New York, the city that never sleeps. As the city is slowly reopening, many people are still stuck at home, dealing with nosy neighbors, loud music, untamable kids, or overly excited pets – a New York apartment might not be an ideal place to get stuff done. No wonder you’re looking for the best cafes to work in NYC. Even if you’re only yearning for some company and a good cup of coffee, these top picks won’t let you down. And if none of them are in your vicinity, maybe it’s time to start searching for some moving companies in New York.
There are plenty of cafes to get stuff done in NY
1. For the Best Cup of Coffee, Go to Devoción
These farm-to-table roasters source their beans ethically and directly from Columbia, making them a great choice for socially-conscious coffee lovers! The cold brew is out of this world, and there are also great food options. With exposed bricks, leather couches, huge skylights, and an incredible indoor garden with an 18-feet-tall fish palm tree, Devoción stands out with its interior design.
The atmosphere here is great for working – it’s peaceful, the music is not loud, and neither are the customers since many of them are there with their laptops. No wonder this is considered to be one of the best coffee shops to work in NYC. The company has locations in Manhattan (Flatiron & Nomad) and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, but we like the one located in Downtown Brooklyn, at the base of a luxury apartment building. Open from 7 AM to 7 PM.
The Wifi Is Free, but It’s Down on Weekends
WiFi is available on weekdays. However, they shut it down on weekends, so if you need the Internet to get the job done, don’t go there on weekends. Instead, catch up with a friend over a drink or read that book you never finished!
2. The Neighborhood’s Favorite in Chelsea and Foursquare’s Best-Rated – Intelligentsia Coffee
Many New Yorkers were happy when Chicago’s Intelligentsia roasters, famous for their espresso, opened the NY branch in the lobby of the High Line Hotel in Chelsea, which itself is pretty vibrant, so you can find both tourists and locals. It consists of an indoor and outdoor area with a beautiful courtyard where you can buy coffee from a vintage truck. That’s also where you can shop for their famous Black Cat espresso blend beans.
This is the perfect choice for an outdoor meet-up with friends when the weather is good. The inside is rustic with a European vibe. There’s free WiFi and you can treat yourself to a beer after a job well done since they serve it in the evening. The decor changes throughout the year, but the exceptional quality stays the same all year long!
Pets Are Welcome Guests
The bar is pet-friendly, and you will often see locals coming with their dogs. If you have a furry friend and you want to bring it along, look no more. There are treats for them, too, and they seem to like it there. So, if you’re moving with pets, have that in mind!
A perfect pet-friendly paradise with lots of space in the courtyard.
3. Make the World a Little Better With a Cup of Coffee from Housing Works Bookstore Cafe & Bar
If you share the passion of helping others, this is the place for you. The Housing Works Bookstore Cafe & Bar is run by volunteers and all the proceeds go to those battling HIV/AIDS and homelessness. The books are all donated and you can buy them for as little as a dollar or donate some you don’t need. It is spacious and quiet most of the time, which makes it one of the best cafes for working in NYC. However, on some nights, they host low-cost events you might want to visit on your night off or avoid if you need to work. They are currently closed due to COVID-19 but are set to open on October 30, 2020.
Socially-conscious roasters and book lovers
4. Affordable and Laid-Back Grounded Organic Coffee & Tea House
Let’s face it – NY is not a cheap place to live (or work remotely) in. So, if you are on a tight budget and just want a good cup and a cozy space where you can sit with your laptop without feeling stressed or awkward – you’ll blend right in. Their coffee art is not ace and the interior isn’t polished but it is a popular coffice with a homey, neighborhood vibe where work gets done. If you’re living in Manhattan, you might become a regular. The downside of it being one of the best cafes to work in NYC is that it’s sometimes crowded, so it would be best to go there early. It is open from 7 AM to 9 PM.
You can also grab a bite to eat in this popular cafe frequented by laptop workers
5. Most Instgrammable – the Butcher’s Daughter
The aesthetically pleasing decor with skylights, hanging plants and industrial-chic design comes off effortlessly sophisticated yet comfortable and – no wonder it’s Instagram famous! The atmosphere is laid back with a trendy vibe. If you are an artist or if you just want to take Instagram-worthy photos, you’ll like this bar. It has equally Instagrammable food with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. It’s a bit on the expensive side. However, most agree that it is worth the price. If you are living in Brooklyn or hiring New York movers to get you there, check out the one on Metropolitan Ave.
Insta-ready space and food with plenty of vegan options that even the meat-lovers like!
6. Burning the Midnight Oil at Molasses Books
Located between residential buildings on Hart Street in Bushwick, it has a bit of an unkempt look to it, with its dusty windows and seemingly unpretentious design, but that is the charm of this cozy bookstore & cafe. It is small, but it has space to seat around 20 people. It has a wide selection of books for avid readers to shop, the prices are affordable and the owners even let you barter books for a drink. The atmosphere is relaxed and it is open until 12 AM, but there’s also a sign that says ’no laptop after 8’.
A cozy retreat where night owls can stay until midnight
Some Other Locations for Night Owls to Get Things Done Late at Night
Honorable mention of other places with free WiFi that are open late you might like:
The Lobby Bar in Ace Hotel in Midtown Manhattan – open until 2am Sunday-Wednesday, 3am Thursday-Saturday
The city is no stranger to coffices, and with the redefining of the business style and remote work gaining popularity or prevalence (given the circumstances), plenty of spaces are being turned into office spaces and many more are popping up all around. As many New Yorkers know, there’s something quite exciting about discovering your favorite cafe or stumbling upon a hidden gem. If you are planning to move to a new home in New York, hopefully, this article will give you some insight into NYC’s coffice scene. And if you are still stuck in the moving process and on a search for New York moving services, visit our website and contact us if we can help. The Big Apple is ready for you and so are we!