DOWNSIDE: It was kind of a nightmare up here. Babies crying, people playing their phones out loud, talking on the phone. There were seats, but the only one that gave you some isolation were the few on the north windows
Hudson Eats
Upstairs at the Winter Garden in Brookfield Place
Monday to Saturday, 10a to 8p
UPSIDE: Food nearby and great views
DOWNSIDE: No outlets, noise
Brookfield Place
Upstairs from the Vesey side of the shopping mall
I think the mall closes at 8p??
UPSIDE: Quiet and comfortable with cushy chairs; no one is up there
DOWNSIDE: No outlets.
I love the Roxy Hotel – it’s quiet, good wifi, bathrooms and optional food from Jack’s or the hotel!
Ole & Steen has a quiet basement room that’s always empty – downside no windows, but quiet, good coffee and food, close to everything
Trinity place can be a nice place to hang out – but it is more of a public setting.
I enjoy going to split eights in FIdi – very quiet, good coffee but minimal snacks!
I find that Kaffe North is actually more conducive to getting work done, although you’ll need a personal hotspot. It’s more quiet *because* they don’t offer guest wifi.
There’s a number of coworking spaces that offer one-off drop-ins for a couple of hours or for the day.
– The row of seating outside Hutch and Waldo / Jack’s Hair Salon
– 2nd floor Starbucks on Dey St
– Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee on Reade St
– PAC Lounge
– Conrad Hotel Lobby
– Joe & The Juice in Oculus / Brookfield connection
– Frenchette Bakery, Takahachi Bakery
– Della’s in the early afternoon?
I’ve been meaning to check out Trinity Commons and see if they offer any space just to work / study.
Wow, realizing how much third place spaces we’ve lost in the neighborhood over the years.