The Freelancer’s Guide to Coffee Shops in NYC

By Kelsey Nguyen

No cubicle? No problem. When you’re a freelancer, the world is your office. Whether that be your kitchen table or a beach-side restaurant in Thailand (if only), the beauty of working freelance is that you’re never chained to one location. Obviously, coffee shops make for prime work spaces—but in a city like New York, the endless array of options can be daunting. From one caffeine addict to another, here are five freelance-friendly cafés where you can get your work grind on.

The Coffee Foundry
A coffee shop by day, karaoke bar by night. The environment is incredibly work-friendly—you’ll find plenty of outlets, bar counter seating, a quiet atmosphere, and many others people typing and creating away. Need to rent a private room? You can nab your own work cave at $10 per hour. 186 W. 4th St, New York, NY 10014

Spreadhouse Coffee
This is a freelancer’s paradise—speedy Wi-Fi, treats from Dough, and a varied selection of coffee, tea, and yes, even beer. Plus, there’s lots of comfortable seating, from communal tables to couches to bar seating. Mellow tunes from indie acts like Devendra Banhart and Beach House make for a relaxing soundtrack. Feel free to visit briefly or hang around all afternoon—the baristas won’t mind either way. 116 Suffolk St, New York, NY 10002

Sweetleaf
With two outposts in Brooklyn, Sweetleaf is the perfect work haven thanks to its ample seating, fast Wi-Fi, and open warehouse space. The coffee menu offers more than just your typical fare—try a maple chicory combo or the Voodoo Child for a Vietnamese-style cold brew. And seriously, you won’t want to miss out on the vegan and gluten-free pastries while you’re there. 159 Freeman St, Brooklyn, NY 11222 (See sweetleafcoffee.com for additional locations.)

Devocion
Catch up on emails at this lush garden oasis, complete with a grand skylight, plant wall, and serene vibes (um, is this still New York?). Sip on a latte, juice, or tea and fuel up on tantalizing croissants and sandwiches. Note: Wi-Fi is only available on weekdays and outlets are available along the walls. 69 Grand Street, Williamsburg, NY 11249

Ost Café
This place is bright, airy, and perfect for Instagramming. Natural lighting, leather interiors, and marble touches make it the perfect space to get your creative juices going. Just be aware Wi-Fi is only available on weekdays, and outlets and tables can be difficult to hunt down during rush hour, so it’s best you come early to snag your own space. 441 E. 12th St, New York, NY 10009

Kelsey Nguyen is a freelance writer and style and travel blogger behind Runaway In LA. She slaves over schoolwork by day and dreams in Instagram filters by night. With her heart in California and mind in New York, she aspires to one day work as a magazine editor slash vagabond blogger. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.